ISOLATION AND ACTIVITY OF STRAINS OF BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS TOXIC TO LARVAE OF THE HOUSEFLY (DIPTERA, MUSCIDAE) AND TROPICAL BLOWFLIES (DIPTERA, CALLIPHORIDAE)

Several natural isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis have been found whi ch are active against larvae of Musca domestica, the housefly, as well against larvae of the family Calliphoridae. The toxicity is attribute d to the Cry IB class of protoxin. Presolubilization of the toxin was not necessary to induce mortality in any of the insect species assayed . The addition of spores to the delta-endotoxin was, however, essentia l to inducing significant mortality in larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (W eld.) and enhanced mortality in the other species tested. (C) 1998 Aca demic Press.