The occurrence, biodiversity and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from the insect pest Lymantria dispar (Poland)

The aim of this investigation was to survey the occurrence, biodiversity, and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains originating from dead caterpillars of the forest pest, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera). Morphological, biochemical, and microscopic identification of isolates from the insects show...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polish journal of microbiology 2009, Vol.58 (2), p.155-161
Main Authors: Guz, Katarzyna, Bugla-Płoskońska, Gabriela, Doroszkiewicz, Włodzimierz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacillus
Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis - genetics
Bacillus thuringiensis - metabolism
Bacterial Proteins - metabolism
Bacterial Proteins - toxicity
Bacterial Toxins - metabolism
Bacterial Toxins - toxicity
Biodiversity
Drosophila melanogaster
Electrophoresis
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera - drug effects
Lepidoptera - microbiology
Lymantria dispar
Poland
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Summary:The aim of this investigation was to survey the occurrence, biodiversity, and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis strains originating from dead caterpillars of the forest pest, Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera). Morphological, biochemical, and microscopic identification of isolates from the insects showed the presence of five different Bacillus species, including 2% of B. thuringiensis. Based on the biochemical profiles, the B. thuringiensis were determined to be B. thuringiensis finitimus-like and B. thuringiensis alesti-like bacilli. Both produced spherical inclusions composed of three or five protoxins. The molecular weights of these proteins varied from 20 to ca. 64 kDa. Mixtures of spores/inclusions of the B. thuringiensis were tested for their toxicity against larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. The mortality levels of the larvae caused by these spores and crystalline inclusions varied from 5 to 15%. The lethal doses (LD50) of these isolates against D. melanogaster were 8.8 x 10(12) spores/ml for B. thuringiensis finitimus and 1.3 10(18) spores/ml for B. thuringiensis alesti.
ISSN:1733-1331