BIOLOGICAL INSECTICIDE FORMULATION, FREE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, FOR INSECT PEST CONTROL IN PLANTS

Abstract

Chemical-free, biological insecticide formulation for the control of insect pests in plants, wherein said formulation comprises Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, at defined concentrations, palatability enhancers or attractants, a carrier selected from clays, kaolin, tale, zeolite, water, vegetable oils, paraffinic or non-paraffinic minerals among other agents.

Description

The invention relates to an insecticidal formulation with broad spectrum insecticidal action, for the control of insect pests, such as those described in Table 1, among others where a microorganism, Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, is used. Preferably, the microorganism, Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, is comprised in a composition, which in addition to the strain, is formulated together with palatability enhancers or attractants, endospore dispersion enhancers, selected from the group consisting of polyamide, sorbitol, ammonium oxalate, sodium hexametaphosphate, among others. In a preferred mode said spore dispersion enhancers are in defined ranges, such as, for example, polyamide in a range of 0.01 to 1.5%, preferably 0.5%; sorbitol 0.1 to 1.5% preferably 0.5%; ammonium oxalate 0.1 to 1.5% preferably 0.5%; sodium hexametaphosphate 0.1 to 2%, preferably 0.5%. As attractants (palatability enhancers), a protein source, and a carbohydrate source are included; wherein the protein source is selected from the group consisting of peptone, legume meal, for example bean meal, soybean meal, lupine meal, pea meal; and wherein the carbohydrate source is selected from potato starch, corn starch, rye starch, among others. In a preferred embodiment, the formulation further comprises diatomaceous earth, whereby the exposure of insect epithelium to the endospores is increased, thus enhancing the insecticidal effect of the composition.

Below, in Table 1, the order and species of insects that are susceptible to be controlled with the insecticidal composition of the invention are described.

TABLE 1
Diptera     Anastrepha sp, Liriomyza sp., Liriomyza trifolli, Drosophila suzukii,
            Drosophila melanogaster
Lepidoptera Proeulia auraria, Proeulia chrysopteris, Proeulia triquetra, Cydia
            pomonella, Cydia molesta, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, Orgya antiqua,
            Otiorhychus rugostratus, Copitarsia consueta, Heliothis virescens,
            Tuta absoluta, Plutella xylostella, Pieris brassicae, Copitarsia
            consueta, Trichoplusia sp., Rachiplusia sp., Heliothis zea, Spodoptera
            frugiperda, Helicoverpa armigera, Daiphnia sp., Lobesia botrana,
            Anticarsia gemmatalis, Heliothis sp., Rachiplusia un, Phthorimaea
            operculella, Plutella xylostella, Edwardsiana crataegui, Spodoptera
            frugiperda, Premnotrypes vorax, Sagalassa valida, Spodoptera
            frugiperda, Lyriomiza sp., Prodiplosis longifila, Colias sp.,
            Autographa sp., Eoreuma loftini, Diatraea saccharalis, Dalaca
            pallens, Dalaca variabilis
Coleoptera  Cosmopolites sordidus, Colaspis submetallica, Asynonychus cervinus,
            Hylamorpha elegans, Sericoides sp., S. viridis, S. obesa,
            Brachysternus prasinus, B. spectabilis, Phytholaema herrmanni, P.
            dilutipes, Tomarus villosus, Aegorhinus superciliosus, Aegorhinus
            nodipennis, Aegorhinus phaleratus, Otiorhynchus sulcatus,
            Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus, Naupactus xanthographus,
            Graphognatus leucoloma, Naupactus cervinus
Hemiptera   Diaspis sp., Dysmiccocus brevipes, Diaspidiotus perniciosus,
            Pseudococcus viburni, Myzus persicae, Pseudococcus longispinus,
            Eriosoma lanigerum, Chromaphis juglandicola, Leptoglossus
            chilensis, Myzocallis coryl, Frankliniela birbicauda, Bemisia osfat,
            Aspidiotus destructor, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Macrosiphum sp,
            Assayeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci, Assayeurodes, Oebalus
            spp., Leptopharsa gibbicarina, Diatraea saccharalis, Bemisia
            argentifolli, Brevicoryne brassicae, Planoccocus Citri, Planoccocus
            Ficus, Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus longispinus,
            Phenacoccus peruvianus, Aphis Illinoisensis, Brachycaudus persicae,
            Aphisspiraecola sp., Brachycaudus schwartzi, Toxoptera aurantii,
            Aphis citricola, Aphis craccivora, Aphis gossypii, Aphis spiraecola,
            Aleurothrixus floccosus, Saissetia oleae, Aspidiotus nerii, Ceroplastes
            cirripediformis, Saissetia coffee, Icerya purchasi, Aspidiotus nerii,
            Hemiberlesia rapax, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aphis fabae,
            Macrosiphum solanifolii, Aphis craccivora, Brevicoryne brassicae,
            Aphis gossypii, Macrosiphum spp. Aphis gossypii, Leptoglossus
            chilensis
Tysanoptera Chaetanaphothrips signipennis, Frankliniella parvula, Frankliniela
            birbicauda, Frankliniella occidentalis, Scirtothrips citri, Caliothrips
            phaseoli, Thrips tabaci, Thrips sp., y Frankliniella sp., Tagosodes
            oryzicola, Frankliniella bruneri, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis,
            Scirtothrips perseae, Scirtothrips aguacatae, Scirtothrips kupandae,
            Pseudophilothrips perseae, y Frankliniella australis
Acari       Tetranychus urticae, Brevipalpus chilensis, Colomerus vitis,
            Calepitrimerus vitis, Oligonychus vitis, Oligonychus yothersi,
            Aleurothrixus floccosus, Panonychus citri, Bryobia rubrioculus,
            Panonychus ulmi, Assayeurodes vaporariorum,

