A unique isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis with a high larvicidal activity specific for scarabaeid beetles

Abstract

A spore‐forming bacterium isolated from the soil of Japan was assigned to Bacillus thuringiensis serovar japonensis (flagellar antigen 23). Parasporal inclusions of this isolate were spherical to ovoid in shape and exhibited high larvicidal activity against coleopterous scarabaeid beetles, the cupreous chafer. Anomala cuprea, the soybean beetle, Anomala rufocuprea, and the Japanese beetle. Popillia japonica. No toxicity was shown by this isolate against larvae of Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera, and adults of a chrysomelid coleopteran.