Germination and proliferation of Bacillus thuringiensis in the gut of rice moth larva, Corcyra cephalonica

Abstract

By using scanning electron microscopy, germination and growth of Bacillus thuringiensis in the gut of Corcyra cephalonica larvae were photographically studied. The spores of B. thuringiensis germinated at the surface of the epithelium 40–120 min after inoculation. Then the vegetative cells proliferated vigorously in the lumen of the midgut. Prior to the death of the host, the lumen was full of vegetative cells but no evidence was found for the epithelium being penetrated. Simultaneously, newly formed spores and crystals were found in the crop. The morphological changes of spores from germination to full maturity were observed.