Susceptibility of nine insect species to infection by Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis

Abstract

Insect mortality and bacterial growth in the gut and in the hemolymph were studied in nine insect species (three orders) exposed to a commercial preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis. Mortalities observed in the adults of Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus granarius, and larvae of Aedes aegypti and Aedes stimulans could not be accounted for as due to live bacterial spores or parasporal bodies. Mosquito species exhibited an inhibition of pupation. Malacosoma americana and Hyphantria cunea were killed rapidly by relatively low dosages. Attagenus piceus, Tenebroides mauritanicus, and Epilachna varivestis were not affected.