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Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory

ISU Entomology / Pesticide Toxicology Laboratory / Sublethal effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. Kurstaki on Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and the tachinid parasitoid Compsilura concinnata (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Sublethal effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. Kurstaki on Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and the tachinid parasitoid Compsilura concinnata (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Authors: Erb, S.L.; Bourchier, R.S.; Frankenhuyzen, K.V.; Smith, S.M.
Journal, Volume, Year: Biological Control, volume 30(6):1174-1181, 2001
Summary

Foray 48B, a sporular formulation of Btk was forcefed to gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) larvae. The larvae were then used as hosts for the tachinid (fly) parasitoid Compsilura concinnata. There was a minimal effect of the sublethal dose of Bt on the moth, but the parasitoid preferentially attacked the non-Bt treated hosts. Viability was also better in the non-Bt hosts, but was only significant for the super-parasitized hosts.

Comments

This study used non-transgenic Bt. It incorporated behavior by examining host selection by the parasitoid. The question of reduced viability of the parasitoid is one of fitness of the host vs. a direct effect of Bt on the parasitoid.