Larvicidal and adulticidal effects and ultrastructural changes of larvae midgut epithelium of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) fed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kyushuensis

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Lorrane de Andrade Pereira, Vitor dos Santos Baia Ferreira, Nahara de Souza Leite, Sandra Maria de Oliveira Souza, Margareth Maria de Carvalho Queiroz, Suzana Côrte-Real, Viviane Zahner
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Biological control; housefly; Entomopathogenic bacteria; Bacillus thuringiensis var. kyushuensis; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0135-2019; https://doaj.org/article/4a9166a157a046708c27efb486677a95

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Musca domestica is resistant to many insecticides; hence, biological control is a suitable alternative. METHODS: We evaluated the lethality of strain Btk176 towards the larval and adult M. domestica and the histopathological effects in the larvae midgut. RESULTS: We observed 99% larval and 78.9% adult mortality within 48 hours of spore ingestion (dosage, 2.4×108 CFU/ml). The histopathological effects were consistent with cytotoxicity. PCR analysis showed the presence of the cry1Ba gene. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a bipyramidal parasporal body. Thurigiensin activity was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: The serovar, Btk176 might be a potential biocontrol agent for houseflies.