A new biopesticide from a local Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (Xd3) against alder leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Use of chemical pesticides in agriculture harms humans, non-target organisms and environments, and causes increase resistance against chemicals. In order to develop an effective bio-pesticide against coleopterans, particularly against Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) which is one of the serious pests of alder leaf and hazelnut, we tested the insecticidal effect of 21 Bacillus isolates against the larvae and adults of the pest. Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis-Xd3 (Btt-Xd3) showed the highest insecticidal effect based on screening tests. For toxin protein production and high sporulation of Xd3, the most suitable medium, pH and temperature conditions were determined as nutrient broth medium enriched with salts, pH 7 and 30 °C, respectively. Sporulated Btt-Xd3 in nutrient broth medium enriched with salts transferred to fermentation medium containing soybean flour, glucose and salts. After fermentation, the mixture was dried in a spray dryer, and spore count of the powder product was determined as 1.6 × 10 c.f.u. g. Moisture content, suspensibility and wettability of the formulation were determined as 8.3, 86% and 21 s, respectively. Lethal concentrations (LC) of formulated Btt-Xd3 were determined as 0.15 × 10 c.f.u. ml for larvae at laboratory conditions. LC values were also determined as 0.45 × 10 c.f.u. ml at the field condition on larval stage. Our results showed that a new bio-pesticide developed from B. thuringiensis tenebrionis (Xd3) (Btt-Xd3) may be valuable as a biological control agent for coleopteran pests.

Fungal pathogens of Amphimallon solstitiale Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

“…Therefore, scientists have focused on developing alternative methods for pest management (Wilson & Tisdell, 2001;Keller & Zimmermann, 2005;Danismazoglu et al, 2012;Gokce et al, 2013;Sevim et al, 2013). The use of microbial control agents such as viruses, bacteria, nematodes and fungi are the best alternative to chemical pesticides and the development of new commercial products an important area of research (Sevim et al, 2012;Kocacevik et al, 2016;Eski et al, 2017). Of these beneficial microorganisms, the mode of infection of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) differs from other entomopathogens.…”

Possible interference of Bacillus thuringiensis in the survival and behavior of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera)

“…4 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia (PPGZO), UTFPR-DV, Dois Vizinhos, Paraná CEP 85.660-000, Brazil. * email: profmichele@gmail.com biological control agents, the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), is considered successful 18 and efficient and is recommended for the control of insects, including those of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera [19][20][21][22][23] . In general, the side effects of a biological agent vary for different organisms, owing to the greater specificity for the target organism.…”

Current Status and Recent Developments in Biopesticide Use

“…Mensah et al [12] Products of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum Fusarium root rot Kirk and Schafer [13] Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis strain Xd3 (Btt-Xd3) Alder leaf beetle (Agelastica alni) Eski et al [14] Alkaloid compound oxymatrine Spodoptera litura, Helicoverpa armigera, Aphis gossypii Rao and Kumari [15] Fermentation products of the bacterium Lactobacillus casei strain LPT-111 Angular leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas fragariae Dubois et al [16] Stilbenes isolated from grapevine extracts S. littoralis Pavela et al [17] Olive mill waste Various pests El-Abbassi et al [18] Strains of the fungus Talaromyces flavus were obtained from strawberry (Fragaria spp.) crowns for the purpose of checking for their inhibitory effect on anthracnose caused by Glomerella cingulata and Colletotrichum acutatum in the nursery [11].…”

“…The efficacy of new biological substances for the control of Fusarium root rot disease of gladiolus hybrids has been tested, with corm-applied products of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum being among the most effective treatments against Fusarium root rot [13]. In addition, twenty-one Bacillus isolates were screened for insecticidal effects on alder leaf beetle (Agelastica alni) larvae and adults [14]. Bacillus thuringiensis var.…”