Abstract: Effective sustained release of microbial pesticides in aquatic environments can be achieved by the combination of buoyant particles with a particulate microbial active ingredient. The resulting materials in the form of a particulate have combined density of less than one. The materials are then dispersed into gypsum slurry that is poured into briquette molds, or made into granules or pellets of various sizes, to form a solid, sinking, pest control composition. Once applied in aquatic field sites, the surface of the matrix slowly dissolves, releasing many minute buoyant pesticide laden particles to the water surface over the life of the product. Once at the surface, the particulate microbial pesticide(s) release from the buoyant particles and are distributed throughout the water column to be ingested by susceptible immature filter feeding mosquitoes and pestiferous flies.

Abstract: An environmentally safe, pesticidally effective composition is provided to treat and/or prevent plant or plant product damage caused by bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. In an exemplary embodiment, a composition is provided that includes a pesticidally effective concentration of at least one betaine as well as at least one solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling insects of the Order Diptera by providing a Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or a spore or crystal of the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, and either contacting the insect with or administering to an animal the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or the spore or crystal of the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof; or applying the Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof, or the spore or crystal of Bacillus thuringiensis strain or variant thereof to an infested area. The Bacillus thuringiensis strain contains a plasmid carrying endotoxin genes for encoding delta-endotoxins Cry1A, Cry1B, Cry1F, Cry1H, Cry1I, Cry1K, Cry2 or a variant thereof. Preferably, the strain is Bacillus thuringiensis strain LRC3 deposited as ATCC PTA-6248. Methods for preparing the strain, spores, crystals, mutants, variants, and compositions incorporating same are described.

Abstract: A cement paste containing microbial cells which has a sustained effect and an excellent function of purifying water. This cement paste contains a mixture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus cells at a mixing ratio by mass of 0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50:0.1 to 50.

Abstract: This invention is a method for constructing recombinant organisms that produce proteins lethal to the larvae of insects. Nucleotide sequences were isolated from Bacillus popilliae that encode two adjacent, putative genes; orf1 and cryhime1. The cryhime1 sequence was related to other Bacillus popilliae genes that encode proteins active against Scarabaeidae insect larvae. When these nucleotide sequences were transferred to Bacillus thuringiensis, a protein was produced that had a lethal effect on the larvae from Scarabaeidae insects. When the orf1 sequence was removed from the recombinant Bacillus thuringiensis strain, no protein active against Scarabaeidae insect larvae was produced, strongly suggesting that the orf1 sequences are required for expression of the cryhime1 gene.

Abstract: A method for controlling Dipteran larvae or a method for inhibiting the development of larvicidal resistance, controlling resistant populations and reducing resistance levels in Diptera by introducing a larvicidally-effective amount of a combination of a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis and a strain of Bacillus sphaericus into an environment containing Dipteran larvae; and a composition of the combination are disclosed. Preferably both strains are non-genetically modified.

Abstract: The principal aim of the present invention is to afford a bioinsecticide dry composition based on entomotoxines of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, which is characterized by its practicability, economy and efficacy in controlling Dipteral insects, being, at the same time, ecologically safe.

Abstract: Methods for identifying an organism with pesticidal activity are provided. The methods comprise binding the proteins expressed by the organism to a substrate (test proteins), contacting the substrate with proteins or lipids expressed by a target pest (target substances), and detecting whether the target substances have bound to the test proteins. This method is useful in rapidly identifying organisms that express proteins with pesticidal activity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to Bacillus mutants which produce a factor which potentiates the pesticidal activity of a Bacillus related pesticide, a chemical pesticide and/or a virus with pesticidal properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a B.t. hybrid toxin fragment comprising at its C-terminus domain III of a first Cry protein, or a part of said domain or a protein substantially similar to said domain; and comprising at its N-terminus the N-terminal region of a second Cry protein, or a part of said region or a protein substantially similar to said region.

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: Four novel Bacillus thuringiensis strains, which are deposited at the BCCM-LMG under accession nos. LMG P-12592, LMG P-12593, LMG P-12594, and LMG P-13493, produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Lepidoptera, more particularly against Noctuidae such as Spodoptera spp. and Agrotis ipsilon, against Pyralidae such as Ostrinta nubilalis, and against Yponomeutidae such as Plutella xylostella, and that are encoded by a novel gene. The crystal proteins contain protoxins, which can yield a toxin as trypsin-digestion product. A plant, the genome of which is transformed with a DNA sequence that comes from either one of the strains and that encodes its respective toxin, is resistant to Lepidoptera. Each strain, itself, or its crystals, crystal proteins, protoxin or toxin can be used as the active ingredient in an insecticidal composition for combatting Lepidoptera.