The formulations of the invention can be found in the form of a suspension for wettable powder, an oily dispersion, bait and gel, for use both on crops and seed coating and urban pest control. The following may be used in such formulations as carriers, without excluding others: clays, kaolin, talc, zeolite, water, vegetable oils, paraffinic or non-paraffinic minerals, among other carrier agents.

The formulation of the invention allows the control of pests, without the need to use conventional insecticides, and due to the characteristics of its components, it does not present environmental restrictions and can be used in organic production or other certification system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As regards the state of the art, we can cite patent ES 2 057 638, which refers to an insecticide composition comprising a biomass of Bacillus thuringiensis (selected among Bacillus thuringiensis var. Donegani, Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki, Bacillus thuringiensis var. San diego and Bacillus thuringiensis var. Tenebrionis), or only its toxin, and one or more phospholipids (selected from phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and their hydrogenated, hydroxylated and ethoxylated derivatives), or a substance with a high phospholipid content; and further containing at least one anionic surfactant chosen from fatty acid esters (C10-C20) with optionally ethoxylated glycerol or sorbitol; wherein the weight ratio of the biomass of Bacillus thuringiensis or its toxin to said surfactants is within the range of 1:0,2 a 1:5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to provide a biological insecticide formulation, intended for the control of pests in cultivated agricultural and forestry, ornamental, domestic and wild plants, those described in Table 1 among other pests.

The formulation comprises the bacterium Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, or the formulation further comprises spores of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391.

The entomopathogenic bacteria (BEP) and its possible formulations allow the control of pests without the need to use conventional insecticides and due to its characteristics does not present environmental restrictions and can be used in production, conventional, organic or other certification system.

The composition of the invention is characterized in that it comprises the strain, Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, together with other components, such as carriers, which are selected from the group formed by clays, kaolin, talc, zeolite, water, vegetable oils, paraffinic or non-paraffinic minerals among other agents. The formulation of the invention comprises Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, at concentrations in the range of 10⁶ to 10¹⁰ spores/g; preferably from 10⁷ to 10¹⁰ spores/g.

