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Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki to Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Elyes Zhioua·Klaus Heyer·M. Browning·Howard S. Ginsberg·Roger A. LeBrun
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Abstract

Pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki de Barjac & Lemille was tested against the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say. Engorged larvae dipped in a solution of 108 spores per ml showed 96% mortality, 3 wk post-infection. The LC50 value for engorged larvae (concentration required to kill 50% of ticks) was 107 spores/ml. Bacillus thuringiensis shows considerable potential as a microbial control agent for the management of Ixodes scapularis .

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Elyes Zhioua, Klaus Heyer, M. Browning, Howard S. Ginsberg, Roger A. LeBrun. 1999-11-01. Pathogenicity of Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki to Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent%2F36.6.900

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