DNA insecticides based on iap3 gene fragments of cabbage looper and gypsy moth nuclear polyhedrosis viruses show selectivity for non-target insects

DNA insecticides are novel preparations based on short single-stranded fragments of anti-apoptotic (IAP) genes of nuclear polyhedrosis viruses. In this article we report about the harmlessness of the DNA insecticides based on single-stranded fragments of the LdMNPV (Lymantria dispar multiple nucleocapsid polyhedrosis virus) IAP3 gene for tobacco hornworm and black cutworm, and present the first evidence of significant insect-specific insecticidal effect of single-stranded TnSNPV (Trichoplusia ni single nucleocapsid polyhedrosis virus) IAP3 gene fragments on the viability of cabbage looper and their harmlessness for black cutworm and wheat weevil. Our results show that DNA insecticides based on LdMNPV IAP3 and TnSNPV IAP3 gene fragments can be selective in action and have potential use in insect pest control.