title: Pathogenicity of bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila isolated from entomopathogenic nematode (Steinernema carpocapsae) and its secretion against Galleria mellonella larvae.
abstract: The entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila was isolated from the hemolymph of Galleria mellonella infected with Steinernema carpocapsae. The bacterial cells and its metabolic secretions have been found lethal to the Galleria larvae. Toxic secretion in broth caused 95% mortality within 4 d of application whereas the bacterial cells caused 93% mortality after 6 d. When filter and sand substrates were compared, the later one was observed as appropriate. Similarly, bacterial cells and secretion in broth were more effective at 14% moisture and 25 degrees C temperature treatments. Maximum insect mortality (100%) was observed when bacterial concentration of 4x10(6) cells/ml was used. Similarly, maximum bacterial cells in broth (95%) were penetrated into the insect body within 2 h of their application. However, when stored bacterial toxic secretion was applied to the insects its efficacy declined. On the other hand, when the same toxic secretion was dried and then dissolved either in broth or water was proved to be effective. The present study showed that the bacterium, X. nematophila or its toxic secretion can be used as an important component of integrated pest management against Galleria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AT, UK.
authors.forename: Ali Nawaz
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Mahar
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elawad
authors.forename: Simon Richard
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Gowen
authors.forename: Nigel Graham Meckenzi
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Hague
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D009036:Moths / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D009348:Nematoda / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D020593:Xenorhabdus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins