AbstractBACKGROUNDChrysodeixis chalcites (Esper) is a major pest of tomato in Mediterranean countries and attacks banana in the Canary Islands (Spain). The efficacy of Chrysodeixis chalcites single nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChchSNPV‐TF1) was evaluated in plant growth chambers and greenhouse trials performed on tomato and banana plants respectively. Treatments were applied using a compressed air sprayer.RESULTSMean (± SE) lethal infection varied from 77 ± 10% to 94 ± 3% in second‐instar larvae fed for 2 days on tomato plants treated with 2 × 106 to 5 × 107 virus occlusion bodies (OBs) L−1, increasing to ∼100% infection after 7 days. Mortality of larvae collected from banana at different intervals post‐application varied from 54 ± 10% to 96 ± 4% in treatments involving 1 × 108–1 × 109 OBs L−1, whereas indoxacarb (Steward 30% WG) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Biobit 16% WP) treatments produced between 22 ± 6% and 32 ± 5% pest mortality. All treatments significantly reduced plant defoliation compared with untreated controls. Application of 1 × 109 OBs L−1 was 3–4‐fold more effective than chemical or B. thuringiensis treatments. Larvae acquired lethal infection more rapidly when feeding on tomato than banana plants, but this difference disappeared following >60 min of feeding.CONCLUSIONThis information should prove useful in the registration of ChchSNPV‐TF1 as a bioinsecticide in the Canary Islands and Europe. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry