title: Toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis beta-exotoxin to three species of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae).
abstract: The current study describes toxic effects of the Bacillus thuringiensis beta-exotoxin toward 3rd instars of 3 fruit fly species: Anastrepha ludens (Loew), A. obliqua (Macquart), and A. serpentina (Wiedemann). The beta-exotoxin was highly toxic to all 3 species tested, with LC50 values calculated as 0.641, 0.512, and 0.408 microgram/cm2 of filter paper used to expose the larvae, for A. ludens, A. obliqua, and A. serpentina, respectively. Exposure to beta-exotoxin was associated with an increase in the incidence of deformed pupae. The adult survivors from beta-exotoxin treatments showed no negative effects in terms of their longevity, fecundity, or egg eclosion (fertility). We conclude that the beta-exotoxin may have potential as a control agent for fruit fly pests.
authors.affiliation: El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Chiapas, Mexico.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liedo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ibarra
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004175:Diptera / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D013045:Species Specificity; D013400:Sugar Acids
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D013400:Sugar Acids; C068295:thuringiensin; D000241:Adenosine