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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #173922
Title: TOXICITY OF CHROMOBACTERIUM SUTTSUGA TO SOUTHERN GREEN STINK BUG(HETEROPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE) AND CORN ROOTWORM (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

Author
item Martin, Phyllis
item HIROSE, E. - UNIV. OF FEDDO PARANA
item Aldrich, Jeffrey

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/11/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Martin, P.A., Hirose, E., Aldrich, J.R. 2007. Toxicity of chromobacterium suttsuga to southern green stink bug(heteroptera: pentatomidae) and corn rootworm (coleoptera: chrysomelidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 100:680-684.

Interpretive Summary: Corn rootworms and southern green stink bug are major pests on corn and soybean in the United States and Brazil. Corn rootworms in the U.S. alone cost farmers over $1 billion in control and crop losses. Insecticides used to treat these pests are showing up in ground water and in some cases resistance to chemical control has been observed. Biological control, especially in the form of bacterial pathogens has been underused for these pests. A newly described purple bacterium, Chromobacterium suttsuga was found to kill adults of both these insects. For corn rootworm, these bacteria were combined with compounds naturally produced by a bitter watermelon that stimulates the insects to eat. Between 80-100% of the corn rootworm adults that fed on these bacteria were dead within 6 days. For southern green stink bug, these bacteria were introduced into the water supply and 100% died within 6 days. If the live bacteria were removed by either filtration or killed by heating, the remaining portion still killed stink bugs. Scientists will be able to use this information to design new controls for these pests. As part of an integrated pest management system, farmers will eventually be able to use these bacteria to help control these pests on their crops.

Technical Abstract: Diabrotica spp. adult beetles and southern green stink bugs are pests on corn and soybeans as well as on cucurbits. The control of these insects has depended on chemicals. An alternative to chemical control is the use of biologicals. Use of bacteria, fungi, viruses, pheromones, and metabolites, to control these insects can potentially improve resistance management, and reduce pesticide use. Other than Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, few bacteria have been discovered that are lethal to either of these pests. Chromobacterium suttsuga Martin et al., a newly described bacterium that is known to be toxic to Colorado potato beetle larvae, was found to be toxic to both diabroticite adult beetles and southern green stink bug adults. In laboratory assays, toxins produced by these bacteria kill 80%-100% of 2 species of diabroticite beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardii Barber, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte) and 100% of southern green stink bug adults (Nezara viridula L.) within 6 d. For green stink bug, live bacteria were not needed for toxicity.