title: Characterization of a Small RNA-Containing Virus in Field-Collected Larvae of the Tussock Moth, Lymantria ninayi, from Papua New Guinea.
abstract: Field-collected larvae of the tussock moth, Lymantria ninayi, a major pest of exotic pines in Papua New Guinea, were found to contain a small RNA-containing virus with a diameter of 29 nm and a buoyant density of 1.32 g/ml. The RNA was single stranded, had a molecular weight of 2.8 x 10, and was polyadenylated. Virion RNA stimulated an in vitro translation system, and high-molecular-weight proteins were produced. Purified virions contained four structural proteins with molecular weights of 43,000, 38,000, 33,000, and 32,000. The virus reacted positively with antisera raised against a strain of Drosophila C virus. The properties of this virus indicate that it should be placed in the family Picornaviridae.
authors.affiliation: NERC Institute of Virology, Oxford OX1 3SR, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pullin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Entwistle
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Moore