HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF AN ALGERIAN STRAIN OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ON THE GUT OF ANACRIDIUM AEGYPTIUM ( ORTHOPTERA, ACRIDIDAE). INTEREST FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Abstract

Locust’s biocontrol requires identification of efficient bacterial strains able to be used against these ravagers. In this study, we analyzed the impact of an algerian strain of B. thuringiensis called TIM14 on the gut of Anacridium aegyptium. We observed that A.aegyptium infestation with TIM14 induced a lytic activity on the tegument and the cuticle followed by insect’s demise. In conclusion, our results suggest that the local B.thuringiensis strain TIM14 would be active through different enzymatic activities involving the chitinase that induces death of this orthoptera.