CHARACTERIZING THE ROLES OF LIFE STAGE AND SEASON ON THE PREVALENCE OF ACHETA DOMESTICUS DENSOVIRUS IN ACHETA DOMESTICUS ON A COMMERCIAL CRICKET FARM IN THE USA

The primary goal of this study it to characterize the roles of life stage and season on the prevalence of Acheta domesticus densovirus (AdDV) in Acheta domesticus crickets. Accomplishing the goal of this study will provide preliminary insight into the prevalence of an economically important virus in an emerging income producing species at one of the largest cricket farms in the USA. This will represent the first attempt to systematically characterize the prevalence of this virus in the USA. Further, this study will be the first to characterize the role of life stage or season (temperature) in the epidemiology of this virus. Calculating an apparent prevalence for AdDV in crickets is an important benchmark as it can be used to determine true risk, especially if there are life-stage or seasonal differences. Knowledge of the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with the viruses will also enable individuals in the industry to develop biosecurity and management methods to minimize the impact of AdDV in the future.