Determination of the culturable bacterial flora of Spodoptera littoralis and investigation of bacterial control agent of its

In order to find a significant microbial control agent against Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), first of all we determined 10 bacterial isolates and identified these isolates based on morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characters. The insecticidal effects of 10 bacterial isolates from S. littoralis and 12 bacteria belonging to Bacillus genus from our culture collection were tested on the pest. Two Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki isolates (Mnd and BnBt) have 100% mortality on the pest whitin 10 days. The Mnd was studied more detail. It was detected that this isolate has 97%, 27%, 97% and 97% mortality effects on 1., 2., 3. and 4. instar larvea of the pest whitin 10 days, respectively. Lethal effect on larvae at different aliments of this isolate was determined 93% on lettuce, 83% on bean, 70% on cabbage, 63% on chard, 50% on parsley and 43% on corn. Bt spore-crystal mix prepared from Mnd isolate was indicated 100% lethal effect on S. littoralis larvas.In the further research, development of a suitable formulation from this isolate and its application againts S. littoralis is planed.Key words: Spodoptera littoralis, Bacterial flora, Bacterial control, Bacillus thuringiensis