ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Comparative bioefficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki and neem on American white moth, Hyphantria cunea Drury
1
Department of Plant Protection, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2
School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Pennsylvania State University, Middletown, United States
3
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2024-12-28
Acceptance date: 2025-03-17
Online publication date: 2026-04-28
Corresponding author
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bt and neem have a combined synergistic pesticidal effects on H. cunea
- Hyphantria cunea was susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis var.kurstaki
- Hyphantria cunea was susceptible to botanical-derived insecticide neem Achook®
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The American white moth, Hyphantria cunea Drury, is a polyphagous insect pest that feeds
on a wide range of fruit and forest trees. In the present study, the potential of the most commonly
used biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) and the botanical-
-derived insecticide neem Achook® and their combination on the mortality and physiological
disruptions of H. cunea was investigated. The LC30 (1.200 and 13.350 ppm for Bt and
neem, respectively), LC50 (3.103 and 31.753 ppm for Bt and neem, respectively), and their
combinations were considered in all biochemical assays. The combination of biopesticides
showed a synergistic phenomenon in all treatments at different concentrations. To explore
the underlying mechanisms, we assessed the main biochemical compounds, including
the activity of digestive and detoxifying enzymes of the moth larvae. Significant reductions
in the activities of protease, amylase, lipase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase were
realized compared to the control (p < 0.05). The activities of detoxifying enzymes, specifically
α- and β-esterases, glutathione S-transferase, and phenol oxidase, exhibited significant
increases in the treated groups. Conversely, the activity of acetylcholine esterase was found
to be decreased across all treatment conditions. The treatments administered resulted in
a statistically significant reduction in pupal weight (p < 0.05). The lowest average pupal
weight was recorded for the combination of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and neem at their
concentration (LC50) of 98.98 mg. This research demonstrated that using Bt and neem had
combined synergistic pesticidal effects that can be proposed for integrated pest management
of H. cunea.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Beata Borowiak-Sobkowiak
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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