BACILLUS-THURINGIENSIS SEROVAR JAPONENSIS STRAIN BUIBUI FOR CONTROL OF JAPANESE AND ORIENTAL BEETLE LARVAE (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE)

Two liquid formulations containing Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japo nensis strain Buibui toxin were evaluated in the field for control of Japanese and oriental beetle larvae. One formulation stopped in late s porulation phase where greater than 90% of the cells lysed contained f ree protein toxin crystals (parasporal inclusions) and live spores. A second formulation contained B. thuringiensis serovar japonensis strai n Buibui toxin expressed in killed recombinant Pseudomonas fluorescens . Both formulations demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce J apanese and oriental beetle larval populations in turfgrass compared t o untreated controls. The B. thuringiensis formulation was more effect ive than the first prototype of the genetically engineered P. fluoresc ens, but the potential for development of this technology was clearly demonstrated.