مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Use of Bacteria in Biological Control of Malacosoma neustria L. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Abstract :

In this study, biological control of Malacosoma neustria (ring butterflywas investigated by using bacteria. For this reason, a total 25 bacterial strains isolated from various pests were identified by traditional methods (morphological, biochemical, etc), and molecular methods (Microbial Identification System and Biolog Microplate System). All bacteria strains were tested in bioassay against the pest in laboratory conditions. Of the 25 bacterial strains, three strains (Brevibacillus brevis FD-1, Bacillus lentimorbus RK-340, Bacillus pumilus FD-3) were determined to have insecticidal activity against M. neustria which killed %20,4 and %89,95 larvae treated. Others strains were found to have no statistically significant insecticidal activity against M. neustria. Potential of three preselected bacterial strains based on laboratory tests were also tested in field conditions. The results showed that approximately 23–31% of the larvae treated with the preselected bacterial strains were killed in the field conditions compared with control. Therefore, the data in the present study suggested that these three bacterial strains can be used for biological control of M. neustria in the case of further studies will provide an evidence that bacterial strains selected are nonhazardous for human and environment.