Atypical pathogenesis of DsCPV-1 in candidate for mass production <i>Manduca sexta</i> (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Recently obtained cypovirus strain DsCPV-1 shows potential as a biological insecticide, with its alternative host Manduca sexta (L.) being a promising producer. We confirmed DsCPV-1 replication in M. sexta by quantitative PCR, validating DsCPV-1's suitability as a biological producer. At the terminal infection stage, we revealed many nonoccluded DsCPV-1 virions by transmission electron microscopy, indicating virus replication with reduced or without polyhedron formation in this alternative host.