Use of entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida (Enterobacteriaceae) and it secretions against the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella pupae

Mahar, A. N., Darban, D. A., Gowen, S. R., Hague, N. G. M., Jan, N. D., Munir, M. and Mahar, A. Q. (2005) Use of entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida (Enterobacteriaceae) and it secretions against the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella pupae. Journal of Entomology, 2. pp. 77-85. ISSN 1812-5670 doi: 10.3923/je.2005.77.85

Abstract/Summary

The bacterium from Pseudomonas putida from Steinernema abbasi and its metabolic secretions caused the mortality of the Galleria mellonella pupae. Experiments were conducted in sand and filter paper on time exposure, temperature, moisture, dose and time of penetration of bacterium in pupae and tested stored or dried toxic metabolites using G. mellonella pupae as a test target organism. Death of pupae was probably due to the toxic metabolites. Pseudomonas putida cells were recovered from the haemocoele when bacterial cells were applied to the G. mellonella pupae indicating that bacterial cells can enter the haemocoele in the absence of nematode vector. Penetration of bacterium was found rapidly after application on G. mellonella pupae. Pseudomonas putida or its toxic secretions can be used as a microbial control for insect control. The experimental results indicate that there is possibility of using P. putida and its toxic secretions as a biopesticide and can contribute in the development of new microbial and biological control against insect pests.