Oral toxicity of Photorhabdus toxins against thrips species.

The oral toxicity of excretion products of several Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus strains was tested on two thrips species: Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci. Out of 46 Photorhabdus isolates and six Xenorhabdus isolates only six North American P. temperata isolates were toxic to the thrips species. After 7 days of drinking from P. temperata supernatant a mortality of 90% could be reached. Thrips were also killed after sucking from leaves covered with the toxins. Toxins have a negative effect on thrips fecundity. Possibilities of using P. temperata in the control of thrips will be discussed.