Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel transgenic maize event expressing the truncated or modified Cry1Da insecticidal protein designated as Event ME240913. The invention relates to nucleic acids that are unique to Event ME240913. Primers, amplicon, methods and kits for detecting the presence of Event ME240913 are also defined. The invention further relates to maize plants containing said event, uses thereof, methods and compositions for controlling lepidopteran insect pests. The invention describes a maize event that has shown a high level of plant protection against feeding damage caused by Lepidoptera, including S. frugirperda, as well as Cry1F resistant insects. The event of the invention was shown to be highly toxic to S. frugirperda.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new codon-optimized cry1Da nucleic acid molecules from a gene sequence isolated from bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. These molecules are used in the preparation of nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells, allowing the production of transgenic plants, such as corn, resistant to invertebrate pests, such as insects from the order Lepidoptera, particularly Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) and Diatrea saccharalis (Crambidae, Lepidoptera). Plant cells and transgenic plants comprising the molecules or constructs of the invention are also objects of the present invention. In particular, the transgenic plants according to the present invention are able to control caterpillars of the cited species that have become resistant to plants containing the cry1F gene.