Bacteria associated with eggs and first-instar larvae of the european corn borer: Isolation techniques and pathogenicity

Egg masses of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, were collected from caged corn plants to study the bacterial diseases of egg masses and first-instar larvae. In 1972, a reduction in the percentage hatch, indicative of a disease epizootic, was noted among the first-generation egg masses. Bioassays of the bacteria on first-instar larvae and egg masses showed that Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki was pathogenic only to larvae. Bacillus megaterium was active primarily against the egg stage.