Greater wax moth control in apiaries can be improved by combining Bacillus thuringiensis and entrapments

Bo Han, Li Zhang, Lili Geng, Huiru Jia, Jian Wang, Li Ke, Airui Li, Jing Gao, Tong Wu, Ying Lu, Feng Liu, Huailei Song, Xiaoping Wei, Shilong Ma, Hongping Zhan, Yanyan Wu, Yongjun Liu, Qiang Wang, Qingyun Diao, Jie Zhang and Pingli Dai ()
Additional contact information
Bo Han: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Li Zhang: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Lili Geng: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Huiru Jia: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jian Wang: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Li Ke: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Airui Li: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jing Gao: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Tong Wu: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Ying Lu: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Feng Liu: Jiangxi Institute of Apicultural Research
Huailei Song: Shanxi Agricultural University
Xiaoping Wei: Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Shilong Ma: Enshi Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Hongping Zhan: Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Yanyan Wu: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Yongjun Liu: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Qiang Wang: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Qingyun Diao: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Jie Zhang: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Pingli Dai: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract The greater wax moth (GWM), Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major bee pest that causes significant damage to beehives and results in economic losses. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) appears as a potential sustainable solution to control this pest. Here, we develop a novel Bt strain (designated BiotGm) that exhibits insecticidal activity against GWM larvae with a LC50 value lower than 2 μg/g, and low toxicity levels to honey bee with a LC50 = 20598.78 μg/mL for larvae and no observed adverse effect concentration = 100 μg/mL for adults. We design an entrapment method consisting of a lure for GWM larvae, BiotGm, and a trapping device that prevents bees from contacting the lure. We find that this method reduces the population of GWM larvae in both laboratory and field trials. Overall, these results provide a promising direction for the application of Bt-based biological control of GWM in beehives, although further optimization remain necessary.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42946-4

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