Abstract: Provided herein are modified insecticidal proteins comprising an insecticidal protein, wherein the insecticidal protein has been modified to include at least one stink bug gut binding peptide.

Abstract: A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

Abstract: A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

Abstract: A coat protein of Junonia coenia densovirus (JcDNV) is used to deliver attached peptide insect toxin across the gut epithelium of a fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. A fusion protein comprising VP4 attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker is developed. A composition comprising a JcDNV coat protein attached to an insect toxin via a peptide linker can be used for insect pest control.

Abstract: Provided are chimeric Hemiptera-active insecticidal toxin proteins comprising a Bt toxin peptide with activity against Hemiptera, a peptide multimer or fusion protein containing such peptide which binds to the gut of sap-sucking insects, preferably the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. This insect carries a bacterium associated with Huanlongbing disease or citrus greening and damages citrus crops. When bound, this peptide mediates the binding of the chimeric insecticidal protein to the target insect gut. Also described are coding sequences, vectors, and transgenic plants genetically modified to contain and express such insecticidal proteins. Other delivery mechanisms such as use of phloem-inhabiting bacteria, are also contemplated. Thus, the use of these toxins reduces economic loss due to feeding by the target insect and also reduces loss due to plant diseases spread by the target insect.

Abstract: The invention involves combining a peptide toxin effective against insects, including but not limited to thrips, leaf hoppers, and beetles, with a transport peptide capable of facilitating transfer of the peptide toxin from the gut of an insect to the hemocoel. The combination can be effected by a fusion of genetic material encoding the peptide toxin and the transport peptide, such that expression of the genetic material fusion results in synthesis of a fusion protein combining the functions of both the toxin and the transport protein. Ingestion of the fusion protein by the sucking insect transfers the fusion protein into the insect's gut from which it is transferred into the hemocoel due to the functional activity of the transport peptide where the toxin exerts its toxic effect upon the insect. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is effective in control of such sucking insects as aphids, whiteflies and the like, and other vectors that transmit viruses in a circulative manner.

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: 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: The invention involves combining a peptide toxin effective against insects, including but not limited to thrips, leaf hoppers, and beetles, with a transport peptide capable of facilitating transfer of the peptide toxin from the gut of an insect to the hemocoel. The combination can be effected by a fusion of genetic material encoding the peptide toxin and the transport peptide, such that expression of the genetic material fusion results in synthesis of a fusion protein combining the functions of both the toxin and the transport protein. Ingestion of the fusion protein by the sucking insect transfers the fusion protein into the insect's gut from which it is transferred into the hemocoel due to the functional activity of the transport peptide where the toxin exerts its toxic effect upon the insect. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is effective in control of such sucking insects as aphids, whiteflies and the like, and other vectors that transmit viruses in a circulative manner.

Abstract: A diagnostic or control composition is useful to characterize or control insects and comprises a nucleotide sequence coding for juvenile hormone esterase (JHE). The coding sequence may be combined with a promoter sequence regulating the transcription thereof in a recombinant expression vector for use in controlling insects having a juvenile hormone esterase dependency. Preferred embodiments of the invention are recombinant baculoviruses in which a mutated JHE coding sequence provides relatively rapid speed of kill in insects.

Abstract: A diagnostic or control composition is useful to characterize or control insects and comprises a nucleotide sequence coding for juvenile hormone esterase (JHE). The coding sequence may be combined with a promoter sequence regulating the transcription thereof in a recombinant expression vector for use in controlling insects having a juvenile hormone esterase dependency. Preferred embodiments of the invention are recombinant baculoviruses in which a mutated JHE coding sequence provides relatively rapid speed of kill in insects.