Current Microbiology (1998) 36, 278-282

Donovan E. Johnson, Brenda Oppert and William H. McGaughey (1998)
Spore coat protein synergizes Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxicity for the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
Current Microbiology 36 (5), 278-282
Abstract: Spores from Bacillus thuringiensis serovars kurstaki and entomocidus synergized crystal protein toxicity for larvae of the Indianmeal moth (Plodia interpunctella). Preparations of spore-crystal mixtures of either serovar were more toxic for the larvae than either purified spores or crystals alone (based on dry weight). Spores lost 53% of their toxicity for the Indianmeal moth after 2 h of UV-irradiation, but remained partially toxic (28%) even after 4 h of irradiation. Spore coat protein was toxic for the Indianmeal moth and was synergistic with B. thuringiensis serovar kurstaki HD-1 crystal protein. Enhanced toxicity of the combined spore-crystal preparation was attributed to a combination of crystal and spore coat protein, and included the effects of spore germination and resulting septicemia in the larval hemolymph. Ultraviolet irradiation of spores reduced the toxicity from septicemia but not the synergism caused by spore coat protein. The potencies of spore-crystal preparations must be carefully evaluated on the basis of contributions from all three factors.
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Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
formulation/storage of bioagents
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plodia interpunctella
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (entomopathogen)	Plodia interpunctella
Bacillus thuringiensis var. entomocidus (entomopathogen)	Plodia interpunctella