Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the ability of a compound to bind to the GABA recognition site of an insect GABA receptor. The invention further provides host cells that express a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit LCCH3 and a nucleic acid encoding the GABA receptor subunit Grd, and cell membranes obtained from the host cells.

Abstract: Genes encoding insect-specific paralytic neurotoxins, particularly those of insect-parasitic mites, including Pyemotes, are described. Recombinant DNA molecules in which the neurotoxin coding sequences are placed under the control of heterologous promoters are also described. Such molecules are useful for the development of biological insect control agents which produce insect-toxic levels of the neurotoxin. Specifically described are genetically altered baculoviruses which produce insect-specific paralytic neurotoxins and which display improved toxic effect on insects. Insect-toxic compositions are also provided. Methods of insect control using these neurotoxin genes, methods for production of neurotoxins in cells, and methods of production of insect control agents are described.