The formulation of the invention is in the form of a suspension capsule for seed treatment, bait in any of its forms; combi pack in any of its forms, concentrates; emulsifiable; concentrated suspension, encapsulated, miscible formulation, ultra-low volume formulation; tablets in any of its forms; ultra-low volume tablets; oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions, concentrated gel or paste, emulsifiable gel, seed treatment gel; dispersible, encapsulated, fine, soluble, emulsifiable granules; macro granules, micro granules; paste; contact powders, wettable, dispersible; seed treatment solution, concentrated suspension, not excluding others.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Experimental Assays with the Formulation of the Invention

The following experimental assays provide results of the efficacy of the formulation of the invention against various insect pests.

In an example of the invention, an oily dispersion formulation was generated, where in vegetable oil (80% v/v), Polyamide (4% v/v), Sorbitol (1% v/v), Ammonium Oxalate (2% v/v) and Sodium Hexametaphosphate (3%) were added as emulsifiers and dispersion improvers of the spores of Bacillus subtilis strain N° 5 NRRL 50391 at a concentration of 3×10⁸ spores/ml are added with 5% w/v peptone and 5% w/v starch, in order to increase palatability and generate an attraction effect on pests.

In a second example, a wettable powder formulation is generated, using 80% w/w zeolite as carrier, sorbitol (5% w/v) as dispersion improver, 5% peptone w/w and 5% starch w/w, in order to increase palatability and generate an attraction effect on pests and 5% diatomaceous earth to increase the penetration of the epithelium by the spores 5% w/w.

The formulations used in the assays are defined in the following Table 2, based on their components contained in the final formulation.

	TABLE 2
	Formulation
Component	1	2	3	4
Bacillus subtilis	3.0 × 108	3.0 × 108	3.0 × 108	3.0 × 108
strain No5 NRRL	spores/ml	spores/g	spores/g	spores/g
50391
Polyamide	4%
Sorbitol	1%	5%	5%	5%
Ammonium oxalate	2%
Sodium	3%
Hexametaphosphate
Peptone	5%	5%	5%
Potato starch	5%	5%	5%
Diatomaceous earth			5%
Zeolite		85%	80%	95%
Vegetal oil	80%

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Bacteria in the Control of Grapevine Leafhoppers (Pseudococcus viburni) Under Laboratory Conditions.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of entomopathogenic bacteria in the control of grapevine leafhoppers (Pseudococcus viburni), a laboratory assay was carried out using lemon tree fruits previously infested with Pseudococcus viburni. The methodological specifications of the assay are shown in Table 3.

The commercial product Confidor Forte 200 SL, which includes Imidacloprid, was used in the evaluation for comparison.

TABLE 3
Application methodology and treatments evaluated.
BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION
Target plague	Grapevine leafhoppers (Pseudococcus viburni)
Application unit	Micro-sprayer
Output by minute/	20.0	cc
Output by fruit	1.6	cc
Application date	Sep. 23, 2020
Working pressure	5	bars
Temperature	20°	C.
Relative humidity	60%
TREATMENTS
		Concentration
Product	Active ingredient	(g or cc/L)
13 different assay	Bacillus subtilis cepa N5	5.0
formulations.	NRRL 50391
	y/o
	Bacillus cereus cepa N6
Confidor Forte 200 SL	Imidacloprid	1.0
Control	—	—

Statistical design. The assay was carried out with a completely randomized design, with fifteen treatments and six replicates, each consisting of one lemon tree fruit. The results were subjected to an Analysis of Covariance and a Tukey test of separation of means, p≤0.05.

Application procedure. The core sample unit used was a lemon tree fruit previously infested with the pest. The application was carried out by means of a micro-sprayer equipment. The fruit was placed on a rotating base and then the nozzle trigger was pressed for 5 seconds (duration of the complete rotation of the platform) allowing a homogeneous application on the fruit.

