Toxicity of the entomopathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus to the mushroom mite (Luciaphorus sp.; Acari: Pygmephoridae)

The mushroom mite, Luciaphorus sp. is a serious pest of tropical mushrooms. We determined the pathogenicity and toxicity of species and strains of the entomopathogenic bacteria, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus to the mite. As these bacteria are known to produce antifungal substances, we first determined the effect of 21 species and strains of the bacteria on the mycelial growth of the mushroom, Lentinus squarrosulus. We then determined the toxicity of the eight species and strains of bacteria that did not show any effect on mushroom growth against both the female and male mites. All eight species and strains of the bacteria were toxic to the female mite resulting in significant mite mortality within 24-48 h. Cell-free supernatants from all the eight bacterial species and strains were also toxic to the female mite inflicting significant mortality within 24-48 h. The supernatants of two strains, GPS12 and GPS11, of Photorhabdus luminescens ssp. laumondii were significantly more toxic than the other species and strains to the female mite, resulting in 90-95% mite mortality within 48 h. Both the concentration and age of the bacteria had significant effect on the toxicity of the supernatants to the female mite. None of the bacteria showed toxicity to the male mite which has undeveloped mouthparts. These results indicate that P. luminescens ssp. laumondii and its byproducts are directly toxic to the female mite, suggesting the potential of developing a novel biological approach for the control of this mushroom pest. This is the first report on the miticidal activity of the entomopathogenic bacteria, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus.