Cellular reactions of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) infected with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus involving haemocyte dynamics

摘要

Cellular defence mechanisms against nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) pathogenicity in older larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) was studied in terms of total haemocyte counts (THC) and differential haemocyte counts (DHC). There was a general decline in THC in response to NPV in both young and old larvae. Nevertheless, the decrease was greater in young larvae. DHC did not show any significant role by granulocytes and plasmatocytes (immunocytes) in the defence mechanism operating in the older insects.