Termite-killing components in Serratia marcescens (SM1)

Abstract

AbstractThe bacteria, Serratia marcescens (SM1) was previously obtained from the black-winged termite, Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki. SM1 was highly toxic to O. formosanus, however, the mechanism of toxicity is unclear. In this study, toxicity test results showed that the main components that affected O. formosanus were in a supernatant and that the insecticidal protease in the supernatant resulted in the death of O. formosanus. In addition, zinc sulphate recovery experiments indicated that the metalloproteinases in the supernatant were more harmful. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the future biological control of termites, the basis for the development of pest control technology and the discovery of new pesticides.