Identification and characterization of gut associated bacteria in Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab. (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae)

Abstract

Epilachna vigintioctopunctata Fab is a wide-spread key pest of the solanaceous and cucurbitaceous plants. E. vigintioctopunctata depends up on microorganisms that inhabit its intestinal tract. The diversity of the gut microbiota revealed 20 bacteria based on their morphological, biochemical, physiological and molecular characteristics. Out of twenty, six isolates were gramnegative bacteria. In total of 20 isolates 3 bacteria were sent to 16S rRNA partial gene sequencing and revealed the presence of Bacillus subtilis (EVI16), B. vietnamensis (EVI09) and B. anthracis (EVI07).