Abstract: The principal aim of the present invention is to afford a bioinsecticide dry composition based on entomotoxines of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis, which is characterized by its practicability, economy and efficacy in controlling Dipteral insects, being, at the same time, ecologically safe. Thus, the principal objective of this invention is to get a bioinsecticide dry formulation comprising: (a) entomotoxines, pure or not, of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis; (b) chemical dryers; (c) dispersing agents; (d) agglutinant/humectant agents; (e) protectors against sunlight; and (f) optionally, diluent, lubricant and neutralizing agents. A first embodiment of this invention is related to a bioinsecticide formulation dispensed as dry powder, or tablets, comprising additives carrying the entomotoxines, pure or not, selected in way to afford a high dispersion of the active component in the application area, but bringing about no risks to the environment.

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

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the discovery of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention, B.t. isolates, or toxins therefrom, are used to control alfalfa weevils, boll weevils, and/or rice water weevils. The toxins can be administered to the pests through a variety of methods including the transformation of bacteria or plants to produce the weevil-active toxins.

Abstract: Disclosed are Bacillus thuringiensis strains comprising novel crystal proteins which exhibit insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are novel B. thuringiensis genes and their encoded crystal proteins, as well as methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel nucleic acid sequences of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis characterized in that it expresses the gene sigma E (&sgr;E) and does not sporulate at all or little sporulates or does not produce any viable spores. The invention also relates to a pesticide composition containing said strain of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel Lepidopteran- and Coleopteran-active &dgr;-endotoxin polypeptide, and compositions comprising the polypeptide, peptide fragments thereof, and antibodies specific therefor. Also disclosed are vectors, transformed host cells, and transgenic plants that comprise nucleic acid segments encoding the polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of identifying related polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel sequences of the invention, as well as methods for controlling an insect population, such as the Western Corn Rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, and for conferring to a plant population resistance to the target insect species.

Abstract: A method for controlling Dipteran larvae or a method for inhibiting the development of larvicidal resistance, controlling resistant populations and reducing resistance levels in Diptera by introducing a larvicidally-effective amount of a combination of a strain of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis and a strain of Bacillus sphaericus into an environment containing Dipteran larvae; and a composition of the combination are disclosed. Preferably both strains are non-genetically modified.

Abstract: The invention is related to a novel biologically pure Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) strains active against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests which produces a bipyramidal crystal consisting essentially of at least two delta-endotoxins having a molecular weight of about 130,000 daltons and a rhomboidal crystal consisting essentially of two delta-endotoxins, each having a molecular weight of about 33,000 daltons, as well as spores, crystals, delta-endotoxins and/or mutants thereof. The invention also relates to insecticidal compositions obtainable therefrom. The invention further relates to methods of using the insecticidal compositions to control an insect pest(s) from the order Lepidoptera and/or Coleoptera. The invention also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the delta-endotoxins.

