Isolation and Characterization of Photorhabdus Spp. (Enterobacteriaceae) Isolated From Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora in Kashere, Nigeria

Abstract

Photorhabdus bacteria are symbiotically associated with the infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Heterorhabditis. These bacteria after infecting a susceptible host, produces a host of lethal toxins that killthe insect hosts within 24 to 72 hours. Consequently they have emerged and are trending as excellent biological control agents against insect pests of agricultural crops. Therefore, this study aim to isolate, identify and test the pathogenicity of Photorhabdus bacteria isolated from Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, entomopathogenic nematode from Kashere, Gombe State, Nigeria. To this end phenotypic and biochemical tests were conducted. The tests conducted showed that the isolate exhibited characteristics similar to those of Photorhabdus bacteria that have been identified. Last instar larvae of G. mellonella exposed to different concentrations of the bacterial isolate showed some level of susceptibility of the larvae to the bacterial isolate confirming its biological control potential.