The percentage of effectiveness was calculated according to the following formula:

$\%\mathrm{Effectiveness}\mathrm{corrected}=\frac{\left(\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{population}\mathrm{before}\mathrm{treatment}*n\mathrm{at}T\mathrm{after}\mathrm{treatment}\right)*100}{\left(\mathrm{Population}\mathrm{in}\mathrm{Co}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{treatment}*n\mathrm{at}T\mathrm{before}\mathrm{treatment}\right).}$

where:n=insect population,T=treated,

Co=Control

Strain N5=Bacillus subtilis strain N° 5 NRRL 50391Strain N6=Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL B 50392, strain belonging to the applicant's collection of microorganisms.

TABLE 4
Description of the 13 formulations used in the treatments designed to
measure the percentage of control efficacy at 13 days post-application.
Treatments     Formulation
1) N5 WP       From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
               50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite to a concentration of 3.0 × 108
               spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
2) N6 WP       From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL B
               50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite to a concentration of 1.0 × 108
               spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
3) N5 +        From the above formulations, a physical mixture of both
N6 WP          strains (Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL 50391 + Bacillus
               cereus strain N6 NRRL 50392) was made in a 1:1 ratio of
               each strain, until a total concentration of 1.0 × 108 spores/gr
               was obtained.
4) N5 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
starch         50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite + starch (5% w/w) to a concentration
               of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
5) N5 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
peptone        50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite + peptone (5% w/w) to a
               concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at
               80° C. for 12 hours.
6) N5 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
sacarose +     50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
peptone        dried in sterile zeolite + starch (5% w/w), peptone (5% w/w)
               to a concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at
               80° C. for 12 hours.
7) N6 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL B
starch         50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite + starch (5% w/w) to a concentration
               of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
8) N6 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL B
peptone        50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               dried in sterile zeolite + starch (5% w/w) to a concentration
               of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
9) N6 WP +     From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL B
starch +       50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
peptone        dried in sterile zeolite + starch (5% w/w) to a concentration
               of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
10) N6 od      From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL
               50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               mixed with vegetal oil (45 liters) to a concentration of 3.0 ×
               108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
11) N5 od      From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
               50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and
               mixed with vegetal oil (45 liters) to a concentration of 3.0 ×
               108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
12) N5 Od +    From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilis strain N5 NRRL
starch         50391, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted
               supplemented with starch and mixed with vegetal oil (45
               liters) to a concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were
               dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
13) N6 OD +    From a pure culture of Bacillus cereus strain N6 NRRL
starch         50392, with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted
               supplemented with starch and mixed with vegetal oil (45
               liters) to a concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were
               dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
Confidor Forte Imidacloprid 20% (v/w) ia. Bayer
200 SL
Control        Sterile water

Evaluation: To determine the effectiveness of the different treatments described in Table 4, two evaluations were carried out: prior to application and 13 days after application. In each evaluation, the abundance of adults and live nymphs of the grapevine leafhoppers was recorded using a stereoscopic magnifying glass.

Table 5 shows the results of the measurement of the control efficacy of entomopathogenic bacteria on the abundance of total grapevine leafhoppers. Quillota, 2016.

TABLE 5
Results of the efficacy of treatments with entomopathogenic bacteria
on the control of Pseudococcus viburnum in laboratory conditions.
                         % control efficacy
                         (Henderson and Tilton formula).
Treatments               13 days after application
N5 WP                    58.0 c
N6 WP                    8.3 e
N5 + N6 WP               12.6 e
N5 WP + starch           59.5 c
N5 WP + peptone          36.1 de
N5 WP + starch + peptone 56.2 c
N6 WP + starch           39.4 d
N6 WP + peptone          46.1 d
N6 WP + starch + peptone 30.3 de
N6 od                    11.7 e
N5 od                    21.6 e
N5 Od + starch           67.2 bc
N6 OD + starch           38.0 de
Confidor Forte 200 SL    78.1 a
Control                  0.0 e
Different letters (a-e) in treatments indicate statistically significant differences in multiple comparisons with Tukey's test within the same experimental conditions (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• • The strains that presented higher control efficacy of grapevine leafhopper P. viburni, according to the calculation with the Henderson and Tilton formula, were:
    • N5 WP (58.0%)
    • N5 WP+peptone (59.5%)
    • N5 WP+starch+peptone (56.2%)
    • N5 OD+starch (67.2%).

