Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

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: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is a novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolate designated B.t. PS192N1 which has dipteran activity. Thus, this isolate, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such insect pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from the isolate 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: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) which contain a toxin(s) which is active against nematodes. This B.t. toxin(s) or B.t. isolate(s) can be used to treat animals and plants hosting susceptible nematodes.

Abstract: Novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with hymenopteran activity are described. Also described are toxins having the advantageous hymenopteran activity.This invention further concerns genes or gene fragments which have been cloned from the novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have formicidal activity. These genes or gene fragments can be used to transform suitable hosts for controlling ants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant of Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a larger amount of crystal delta-endotoxin with a greater pesticidal activity as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The mutant may also have a larger crystal size as compared to the corresponding parental strain. The crystal delta-endotoxin produced by the mutant Bacillus thuringiensis will have an activity directed towards the same pest(s) as its parental Bacillus thuringiensis crystal delta-endotoxin. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a mutant, compositions comprising such a mutant as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

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

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel materials and methods for the control of cockroaches. Cockroaches are common house pests, and they create problems in hospitals, the food industry and in agriculture. According to the subject invention, activated toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t.i.) are used to control cockroaches. In one embodiment, the subject invention also concerns the use of B.t. PS123D1 to control cockroaches. A truncated form of a toxin obtained from PS123D1 having particular activity to cockroaches is also claimed for use in controlling the pest.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and genes encoding novel toxin proteins with activity against cockroaches. Cockroaches are common house pests, and they create problems in hospitals, the food industry and in agriculture. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS185L8. The subject invention also concerns the use of B.t. PS201T6 to control cockroaches. A truncated form of a toxin obtained from PS201T6 having particular activity to cockroaches is also claimed for use in controlling the pest. The spores or crystals of the two microbes, or mutants thereof, are useful to control cockroaches in various environments. The genes of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic proteins can be expressed.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns Bacillus thuringiensis isolates designated B.t. PS157C1, B.t. PS86A1, and B.t. PS75J1, which are active against aphid pests. Thus, these isolates, or variants thereof, can be used to control such pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from these isolates and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in microbe hosts results in the control of aphid pests, whereas transformed plants become resistant to aphid pests.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel microbe and gene encoding a novel toxin protein with activity against insect pests of the order Coleoptera. Pests in the order Coleoptera do heavy damage to crops, e.g., corn. The novel Bacillus thuringiensis microbe of the invention is referred to as B.t. PS50C. The spores or crystals of this microbe, or mutants thereof, are useful to control coleopteran pests in various environments. The novel gene of the invention can be used to transform various hosts wherein the novel toxic protein can be expressed.

Abstract: This invention concerns genes or gene fragments which have been cloned from novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have nematicidal activity. These genes or gene fragments can be used to transform suitable hosts for controlling nematodes.

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.

Abstract: Nematicidal .delta.-endotoxin encoding genes have been cloned from a novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolate known as B.t. PS17. These novel genes, designated B.t. PS17a, B.t. PS17b, B.t. PS17d, and B.t. PS17e, can be transferred to various microbial and plant hosts via known techniques. In the microbial or plant host, one or more of the genes of the invention can be used to express the novel nematicidal toxins to control susceptible nematodes.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are Bacillus thuringiensis isolates designated B.t. PS50C, B.t. PS86A1, B.t. PS69D1, B.t. PS72L1, B.t. PS75J1, B.t. PS83E5, B.t. PS45B1, B.t.. PS24J, B.t. PS94R3, B.t. PS17, B.t. PS62B1 and B.t. PS74G1 which are active against acaride pests. Thus, these isolates, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from these isolates and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in microbe hosts results in the control of acaride pests, whereas transformed plants become resistant to acaride pests.