Studies on a new isolate of an entomopoxvirus possessing two types of occlusion bodies found in the locust Cataloipus fuscocoeruleipes

Abstract An entomopoxvirus was isolated from a locust, Cataloipus fuscocoeruleipes (Eyprepocnemidinae, Acrididae) collected in Yemen Arab Republic. The morphology of the entomopoxvirus has been studied by light and electron microscopy. Infection was found only in the fat body, and developing virus and occlusion bodies were observed in the cytoplasm of infected cells. Two types of occlusion bodies (virus containing occlusions and occlusions devoid of virus particles) were observed. Data on their sizes and shapes are given. The virus particles (virions) were oval in shape with rectangular nucleoprotein core, measuring on average 0.5 μm in length and 0.3 μm in width.