The disease complex of the gypsy moth: II. Aerobic bacterial pathogens

Abstract

Eighty-six pathogenic aerobic bacterial isolates from diseased gypsy moth larvae collected in both sparse and dense populations were characterized and identified as members of the families Bacillaccae, Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Achromobacteraceae. The commonest pathogens were Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Group C Enterobacter types, and Pseudomonas spp. However, S. faecalis and B. cereus were found operating only in the dense populations. The wide variety of potentially pathogenic bacteria encountered may indicate that, under conditions of high host density, these bacteria may contribute significantly to the population dynamics of the gypsy moth.