Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis control of synanthropic mites (Acari: Acaridida) under laboratory conditions

  • Published:
Experimental and Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins present a potential for control of pest mites. Information concerning the effect of Bt and its possible application to the biocontrol of synathropic mites is rare. The toxic effect of Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis producing Cry3A toxin was tested on the mites Acarus siro L., Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, and Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) via feeding tests. Fifty mites were reared on Bt additive diets in concentrations that ranged from 0 to 100 mg g−1 under optimal conditions for their development. After 21 days, the mites were counted and the final populations were analyzed using a polynomial regression model. The Bt diet suppressed population growth of the four mite species. The fitted doses of Bt for 50% suppression of population growth were diets ranging from 25 to 38 mg g−1. There were no remarkable differences among species. Possible applications of Bt for the control of synanthropic mites are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel-Razek AS (2002) Comparative study on the effect of two Bacillus thuringiensis strains of the same serotype on three coleopteran pests of stored wheat. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 32:415–424

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Athanassiou CG, Kavallieratos NG, Palyvos NE, Sciarretta A, Trematerra P (2005) Spatiotemporal distribution of insects and mites in horizontally stored wheat. J Econ Entomol 98:1058–1069

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beegle CC (1996) Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis against lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae). Biocontr Sci Technol 6:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter ME, Villani MG, Allee LL, Losey JE (2004) Absence of non-target effects of two Bacillus thuringiensis coleopteran active delta-endotoxins on the bulb mite, Rhizoglypus robini (Claparede) (Acari, Acaridae). J Appl Entomol 128:56–63

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casique-Arroyo G, Bideshi D, Salcedo-Hernández R, Barboza-Corona JE (2007) Development of a recombinant strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-73 that produces the endochitinase ChiA74. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 92:1–9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman MH, Hoy MA (1991) Relative toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis to the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and its predator Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Acari, Tetranychidae and Phytoseiidae). J Appl Entomol 111:147–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins DA (2006) A review of alternatives to organophosphorus compounds for the control of storage mites. J Stored Prod Res 42:395–426

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cox PD, Wilkin DR (1998) A review of the options for biological control against invertebrate pests of stored grain in the UK. IOBC/WPRS Bull 21:27–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabrowski ZT, Czajkowska B, Bocinska B (2006) First experiments on unintended effects of Bt maize feed on nontarget organisms in Poland. IOBC/WPRS Bull 29:39–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Erban T, Hubert J (2008) Digestive function of lysozyme in synanthropic acaridid mites enables utilization of bacteria as a food source. Exp Appl Acarol 44:199–212

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Caldas E, Iraola V, Carnés J (2007) Molecular and biochemical properties of storage mites (except Blomia species). Protein Pept Lett 14:954–959

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Caldas E, Puerta L, Caraballo L, Lockey RF (2008) Mite allergens. Clin Allergy Immunol 21:161–182

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hassanain MA, el Garhy MF, Abdel-Ghaffar FA, el-Sharaby A, Abdel Megeed KN (1997) Biological control studies of soft and hard ticks in Egypt. I. The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis varieties on soft and hard ticks (ixodidae). Parasitol Res 83:209–213

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hubert J, Stejskal V, Munzbergova Z, Kubatova A, Vanova M, Zdarkova E (2004) Mites and fungi in heavily infested stores in the Czech Republic. J Econ Entomol 97:2144–2153

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hubert J, Stejskal V, Munzbergova Z, Hajslova J, Arthur FH (2007a) Toxicity and efficacy of selected pesticides and new acaricides to stored product mites (Acari: Acaridida). Exp Appl Acarol 42:283–290

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hubert J, Stejskal V, Aspaly G, Munzbergova Z (2007b) Suppressive potential of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) flour against five species of stored-product mites (Acari: Acarididae). J Econ Entomol 100:586–590

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes AM (1976) The mites of stored food and houses, 2nd edn. MAFF Technical Bull 9, London, p 400

