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Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti): Overview and Applications

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis: mechanisms of action


Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium well-known for producing toxins that target the larvae of mosquitoes, black flies, and other related pests. It has gained widespread use as a biological control agent due to its high specificity for insect larvae and its safety for non-target organisms, including humans and wildlife. This makes Bti an ideal candidate for sustainable pest management in ecologically sensitive environments.

Bti produces several insecticidal crystalline proteins (ICPs), primarily Cry4A, Cry4B, Cry11A, and Cyt1A, which are toxic when ingested by insect larvae. Once inside the insect’s midgut, these toxins are activated by the alkaline environment, where they bind to receptors on the gut epithelial cells. This interaction forms pores in the gut lining, leading to cell lysis and the eventual death of the larvae through septicemia or starvation.



Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis 
Bacillus thuringiensis cell structure

Due to this precise mechanism, Bti is highly effective against mosquito and black fly larvae without harming beneficial insects, mammals, or birds.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) is highly effective against a specific group of insects, particularly those in their larval stage. Here is a list of the primary insect groups that Bti can target:


1. Mosquitoes (Family: Culicidae)


  • Aedes spp. (e.g., Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus), which transmit diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya.

  • Anopheles spp., which are vectors for malaria.

  • Culex spp., which can carry West Nile virus and filarial parasites.


2. Black Flies (Family: Simuliidae)


  • Simulium spp., known for their nuisance and ability to transmit diseases such as river blindness (onchocerciasis) in humans and various diseases in animals.

3. Fungus Gnats (Family: Sciaridae)


  • Bradysia spp., commonly found in greenhouse environments, causing damage to plant roots.

4. Non-Biting Midges (Family: Chironomidae)


  • Chironomus spp., though they do not bite, their large populations can be a nuisance in urban areas.

5. Other Aquatic Diptera


  • Various species of aquatic flies that can be controlled by Bti due to their similar larval biology to mosquitoes and black flies.


While Bti is highly selective in targeting these insect groups, it does not affect non-target organisms like beneficial insects (e.g., pollinators), mammals, birds, or aquatic organisms. This makes it a preferred option for environmentally safe biological control.



Key Uses and Applications


1. Biological Control of Mosquitoes


Bti is primarily utilized as a biolarvicide to control mosquito populations, particularly species that transmit harmful diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. It is applied to mosquito breeding sites, including standing water in marshes, ponds, and sewage systems, where larvae thrive. The ability of Bti to specifically target mosquito larvae while being harmless to other aquatic organisms makes it an environmentally safe choice for controlling vector-borne diseases.


2. Sequential Fermentation with Sewage Sludge


One interesting application involves the use of sewage sludge in Bti production, in conjunction with Bacillus sphaericus. This sequential fermentation process helps convert waste materials into an effective biolarvicide, reducing costs and providing an environmentally sustainable method of producing Bti. Additionally, Bacillus sphaericus is often combined with Bti to enhance effectiveness against various mosquito species, further minimizing the chance of resistance development.


3. Biological Control of Black Flies

Bti is also highly effective in controlling black fly populations, which are notorious for spreading diseases among humans and livestock. The application of Bti to black fly breeding grounds (usually fast-moving rivers and streams) provides an eco-friendly solution to managing this pest. Like mosquitoes, black flies ingest the Bti toxins, leading to their death at the larval stage, reducing adult populations and preventing further disease transmission.


4. Agricultural Pest Control

Beyond mosquito and black fly control, Bti has shown promise in agricultural pest management, particularly against pests like beetles that cause crop damage. Due to its specific targeting of pests, Bti serves as an attractive alternative to chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects, pollinators, and the surrounding environment.


5. Bioremediation Potential

Though less explored, Bti has potential applications in bioremediation. Its ability to control pests that contribute to water contamination can help in the restoration of polluted aquatic ecosystems. The reduction in pest populations through Bti applications can mitigate the spread of pathogens and pollutants, enhancing the health of water bodies.


Advantages of Using Bti


1. Environmental Safety

Bti's high specificity for certain insect larvae, coupled with its non-toxicity to humans, animals, and non-target organisms, makes it an ideal biological control agent. Its use minimizes collateral damage to beneficial species, including pollinators and aquatic organisms.


2. Resistance Management

While the threat of pest resistance to biological agents exists, combining Bti with other larvicidal agents, such as Bacillus sphaericus, can reduce the risk of resistance development. This approach prolongs the effectiveness of Bti in controlling mosquito populations over time.


3. Cost-Effective Production

Utilizing sewage sludge and other waste products in the fermentation of Bti presents a cost-effective and sustainable production method. This approach reduces production costs while simultaneously managing waste, creating a dual benefit for environmental management

.

4. Potential for Synergistic Use

Research shows that combining Bti with certain chemical agents, such as sulfamethoxazole, can enhance its larvicidal efficacy. Such combinations could prove beneficial in areas where mosquito populations have developed resistance to traditional biopesticides.


Conclusion

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) is a powerful biological control agent used primarily for the management of mosquito and black fly populations. Its specificity for insect larvae, combined with its safety for non-target organisms, makes it a valuable tool in sustainable pest management. Additionally, its potential in agricultural pest control, bioremediation, and eco-friendly production methods highlights Bti's versatility. As research continues, Bti may find even broader applications in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, contributing to long-term ecological sustainability.






References:

  1. Schnepf, E., et al. (1998). Bacillus thuringiensis and its pesticidal proteins. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., 62(3), 775-806.

  2. Charles, J. F., Nielsen-LeRoux, C., & Delecluse, A. (1996). Bacillus sphaericus toxins: Molecular biology and mode of action. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 41, 451-472.

  3. Pree, D. J., & Daly, J. C. (1996). Toxicity of Mixtures of Bacillus thuringiensis with Endosulfan and Other Insecticides to the Cotton Boll Worm Helicoverpa armigera. Pestic. Sci., 48, 199-204.

  4. Tanapongpipat, S., et al. (2003). Stable integration and expression of mosquito-larvicidal genes from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus into the chromosome of Enterobacter amnigenus: A potential breakthrough in mosquito biocontrol. FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 221(2), 243-248.

  5. Ohio State University Blog

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