Virus-like particles in the ovaries of Microctonus aethiopoides Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of adult weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

• Published in: Journal of invertebrate pathology Vol. 73; no. 2; pp. 182 - 188
• Main Authors: Barratt, B.I.P, Evans, A.A, Stoltz, D.B, Vinson, S.B, Easingwood, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.03.1999
• Subjects: anatomy and morphology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological control; Braconidae; Control; Curculionidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; host range; Insecta; Invertebrates; Microctonus aethiopiodes; Microctonus aethiopoides; ovaries; parasites; parasites of insect pests; parasitoids; Pathology; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Protozoa. Invertebrates; sitona discoideus; ultrastructure; viral morphology; virus replication; virus-like particles; Coleoptera; Insecta; Biological control; Virus like particle; Ovary; Histopathology; Transmission electron microscopy; Parasitoid; Entomophagous; Ultrastructure; Arthropoda; Morphology; Female genital system; Curculionidae; Hymenoptera; Invertebrata; Braconidae
• ISSN: 0022-2011; 1096-0805
• DOI: 10.1006/jipa.1998.4826

The morphology of the female reproductive system of Microctonus aethiopoides is described and illustrated, and an ultrastructural examination of the ovaries was carried out. Virus-like particles (VLPs) were initially found in the ovarial epithelial cells of females from pre-adult emergence from the pupal cocoon until at least 5 days after emergence. The particles assembled in the nucleus of the epithelial cells, apparently being synthesized de novo in association with a putative virogenic stroma, and they moved into the lumen of the ovarioles surrounding the developing eggs. VLPs were also found in some other cells in both male and female M. aethiopoides. VLPs have not been found in M. hyperodae or the New Zealand native species M. zealandicus. The function of the VLP and its possible role in potential parasitoid host range determination are discussed.