Susceptibility to entomopathogens and modulation of basal immunity in two insect models at different temperatures.

In this work, we analysed the efficacy of different commercial bio-insecticides (Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Bacillus thuringiensis) by valuating the mortality induced on two insect models, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) and Sarcophaga africa (Diptera) after exposure to different temperatures (10, 20 and 30 °C). Moreover, we investigated the effects of temperature on the basal humoral immunity of the two target insects; particularly, phenoloxidase (PO) and lysozyme activity. Our results show that G.

Surface protein components from entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria: effects on immune responses of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Background: Steinernema carpocapsae is a nematocomplex widely used as an alternative to chemicals for the biological control of insect pests; this nematode is symbiotically associated with the bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and both contribute to host death. The architecture and functions of structures and molecular components of the surface of nematodes and their symbiont bacteria are integral to early interactions with their hosts; thus, we assessed the role of protein pools isolated from the surface of S. carpocapsae and from phase I X.