Characterization of cell lines developed from the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

In order to isolate nets pathogens (viruses, microsporidia. etc.) or to evaluate the efficiency of some pathogen: (sero-varieties, anal mutants of Bacillus., thuringiensis. fungi, etc.) in the control of Colorado potato beetle, an economically important pest, we established four cell lines front tissues Of this insect. One leas initiated from embryonated egg fragment; ill the M3 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and then transferred after several passages to the Ex-Cell 100 medium with 20% FBS. Another was initiated front tarsal hemocytes in Et-Cell 400 with 5% FBS. Finally. two other cell lines were initiated from adult hemocytes: one in the Et-Cell 100 with 20% FBS and 1% of lipid mixture and the Other in the Ex-Cell 100 with 5% FBS only. These cell lines lime been characterized by their morphology with light and electron microscopy, their karyotypes, cell growth, and isozyme analysis. Each cell line differed in morphologic. karyologic. growth, and isozyme patterns. The cell line initiated front embryonated eggs was grossing slower than the three initiated from hemocytes. The cytotoxicity of solubilized crystal delta-endotoxins from different B. thuringiensis formulation, (M-One. Trident, MYX-1806, Teknar-HPD. and Thuricide) and of destruxins, mycotoxins from Metarhizium anisopliae, was tested on these cell fines. They are sensitive to the solubilized toxins of some strains of B. thuringiensis (serovar. San Diego and serovar. tenebrionis) and to destruxins. and then can be used fur the bioassay and detection of toxin, and for the study of the mechanism of their action on coleopteran cells.