Identification of entomopathogenic Bacillus isolated from Simulium (Diptera, Simuliidae) larvae and adults

Abstract

Entomopathogenic bacteria isolated from Simulium larvae and adults from breeding sites in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were identified as 18 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and one of B. sphaericus. Most of these strains were serotyped according to their flagellar antigens. However, nine of the B. thuringiensis samples, could not be serotyped and were designated as "autoagglutinating"; they were also shown to be toxic in preliminary tests against Aedes aegypti larvae. Additionally, B. sphaericus was also shown to be toxic towards Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.

Keywords

• biological control
• Simulium
• Bacillus thuringiensis
• Bacillus sphaericus
• black fly
• Brazil