Oral toxicity of Photorhabdus toxins against thrips species.

ABSTRACT

The oral toxicity of excretion products of several Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus strains was tested on two thrips species Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci. Out of 46 Photorhabdus isolates and six Xenorhabdus isolates only six North American P. temperata isolates were toxic to the thrips species. After 7 days of drinking from P. temperata supernatant a mortality of 90% could be reached. Thrips were also killed after sucking from leaves covered with the toxins. Toxins have a negative effect on thrips fecundity. Possibilities of using P. temperata in the control of thrips will be discussed.