Abstract: An MF2 protein having the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ. ID. NO. 2, itself or as a part of any larger protein, or a functional derivative thereof having antiviral and/or antifungal activities, which protein is derivable from Bacillus thuringiensis. The invention also concerns a method for isolating and purifying the protein from bacterial cells expressing said protein, recombinant expression of the MF2 gene in a host cell, and the use of said protein as plant protectant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel Lepidopteran- and Coleopteran-active &dgr;-endotoxin polypeptide, and compositions comprising the polypeptide, peptide fragments thereof, and antibodies specific therefor. Also disclosed are vectors, transformed host cells, and transgenic plants that comprise nucleic acid segments encoding the polypeptide. Also disclosed are methods of identifying related polypeptides and polynucleotides, methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel sequences of the invention, as well as methods for controlling an insect population, such as the Western Corn Rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, and for conferring to a plant population resistance to the target insect species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a factor that potentiates the pesticidal activity of a Bacillus related pesticide as well as methods for isolating and identifying said factor. The invention further relates to pesticidal compositions comprising the factor as well as methods of using the pesticidal compositions to control a pest and decrease the resistance of a pest to a pesticide and potentiate a Bacillus related pesticide.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences which encode these proteins. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, pesticidal proteins of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa are used for controlling corn rootworms. Also described are novel pesticidal isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods usefull in the control of non-mammalian pests and, particularly, plant pests. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention provides new Bacillus thuringiensis toxins usefull for the control of lepidopterans. The subject invention further provides nucleotide sequences which encode the toxins of the subject invention. The nucleotide sequences of the subject invention can be used to transform hosts, such as plants, to express the pesticidal toxins of the subject invention. The subject invention further concerns novel nucleotide primers for the identification of genes encoding toxins active against pests. The primers are useful in PCR techniques to produce gene fragments which are characteristic of genes encoding these toxins. The primers are also usefull as nucleotide probes to detect the toxin-encoding genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel synergistic composition comprising extract obtained from the plant Albizzia lebbeck together with Bacillus thuringiensis &dgr;-endotoxin, useful in controlling lepidopteran insects, methods for the preparation of the composition and application of the insecticidal composition to standing crops.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: This invention is directed to Bacillus mutants which produce a factor which potentiates the pesticidal activity of a Bacillus related pesticide, a chemical pesticide and/or a virus with pesticidal properties.

Abstract: Controlled release compositions of matter are disclosed comprising complexes for treating a population of one or more aquatic organisms in a column of water. The complexes comprise at least one system wherein the system comprises at least one bioactive agent as a component selected for treating a population of aquatic organisms, at least one carrier component, and at least one coating component for regulating the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water or at least one bioactive agent and one joint-function component that can serve as both a carrier and coating to regulate the controlled release rate and release profile of the bioactive agent in water, with or without optional binder components and/or additional formulation materials. The components are selected to sink or float so that the complexes will permeate and/or remain in any planar or volumetric segment of a water column for a period of time that is sufficient to effectively treat a population of aquatic organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are Bacillus thuringiensis strains comprising novel crystal proteins which exhibit insecticidal activity against coleopteran insects including red flour beetle larvae (Tribolium castaneum) and Japanese beetle larvae (Popillia japonica). Also disclosed are novel B. thuringiensis crystal toxin genes, designated cryET33 and cryET34, which encode respectively the coleopteran-toxic proteins, CryET33 (29-kDa) crystal protein, and CryET34 (14-kDa) crystal protein. Also disclosed are methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel nucleic acid sequences of the invention.

Abstract: Endotoxins, in a preparation of ice granules, from Bacillus thuringiensis and/or Bacillus sphaericus are used to combat mosquito larva.

Abstract: An improved Bacillus thuringiensis biocontrol stain, useful to control insect and fungal attack on crop plants, is provided. The chitinase and DNA sequence encoding the chitinase are also encompassed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an integrant(s) of Bacillus thuringiensis. The invention further relates to such integrants, compositions comprising such integrants, as well as methods for controlling a pest(s) using these compositions.

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

Abstract: This invention is directed to Bacillus mutants which produce a factor which potentiates the pesticidal activity of a Bacillus related pesticide, a chemical pesticide and/or a virus with pesticidal properties.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for obtaining a factor which potentiates the pesticidal activity of a Bacillus related pesticide, a chemical pesticide and/or a virus with pesticidal properties.

Abstract: Novel bacterial isolates of B. thuringiensis are disclosed which have enhanced toxicity with respect to previously resistant or insufficiently susceptible insect species, including, but not limited to, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua, as well as certain secondary pests such as Trichoplusia ni. Such isolates may be characterized by their possession of a particular subset of the genes coding for the various B. thuringiensis &dgr;-endotoxin proteins and by a characteristic plasmid profile, or array, known to be associated therewith.

Abstract: Novel bacterial isolates of B. thuringiensis are disclosed which have enhanced toxicity with respect to previously resistant or insufficiently susceptible insect species, including, but not limited to, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera frugiperda and Spodoptera exigua, as well as certain secondary pests such as Trichoplusia ni. Such isolates may be characterized by their possession of a particular subset of the genes coding for the various B. thuringiensis &dgr;-endotoxin proteins and by a characteristic plasmid profile, or array, known to be associated therewith.

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.