Application of toxins from the entomopathogenic bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila, for the control of insects on foliage.
Larvae of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, and the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, and nymphs of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria were controlled by the application of either cell suspensions from the bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila or filtrates containing cell-free toxins. Since there was no significant differences between the two treatments it was concluded that toxins produced by the bacterium were responsible for the lethal effects obtained. Cells of Xenorhabdus nematophila were recovered from the haemocoele of the treated insects indicating that the bacterium, which is normally carried into the host by the J3 of Steinernema carpocapsae, was able to enter the host in the absence of the nematode vector. The entry was rapid, cells of Xenorhabdus nematophila being detected in the larvae of P. xylostella within 15 min of application of cell suspensions to chinese cabbage leaves. The possibility of using direct application of cell suspensions of X. nematophila to foliage for insect control is discussed.
Mahar
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AN
Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading PO Box 236, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6AT, UK. anmahar4@yahoo.co.uk
Al-Siyabi
A A
AA
Elawad
S A
SA
Hague
N G M
NG
Gowen
S R
SR
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D009036:Moths / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D018411:Spodoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D020593:Xenorhabdus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D001427:Bacterial Toxins