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An entomopathogenic bacterium strain, Bacillus thuringiensis , as a biological control agent against the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Author(s) -
Pu Yuchen,
Ma Tianling,
Hou Youming,
Sun Ming
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.4485
Subject(s) - rhynchophorus , weevil , instar , biology , biological pest control , bacillus thuringiensis , curculionidae , pest analysis , horticulture , bioassay , larva , arecaceae , botany , toxicology , palm , bacteria , ecology , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
BACKGROUND The red palm weevil ( RPW ), Rhynchophorus ferrug ineus, is an invasive wood‐boring insect that damages palms and sugarcane. Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) is an entomopathogenic bacterium which has been modified into various strains and widely used in pest management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of RPW to the HA strain of Bt . RESULTS Five concentrations of Bt bioassays were used on RPW eggs, second instars and fourth instars. Average egg hatching rates exceeded 85% using Bt suspensions or distilled water. Hatch times were extended significantly using higher Bt concentrations. For second instar larvae, the LC 50 was 4.92 × 10 9 CFU mL −1 15 d after feeding; the LT 50 values decreased with each higher concentration. The corrected mortality of second instars increased significantly with increased concentrations after 15 d, ranging from 16.97% to 94.32%. Significant differences occurred in the boring activity of fourth instars when dipped in Bt suspensions or crawling on treated sugarcane. Bacterial infection in dead larvae was confirmed using molecular techniques. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that Bt can be used in RPW control as a potential biological control agent and can effectively reduce palm trees damage. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry