Effects of midgut bacteria in Hyphantria cunea on Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus and Bacillus thuringiensis

To investigate the role of midgut bacteria in the infection of NPV and Bt in H. cunea, we performed a series of tests, including isolating the dominant culturable bacteria in the midgut, eliminating intestinal bacteria, and respectively inoculating the dominant strains with NPV and Bt for bioassay. Two dominant bacteria, Klebsiella oxytoca and Enterococcus mundtii, in the midgut of H. cunea were identified, and a strain of H. cunea larvae without intestinal bacteria was successfully established. In the death of H. cunea infected with NPV and Bt, K. oxytoca showed significant enhancement effects, while E. mundtii played a weakening role.