Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF HELICOVERPA ZEA (BODDIE) (LEP.: NOCTUIDAE) TO BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS BERLINER (BACILLACEAE).

ABSTRACT

The use of biological control agents is an alternative that can reduce the impact of intensive use of synthetic chemicals, therefore allowing for production of healthier food while generating more revenue for the growers. The entomopathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) is an excellent option due to its specificity and harmlessness to humans. The present study investigated the susceptibility, toxicity and sublethal effects of 27 B. thuringiensis isolates obtained from soil samples and 2 commercial formulations (Dipel® PM and Xentari® WG) to first-instar larvae of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lep.: Noctuidae). The Bt isolates B.t 11, B.t 21, B.t 23, B.t 25, B.t 26, B.t 27, B.t 28 and the commercial Bt formulations caused larval mortalities of over 94%. The other isolates caused mortalities under 33.33%. The LC50 ranged from 3 x 104 to 1.2 x 107 spores mL1. In addition, the isolates B.t 6, B.t 12, B.t 15, B.t 16 and B.t 18 caused reduction in the weight of H. zea larvae and pupae. Among the isolates, B.t 23 has the potential to be used for the control of H. zea larvae.

KEY WORDS
Microbiological control; entomopathogen bacteria; corn earworm

Instituto Biológico Av. Conselheiro Rodrigues Alves, 1252 - Vila Mariana - São Paulo - SP, 04014-002 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: arquivos@biologico.sp.gov.br