In vitro Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis against Tea Termites

Tea is an economically important plantation crop of Assam, India. Termites are one of the predominant pests causing damage to tea, thereby affecting the productivity and quality. Bacillus thuringiensis strains are widely used as microbial control agents for different insect pests. In the present study B. thuringiensis and B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis were evaluated in vitro for their pathogenicity against two species of tea termites, viz., Microtermes obesi Holmgren and Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder. Bacillus thuringiensis strains caused mortality of above 80% in both the termite species. B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis was found to be more virulent compared to B. thuringiensis against the termites.