ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF CLOSTRIDIUM BREVIFACIENS N.SP. AND C. MALACOSOMAE N.SP., THE CAUSES OF BRACHYTOSIS OF TENT CATERPILLARS

Abstract

Clostridium brevifaciens n.sp. and C. malacosomae n.sp. were isolated and cultured from larvae of tent caterpillars suffering from brachytosis. Cultures of both species produce the disease when fed to susceptible larvae. The bacteria are described and directions are given for preparing the specialized medium in which they grow. Clostridium brevifaciens is the primary cause of brachytosis of Malacosoma pluviale (Dyar) in nature, but C. malacosomae sometimes occurs in mixed infections and, by itself, produces similar symptoms of disease in experimental larvae.