Southwestern Entomologist (1999) 24, 37-48

Patricia Tamez-Guerra, C. Garcia-Gutierrez, H. Medrano-Roldan, L.J. Galan-Wong and C.F. Sandoval-Coronado (1999)
Spray-dried microencapsulated Bacillus thuringiensis formulations for the control of Epilachna varivestis Mulsant
Southwestern Entomologist 24 (1), 37-48
Abstract: A new sprayable microgranule formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kumomatoensis (strain C-9) was evaluated for the control of the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis Mulsant. Strain C-9 was isolated from dead E. varivestis in a Phaseolus vulgaris L. field in Durango, Mexico. A spore and crystal complex of the C-9 strain were active against E. varivestis larvae in bioassays using treated bean plants (LC₅₀ of 642 µg/ml), and against Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) larvae using artificial diets (LC₅₀ of 219 µg/ml). The sprayable powder (microgranule formulation), consisting of cornstarch (CS), nixtamalized corn flour (NCF), vegetable oil, powdered sugar, 2-propanol, malachite green, and formaldehyde, was prepared using a spray-dry process. Shelf life of formulated B. thuringiensis maintained over 90% of its original activity after 24 months of storage. A field test demonstrated that treatments of formulated B. thuringiensis controlled E. varivestis significantly better than treatments with unformulated B. thuringiensis. This study demonstrated that B. thuringiensis can potentially be formulated by spray drying, based on ingredients, which would help to improve its activity as a biopesticide under field conditions.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Patricia Tamez-Guerra

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Epilachna varivestis	Beans (Phaseolus)	Mexico
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kumomatoensis (entomopathogen)	Epilachna varivestis	Beans (Phaseolus)	Mexico