ABSTRACT
The majority of protocols for the bioassay of bacteria pathogenic to insects have been developed with the "Bacillus cereus-thuringiensis" group. The pathogenicity or virulence of a microbial insecticide is a function of many interacting factors and is relative to a specific set of conditions which exist between the microbial agent and a particular host. The amount of microbial agent which is required to produce a desired mortality is a function of the susceptibility of the host and the virulence of the microorganism. The bioassays of protozoa are conducted with the spore stages of these intracellular insect pathogens. Plaque Assays techniques allow the investigator to quantify nonoccluded forms of NPVs and normally nonoccluded insect viruses in insect tissue cell cultures. Artificial food assay determines the efficacy of pathogens of Galleria mellonella, the wax moth. The ultimate goal in the utilization of any bioassay system is the maintenance of consistency and accuracy.
