COLONIZATION OF THE GUTS OF GERM-FREE DESERT LOCUSTS, SCHISTOCERCA-GREGARIA, BY THE BACTERIUM PANTOEA AGGLOMERANS

The aim of this study was to observe the colonization of the guts of g erm-free desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, by Pantoea agglomerans , the dominant bacterial species found in the mature adult. P. agglome rans was established as a monoculture. During the first generation of the monoassociated locusts the bacterial population remained at a low level despite daily inoculations from Days 32-46. By the second genera tion, without additional inoculations of P. agglomerans, some insects had a large monoflora. However, there was a wide variation, indicating that the bacteria had successfully colonized some insects but not oth ers. In contrast colonization of conventionally reared insects was rap id and occurred within days of hatching. The possible reasons for the difficulty in establishing P. agglomerans in the guts of germ-free loc usts are discussed. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.