Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel insecticidal toxins and genes which encode these toxins. Also disclosed are novel nucleotide primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against pests. The primers are usefull in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns the unique utility of fatty acids and their derivatives to eradicate existing fungal and bacterial infections in plants. Also, described herein are combination treatments whereby fatty acids are used to enhance or augment the activity of fungicides, bactericides, and biological control agents.

Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis genes encoding toxins which are active against lepidopteran insects have been cloned from novel lepidopteran-active B. thuringiensis microbes. The DNA encoding the B. thuringiensis toxins can be used to transform various prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes to express the B. thuringiensis toxins. These recombinant microbes can be used to control lepidopteran insects in various environments.

Abstract: The invention concerns an in vitro process for altering the insect host range (spectrum) or increasing the toxicity of lepidopteran active B.t. crystal protein toxins. The process comprises recombining in vitro the variable region(s) (non-homologous) of two or more genes encoding lepidopteran active B.t. crystal protein toxins. Specifically exemplified is the recombining of the variable regions of two genes obtained from well-known strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. The resulting products are chimeric toxins which are shown to have an expanded and/or amplified lepidopteran insect host range as compared to the parent toxins.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidal toxins and the polynucleotide sequences which encode these toxins. Also described are novel pesticidal isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis toxins with hymenopteran activity are described.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis microbes with activity against select coleopteran pests, e.g., Diabrotica sp., Hypera sp., and various flea beetles. For example, the B.t. isolates of the invention are active against alfalfa weevils (AW, Hypera brunneipennis), rape flea beetles (RFB, Phyllotreta cruciferae), and corn rootworms (CRW, Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata). Thus, these microbes can be used to control these pests. Further, genes encoding toxins active against these pests can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes. The transformed microbes then can be used to control susceptible coleopteran pests. In preferred embodiments, a gene from PS140E2 is used to transform plants so that the transformed plants are resistant to flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the control of pests of the family Calliphoridae are described. Specifically, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) isolates having anti-calliphorid activity are disclosed. Also described are recombinant hosts which express B.t. genes coding for pesticidal toxins. The B.t. isolates and recombinant proteins are shown to be useful in a method for controlling calliphorids including screw-worms and the sheep blowfly.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for the control of non-mammalian pests. In specific embodiments, the subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of insects from the Order Homoptera. More specifically, the subject invention provides novel Bacillus thuringinesis (B.t.) isolates, or strains, toxins, and toxin-encoding genes that are useful for the control of homopterans. The strains HD969, PS66D3, and PS50C are specifically exemplified herein as yielding mortality against homopterans. In a preferred embodiment, the target pests are selected from the group consisting of leafhoppers and planthoppers.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel hybrid pesticidal toxins. These toxins are expressed as the fusion protein of a chimeric gene. Specifically exemplified is a novel B.t. hybrid toxin. These novel toxins have increased toxicity against target pests. The invention also concerns a process for preparing a hybrid virus having an altered insect host range.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins and isolates against pests. More specifically, the subject invention relates to controlling coleopteran pests, with pesticidal proteins obtainable from B.t. isolate PS158C2, and lepidopteran pests, with pesticidal proteins obtainable from B.t. isolate HD511.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a means for discovery of microbes having useful activities. More specifically, the subject invention comprises the use of nematodes as the starting material for discovering novel strains of microbes such as Bacillus thuringiensis or other Bacilli. The nematodes are processed by Bacillus isolation techniques to recover the microbes.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have lepidopteran activity. Thus, these isolates, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such insect pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from the isolates and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in such hosts results in the control of susceptible insect pests in the environment of such hosts.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins and isolates active against pests.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention concerns novel genes and pesticidal toxins referred to as 86A1(b) and 52A1(b). In preferred embodiments, the subject toxins are used for controlling flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Using the genes described herein, the transformation of plants can be accomplished using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the subject invention provides toxin genes optimized for expression in plants.

Abstract: Noven B.t. genes encoding toxins active against nematode pests have been cloned. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel methods and compositions utilizing novel fatty acid salts which exhibit excellent herbicidal activity in controlling unwanted vegetation. The novel compositions and methods described here facilitate effective weed control using a water soluble salt of a fatty acid.

Abstract: An improved Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) delta-endotoxin is created by the modification of the gene encoding the toxin. The toxicity of a B.t. toxin was improved by replacing the native protoxin segment with an alternate protoxin segment by constructing a chimeric toxin gene.

Abstract: Fatty acid herbicides are applied in an oil based formulation without dilution in water. The application volume rate is low, ie., 25 gallons/acre or less, which saves time, energy and other resources. Less fatty acid herbicide is also employed for equivalent control using high volume water based formulations.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are toxins produced by novel Bacillus thuringiensis insolates designated B.t. PS92J, B.t. PS196S1, B.t. PS201L1; and B.t. PS201T6, which have dipteran and/or corn rootworm activity. Thus, the insolates, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such pests. Further, claimed are novel genes encoding these .delta.-emdotoxins, which can be expressed in other hosts, Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in such hosts results in the control of susceptible insect pests in the environment of such hosts.