Histopathological effects of a mixture of two bioagents on the larval midgut of the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

A., El-Banna A.; I., Abd El-Kareem S. M.; S., El-Akad, A.; A., Hussein M.; R., Fahmy A.; K., Bekheit H.

doi:10.21608/eajbsd.2012.14143

Histopathological effects of a mixture of two bioagents on the larval midgut of the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Dept. of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo

² Plant Protection Research Institute, Dokki, Giza.

³ Dept. of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo.

10.21608/eajbsd.2012.14143

Abstract

Histopathological studies were conducted on the larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) using the commercial product Profect^® (a mixture of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki and S. littoralis NPV). Treatment of the 4^th instar larvae with the bioinsecticide revealed many ultrastructural alterations in the midgut of the 6^th instar larva. This mixture formula proved to be effective against the midgut epithelial cells and induced the marker of cell death. Accordingly, utilization of this biocontrol agent for controlling the cotton leafworm provides a promising alternative to conventional insecticides.

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