A scorpion neurotoxin increases the potency of a fungal insecticide
Autor(es): Wang, Chengshu; St Leger, Raymond J.
Resumo: The low virulence of the insecticidal fungus Metarhizium anisopliae has stymied its widespread use in controlling insect pests. We show that high-level expression of an insect-specific neurotoxin from the scorpion Androctonus australis in hemolymph by M. anisopliae increases fungal toxicity 22-fold against tobacco hornworm ( Manduca sexta) caterpillars and ninefold against adult yellow fever mosquitoes ( Aedes aegypti) without compromising host specificity. Prelethal effects include reduced mobility and feeding of the insects targeted.
Palavras-Chave: Improved baculovirus insecticide; Metarhizium - Anisopliae; Construction; Responses; Field
Imprenta: Nature Biotechnology, v. 25, n. 12, p. 1455-1456, 2007
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.1038/nbt1357
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - RT-PCR
Data de publicação: 2007
