This microbe is a member of the Bacillus cereus family, which includes B. cereus, B. megaterium, and B. thuringiensis. These are Gram positive endospore-forming rods belonging to the Group 1a Bacilli known for oblong spores that do not distend the sporangium. They are catalase positive and ferment carbohydrates without production of gas. They grow well over a wide range of temperatures.
B. megaterium has great economic importance, as a vehicle for genetic engineering and as a producer of a variety of chemicals and enzymes valuable to industry. It is not associated with human infections.