These treatments are different from the control.

Determination of the Control Activity of Formulations Containing Entomopathogenic Bacteria on Pests of Agricultural Interest.

This assay seeks to establish the effect delivered by various formulations of entomopathogenic bacteria, named as ES102M4 (27/01/21); BBA120 (27/01/21); NTD102 (27/01/21) and NBP 102 (27/01/21) against Pseudococcus viburni.

Methodology (Adapted from IRAC Methodologies No. 001 and 019)

Materials

• • 200 Petri dishes (9 cm diameter) per assay
  • Plastic bags
  • Absorbent cotton
  • Plastic boxes
  • Potato sprouts, untreated with insecticides
  • Vine leaves (insecticide-free)
  • Small tweezers
  • Fine-tipped paintbrush or cocktail stick
  • Glass beakers or flasks (approx. 100 ml capacity)
  • For test liquids 1 ml disposable plastic syringes for liquids and jewelry-type weighing scales (microgram accuracy) for solids
  • Binocular microscope 80X-400X
  • Thermometer

Methodology

Samples of different stages of grapevine leafhoppers were collected by collecting infested fruit from different plants at random in an untreated orchard. This material was initially transported and preserved in plastic boxes, taking care that they were not crushed or rolled inside. At least 20 adult specimens were destined to traditional taxonomy, following the guidelines of González R. H. Pseudocóccidos de importancia fruticola en Chile (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae)”. (2011), Universidad de Chile, Publications in Ciencias Agrícolas No. 18. p 186. p 186.

Once the pest species was confirmed, 100 third instar nymphs were transferred to potato shoots (using a hairbrush), where they were kept isolated until neonate nymphs of the F1 generation were obtained.

Once the neonate nymphs were obtained, some non-infested leaves of similar size and color (also untreated) were collected and used for controlled infestation of 5 nymphs per leaf, with 5 replicates for each dose evaluated.

Test dilutions of the different formulations were prepared in water, in 5 tentative increasing concentrations (treatments) (starting at the equivalent of 100 cc-g/1001; and gradually decreasing in 10 cc-g/1001, until an adequate adjustment of significance of the mortality curve was obtained. The pH of the dilutions was controlled and maintained between 6.9 and 7.2 (neutral). Each dose was replicated 4 times (repetitions); considering an independent assay for each formulation: ES102M4 (01/27/21); BBA120 (01/27/21); NTD102 (01/27/21) and NBP 102 (01/27/21). Test liquids were shaken, and then non-infested leaves were dipped for 5 seconds, five leaves per treatment, including a core sample (water only). The insects were transferred to the leaves once the reservoir was dry, with the aid of a small single hairbrush.

A small piece of wet absorbent cotton was placed around the petiole of each leaf to avoid dehydration. Petri dishes were stored in rearing chamber under light:dark control 12:12 hours; averaging 22±0.5° C. and 30% RH.

Using a binocular microscope, mortality was assessed after 3-24-48 and 72 h by testing the ability of each white piglet to show coordinated movement in response to a single hairbrush touch. Once the time required for insecticidal action was established, the assay was replicated by evaluating only at that interval (24 h). In parallel, surviving nymphs exposed to the formulations at less than the lethal dose were retained on new potato shoots (untreated) in order to quantify the average number of nymphs obtained per female during F2.

The results were expressed as percentage mortality (without the use of correction formulas), estimating the dose-response curve with probit analysis in order to estimate the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ of each formulation. Female fecundity was also quantified according to exposure dose (sublethal dose).

