Role of larval cadavers in recycling processes of Bacillus sphaericus

The influence of larval cadavers of Culex pipiens on recycling processes of Bacillus sphaericus was investigated by bioassays and spore counts in the laboratory. Studies conducted with 3 different B. sphaericus concentrations (0.005, 0.01, 0.05 mg B. sphaericus/liter) indicated that the presence of cadavers in the water contributed to the maintenance of toxic levels of B. sphaericus. Larval cadavers seem to contain all the nutrients necessary both for vegetative multiplication and for toxin synthesis associated with the sporulation process. Bioassays of B. sphaericus revealed that the mortality of Culex pipiens remained on a high level over a period of 26 days when larval cadavers were added every second day to the test vessels. This result was supported by a sharp increase in spore density when cadavers were added at the same interval. The test series showed B. sphaericus recycles in intact cadavers of Culex pipiens, whereas this phenomenon could not be observed when crushed cadavers were used in the trials. Therefore, our results demonstrated that for successful recycling processes it seems of crucial importance that infected cadavers remain intact at least for a certain time and also that the dosage of the applied B. sphaericus plays a major role in recycling processes whereas larval density is only of minor importance to these processes.