    Google Scholar 

  • Khetan SK (2001) Microbial pest control. Marcel Dekker Inc, NewYork, p 300

    Google Scholar 

  • Kikuta H, Takagi R (2001) Isolation and acaricidal activity of microorganisms from dead Tyrophagus similis Volgin. J Rakuno Gakuen Univ Nat Sci 25:271–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Martins ES, Praçaa LB, Dumasa VF, Silva-Wernecka JO, Sonea EH, Wagaa IC, Berryb C, Monnerat RG (2007) Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates toxic to cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis). Biol Contr 40:65–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira AR, Astro TR, Capalo DMF, Delalibera I Jr (2007) Toxicological evaluation of genetically modified cotton (Bollgard®) and Dipel® WP on the non-target soil mite Scheloribates praeincisus (Acari: Oribatida). Exp Appl Acarol 41:191–201

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palyvos NE, Athanassiou CG, Kavallieratos NG (2006) Acaricidal effect of a diatomaceous earth formulation against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Astigmata: Acaridae) and its predator Cheyletus malaccensis (Prostigmata: Cheyletidae) in four grain commodities. J Econ Entomol 99:229–236

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palyvos NE, Emmanouel NG, Saitanis CJ (2008) Mites associated with stored products in Greece. Exp Appl Acarol 44:213–226

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson CL (1990) Population increase and damage by three species of mites on wheat at 20°C and two humidities. Exp Appl Acarol 8:179–193

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh SM, Kelada NL, Shaker N (1991) Control of European house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) with Bacillus spp. Acarologia 32:257–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholler M (1998) Integration of biological and non-biological methods for controlling arthropods infesting stored products. Postharvest News Inf 9:15–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedlacek JD, Komaravalli SR, Hanley AM, Price BD, Davis PM (2001) Life history attributes of Indian meal moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Angoumois grain moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) reared on transgenic corn kernels. J Econ Entomol 94:586–592

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sinha RN, Watters FL (1985) Insect pests of flour mills, grain elevators, and feed mills and their control. Canadian Government Publishing Centre Ottawa, Canada. Agriculture Canada Publication, p 1776

  • Sobotnik J, Kudlikova-Krizkova I, Vancova M, Munzbergova Z, Hubert J (2008) Chitin in the peritrophic membrane of Acarus siro (Acari: Acaridae) as a target for novel acaricides. J Econ Entomol 101:1028–1033

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stejskal V, Hubert J (2008) Risk of occupational allergy to stored grain arthropods and false pest-risk perception in Czech grain stores. Ann Agric Environ Med 15:29–35

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thind BB, Clarke PG (2001) The occurrence of mites in cereal-based foods destined for human consumption and possible consequences of infestation. Exp Appl Acarol 25:203–215

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tyurin SA, Meshkov YI, Yakovleva IN, Zalunin IA, Hashimov FH, Zhuzhikov DP, Lyutikova LI, Martin PA, Oppert B, Debabov VG (2006) A new insecticidal preparation on the basis of Bacillus thuringiensis with insecto-acaricidal activity. IOBC/WPRS Bull 29:177–182

    Google Scholar 

  • van Bronswijk JE, Sinha RN (1971) Pyroglyphid mites (Acari) and house dust allergy. J Allergy 47:31–52

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Geest LPS, Elliot SL, Breeuwer JAJ, Beerling EAM (2000) Diseases of mites. Exp Appl Acarol 24:497–560

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zemek R, Hubert J (2008) Acaricidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against mite pests. IOBC/WPRS Bull 31:122

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Terry A. Benson and Dirk A. Ave (Valent Biosciences®) for Novodor FC. We thank Jitka Stara for critical comments, and Sarka Tuckova and Pavel Horak for technical work. We are obligated to anonymous reviewers for the significant improvement of MS. The project was supported as project COST862–OC08065, funded by the Czech Ministry of Education Youth and Sport.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crop Research Institute, Drnovska 507, 16106, Praha 6-Ruzyne, Czech Republic

    Tomas Erban, Marta Nesvorna, Michaela Erbanova & Jan Hubert

Authors
  1. Tomas Erban
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marta Nesvorna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Michaela Erbanova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jan Hubert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jan Hubert.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Erban, T., Nesvorna, M., Erbanova, M. et al. Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis control of synanthropic mites (Acari: Acaridida) under laboratory conditions. Exp Appl Acarol 49, 339–346 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9265-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9265-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation