• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 1993

A bacterium, pathogenic to Nilaparvata lugens Stal. causing high mortality in 3~5 days, were selected and identified as Serratuz marcescens biotype A2a which is not a nosocomlally infective strain. In order to determine the characters of Serratia marcesce'1lS associated with insect pathogenicity, Tn5 mutagenesis was carried out by conjugating with E. coli pJB4J1. Transconjugants were plate-assayed for missing chitinase, protease and DNase activity. A protease negative mutant was selected for missing JOseet pathogenicity. SEM and TEM revealed the presence of bacterial cells in the epithelial tissue of inner abdomal tissue of the hypodermic layer of abdomen. Such a colonization was limmited to the subjacent tissue inside the intacL cuticular epidermis. These observation supported our result of pathogenicity tests of transconjugants.