High insecticidal activity of <i>Leclercia adecarboxylata</i> isolated from <i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i> (Col.: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an important pest on solanaceous crops worldwide. CPB has developed resistance to insecticides used for its control. In this study, in order to find a more effective and safer biological control agent against L. decemlineata, we studied the bacterial flora of CPB, and tested them for insecticidal effects on it. The highest insecticidal effect determined on L. decemlineata within 5 days was 100% and this effect was exhibited by Ld1 isolate. According to the morphological, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA sequence
homologies, Ld1 was identified as Leclercia adecarboxylata. This is the first time that this bacterium has been isolated from any insect pests. Our results indicate that Lecl. adecarboxylata may be valuable as a biological control agent for L. decemlineata.