Detection and Assay of Tipula Iridescent Virus by the Latex Agglutination Test

The use of the latex agglutination test to assay Tipula iridescent virus (TIV) and to detect its presence in infected insects is described. The effects of varying proportions of virus and antibody-sensitized latex, type of plate, shaking, and incubation temperature were investigated, and the optimum conditions for the reaction of antibody-sensitized latex particles with TIV were determined. Precautions which must be taken to prevent and detect non-specific positive results are described. The sensitivity of the latex test is compared with that of the tube precipitation test and an ID50 determination in Tipula oleracea larvae.