The description of the formulations used in the control of grapevine leafhoppers pests (Pseudococcus viburni) achieved with the formulations of the invention comprising entomopathogenic bacteria is shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6
Details of the formulations evaluated for the control delivered with entomopathogenic
bacteria on pests of agricultural interest (Pseudococcus viburni).
Treatments    Formulation
ES102M4       From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilus strain N5 NRRL 50391,
Formulation 1 with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted supplemented with
              starch (5% v/w) and peptone and mixed with vegetal oil (45 liters)
              to a concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C.
              for 12 hours.
BBA120        From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilus strain N5 NRRL 50391,
Formulation 2 with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and dried in sterile
              zeolite + starch (5% v/w), peptone (5% v/w) to a concentration of
              3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
NTD102        From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilus strain N5 NRRL 50391,
Formulation 3 with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and dried in sterile
              zeolite, supplemented with starch (5% v/w), peptone (5% v/w)
              and diatomaceous earth (5% v/w) to a concentration of 3.0 × 108
              spores/g, which were dried at 80° C. for 12 hours.
NBP102        From a pure culture of Bacillus subtilus strain N5 NRRL 50391,
Formulation 4 with 80% sporulation, 5 liters were extracted and dried in sterile
              zeolite, to a concentration of 3.0 × 108 spores/g, which were dried
              at 80° C. for 12 hours.
Control       Sterile water

Results

With the use of the four formulations described in Table 6, it was possible to demonstrate the response associated with mortality of the grapevine leafhoppers populations exposed to the treatments. The effective dose (estimated as LC₉₀ or mg of formulated product per liter of solution) is summarized in Table 7 (for the formulated product), which is suggested for use in future field assays.

TABLE 7
Sensitivity results obtained with the different formulations
(concentrations expressed in mg of formulated product/liter).
Sample			Standard
No	Reference	CL50	deviation	CL90	P value
1	ES102M4	10.13	1.07	29.81	<0.001
	(27/01/21)
2	BBA120	10.60	1.08	31.78	<0.001
	(27/01/21)
3	NTD102	10.34	1.07	29.75	<0.001
	(27/01/21)
4	NBP 102	13.56	1.13	57.26	<0.001
	(27/01/21)

Regarding female fecundity, when exposed to 10 ppm of the ES102M4 formulation (01/27/21), fecundity was observed to decrease from 250 nymphs to 170 viable nymphs (within one month of parturition, between Mar. 1 and Apr. 1, 2021).

For the formulations BBA120 (27/01/21); NTD102 (27/01/21); or NBP 102 (27/01/21), no significant variations in the evaluated ranges were detected.

Claims

1. A biological, chemical-free, insecticide formulation for the control of insect pests on plants, CHARACTERIZED in that said formulation comprises Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391, at concentrations from 10 to 1012 spores/g, preferably from 105 to 1010 spores/g, palatability enhancers or attractants, a carrier selected from clays, kaolin, talc, zeolite, water, vegetable oils, paraffinic or non-paraffinic minerals among other agents.

2. The biological insecticide formulation according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises spores of Bacillus subtilis strain No. 5 NRRL 50391.

3. The biological insecticide formulation, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises diatomaceous earth.

4. The biological insecticide formulation according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the palatability enhancers are selected from starch sources, including but not limited to: corn starch, rice starch, potato flour, a protein source, selected from peptone, yeast extract, fish oil, etc.

5. The biological insecticide formulation according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that in the formulation the starch sources are comprised in a proportion of 5 to 30%.

6. The biological insecticide formulation according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that in the formulation the protein source is comprised in a proportion of 7 to 35%.

7. The biological insecticide formulation, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the formulation is in the form of a suspension capsule for seed treatment, bait in any of its forms; combi pack in any of its forms, concentrates; emulsifiable; concentrated suspension, encapsulated, miscible, ultra-low volume; tablets in any of its forms; ultra-low volume; oil-in-water, water-in-oil emulsions for seed treatment; concentrated gel or paste, emulsifiable gel, gel for seed treatment; dispersible granules, encapsulated, fine, soluble, emulsifiable; macro granules, micro granules; paste; contact powders, wettable, dispersible for seed treatment, dispersible; solution for seed treatment, concentrated suspension for seed treatment.