Abstract: Novel insect toxins are disclosed for use in pesticidal compositions and methods. According to the invention basement membrane degrading proteases are identified which are capable of acting as insecticidal agents. Polynucleotides are provided which include expression constructs for the expression of the recombinant insecticidal proteases of the invention as recombinant insect pathogens, as well as transgenic plants with a substantial degree of insect resistance.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric aphicidal and insecticidal toxin proteins comprising peptide, peptide multimer or fusion protein containing such peptide which binds to the gut of sap-sucking insects, e.g., aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, or other target interest. When bound, this peptide mediates the binding of the chimeric aphicidal or other insecticidal protein to the target insect gut. Also described are coding sequences, vectors, and transgenic plants genetically modified to contain and express such aphicidal or insecticidal proteins. Thus, the use of such transgenic plants reduces economic loss due to feeding by the target insect and also reduces loss due to plant diseases spread by the target insect.