Oryctes nudivirus (OrNV) is a classical biocontrol agent for the rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, a notorious oil palm pest. The propagation of Malaysian OrNV types A, B and C in cell line DSIR-HA-1179 was determined. Successful replication of OrNV in the cell line was confirmed by the appearance of cytopathic effects (CPE), Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and the reduction in viable cell density of the infected cells relative to the healthy cells. The virulence of the cells-propagated OrNV was then compared to the freshly-prepared OrNV on the rhinoceros beetle. Both sources of OrNV were capable of causing mortality and infectivity on rhinoceros beetle and the feeding behaviour of the infected neonates was greatly affected. The results indicated that OrNV developed in cell culture is infectious on the beetle and that the mass production of the virus in the future requires a standard assessment process.