The milky spore disease bacterium is primarily effective against which pests?

The milky spore disease bacterium is primarily effective against which pests?

• A. Japanese beetle grubs
• B. Chinch bugs
• C. White grubs of multiple species
• D. Mole crickets

Answer: (A)

Milky spore disease is a biological control that is highly specific to a single pest: the larvae (grubs) of the Japanese beetle. The bacteria infects grub stage when they feed on turf roots, gradually killing them and leaving spores that persist in the soil to infect future grubs. Because its host range is mainly limited to Popillia japonica, it is most effective against Japanese beetle grubs and is not reliable for other turf pests. Chinch bugs, mole crickets, and grubs of other species aren’t targeted by this organism, so it won’t provide meaningful control for those pests.

Milky spore disease is a biological control that is highly specific to a single pest: the larvae (grubs) of the Japanese beetle. The bacteria infects grub stage when they feed on turf roots, gradually killing them and leaving spores that persist in the soil to infect future grubs. Because its host range is mainly limited to Popillia japonica, it is most effective against Japanese beetle grubs and is not reliable for other turf pests. Chinch bugs, mole crickets, and grubs of other species aren’t targeted by this organism, so it won’t provide meaningful control for those pests.