title: Insecticidal bacteria isolated from predatory larvae of the antlion species Myrmeleon bore (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae).
abstract: Various bacterial species were isolated from the crop (digestive organ) of the antlion species Myrmeleon bore and tested for their insecticidal activity against caterpillars by injection. Sixty-eight isolates from the antlion crop were grouped into twenty-four species based on homologies of 16S rRNA gene sequences and biochemical properties. Isolated Bacillus cereus, Bacillus sphaericus, Morganella morganii, Serratia marcescens and a Klebsiella species killed 80% or more cutworms when injected at a dose of 5x10(5)cells per insect. In addition, cutworms killed by these isolates resembled observations made of caterpillars attacked by antlions. A culture-independent analysis showed that the isolated bacterial species are likely to be frequently present in the antlion crop. These results suggest that insecticidal microorganisms associate with antlions, and may promote the death of prey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Kinki University, 3327-204 Nakamachi, Nara 631-8505, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishiwaki
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimomura
authors.forename: Kenta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001483:Base Sequence; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007313:Insecta / Q000382:microbiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000382:microbiology; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S