Bacteria (entomopathogens)
Author(s): Jim Buckman
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Bacteria (entomopathogens)
Entomopathogic bacteria are important beneficial organisms used in pest management. Especially the crystal forming species Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely used and is commercially produced. In addition, genes producing the Bt endotoxins have been incorporated into genetically modified crops which have been planted on increasing hecterage since the mid 1990s.
For a review see Ruiu, 2015.
Various entomopathogenic bacteria are also symbiotically associated with entomopathogenic nematodes. These are not covered here but are treated under the respective species of nematodes. The following genera and associated nematode are curently covered:
- Photorhabdus (associated with nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis)
- Xenorhabdus (associated with nematodes of the genus Steinernema)
This page deals only with species causing bacterial diseases of insect pests, for other groups see:
- plant pathogenic bacteria
- bacterial antagonists of plant diseases
- bacterial diseases of weeds
- bacterial diseases of beneficial insects
The following genera and individual species of entomopathogic bacteria are currently entered in the system:
