Biological control of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) by Bacillus cereus MA7

Abstract

The present study describes the insecticidal potentiality of spore-crystal complex and supernatant of Bacillus cereus strain isolated from dead or moribund pink bollworm. Three isolates of actinomycetes, two gram-negative and two spore-forming bacteria were isolated from the larvae and complete identification was performed for the most effective one. The toxicity of the two preparations was evaluated against 1st and 4st instars larvae of P. gossypiella. The LC50s of B. cereus spore-crystals for the tested insect were; 88.5, 200μg/g, respectively. While, LC50s of the supernatant were; 284.8 and 277.5μl/g, respectively. The retarding effects of the two preparations were slightly extended to the pupa and adult stages. © 2011 Mahfouz SA, et al.