Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria

Abstract This study investigated the potential of indigenous entomopathogenic bacterial (EPB) strains from Egypt to control the two most prevalent locust species, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) (Orthoptera: Acr...

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Main Authors: Jihan Muhammad, Zeinab Fathy, Saad Moussa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-02-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87513-7
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author Jihan Muhammad
Zeinab Fathy
Saad Moussa
author_facet Jihan Muhammad
Zeinab Fathy
Saad Moussa
author_sort Jihan Muhammad
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigated the potential of indigenous entomopathogenic bacterial (EPB) strains from Egypt to control the two most prevalent locust species, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). To assess the efficacy of the EPB strains, experiments were conducted in the laboratory, semi field, and field. The results showed that Xenorhabdus nematophila (Thomas et Poinar) BA2 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) and Photorhabdus luminescens (Thomas et Poinar) EGAP3 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) were the most effective strains against S. gregaria and L. migratoria migratorioides in laboratory settings. Under semi-field conditions, X. nematophila BA2 recorded nymphal mortality rates of 89.31% and 85.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively, and P. luminescens EGAP3 showed nymphal mortality rates of 88.00% and 80.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively. In field trials, X. nematophila BA2 exhibited the highest nymphal mortality rate of 88.70% at 7 days after spraying. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that X. nematophila BA2 and P. luminescens EGAP3 are promising candidates for environment-friendly, safe locust pest management. Further research is needed to explore and develop these bacteria for commercial use in agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-104b6a6115294dcc9e6dd1953fce207d2025-02-09T12:30:11ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-02-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-87513-7Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteriaJihan Muhammad0Zeinab Fathy1Saad Moussa2Insect Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Unit, Agricultural Research Center 12619, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Plant Protection Research InstituteDepartment of Pest Physiology, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center 12619, Ministry of Agriculture and Land ReclamationInsect Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Unit, Agricultural Research Center 12619, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Plant Protection Research InstituteAbstract This study investigated the potential of indigenous entomopathogenic bacterial (EPB) strains from Egypt to control the two most prevalent locust species, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). To assess the efficacy of the EPB strains, experiments were conducted in the laboratory, semi field, and field. The results showed that Xenorhabdus nematophila (Thomas et Poinar) BA2 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) and Photorhabdus luminescens (Thomas et Poinar) EGAP3 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) were the most effective strains against S. gregaria and L. migratoria migratorioides in laboratory settings. Under semi-field conditions, X. nematophila BA2 recorded nymphal mortality rates of 89.31% and 85.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively, and P. luminescens EGAP3 showed nymphal mortality rates of 88.00% and 80.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively. In field trials, X. nematophila BA2 exhibited the highest nymphal mortality rate of 88.70% at 7 days after spraying. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that X. nematophila BA2 and P. luminescens EGAP3 are promising candidates for environment-friendly, safe locust pest management. Further research is needed to explore and develop these bacteria for commercial use in agriculture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87513-7Photorhabdus luminescensXenorhabdus nematophilaSchistocerca gregariaL. migratoria migratorioidesField application
spellingShingle Jihan Muhammad
Zeinab Fathy
Saad Moussa
Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
Scientific Reports
Photorhabdus luminescens
Xenorhabdus nematophila
Schistocerca gregaria
L. migratoria migratorioides
Field application
title Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
title_full Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
title_fullStr Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
title_full_unstemmed Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
title_short Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria
title_sort biological control of schistocerca gregaria and locusta migratoria migratorioides using entomopathogenic bacteria
topic Photorhabdus luminescens
Xenorhabdus nematophila
Schistocerca gregaria
L. migratoria migratorioides
Field application
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87513-7
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