Mycogen Corporation

Gregory A Bradfisch

Jewel M Payne

Judy Muller-Cohn

Kenneth Edwin Narva

Mark Thompson

Leslie A Hickle

H Ernest Schnepf

George E Schwab

Jenny M Fu

Leo Kim

August J Sick

Tracy Ellis Michaels

Brian A Stockhoff

Kendrick Akira Uyeda

Luis Foncerrada

The subject invention concerns the discovery ofisolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention,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.

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The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention concerns novel genes and pesticidal toxins referred to as 86A1(b) and 52A1(b). In preferred embodiments, the subject toxins are used for controlling flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Using the genes described herein, the transformation of plants can be accomplished using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the subject invention provides toxin genes optimized for expression in plants.

Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and genes for controlling coleopteran pests

The subject invention concerns the discovery of 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.

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates active against weevils

The subject invention concerns materials and methods useful in the control of pests and, particularly, the plant pests. More specifically, the subject invention concerns novel genes and pesticidal toxins referred to as 86A1(b) and 52A1(b). In preferred embodiments, the subject toxins are used for controlling flea beetles of the genus Phyllotreta. Using the genes described herein, the transformation of plants can be accomplished using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the subject invention provides toxin genes optimized for expression in plants.

The subject disclosure concerns,strains which can be used to control lepidopteran pests. The strains were previously known to control coleopteran pests. The discovery of lepidopteran activity was totally unexpected. These B.t. strains can be formulated using standard lepidopteran formulation procedures. Means of administration are also standard. The genes encoding lepidopteran-active toxins can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes or plants for use to control lepidopteran pests.

Process for controlling lepidopteron pests

The subject invention concerns the discovery of,isolates with advantageous activity against weevils. In preferred embodiments of the invention,,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.

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.

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, toxins, and genes selectively active

The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins and isolates against pests. More specifically, the subject invention relates to controlling coleopteran pests, with pesticidal proteins obtainable from B.t. isolate PS158C2, and lepidopteran pests, with pesticidal proteins obtainable from B.t. isolate HD511.

Materials and methods for controlling insect pests with pesticidal

The subject invention pertains to B.t. toxins and isolates active against pests.

Methods for controlling lepidopterans using Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, toxins, and genes for controlling

Disclosed are compositions and processes for controlling lepidopteran pests. These compositions comprise synergistic combinations of a CryIF chimeric and CryIA(c) chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxin. These compositions have been found to exhibit excellent activity against lepidopteran pests.

Pesticidal compositions

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.

The subject disclosure concerns Bacillus thuringiensis strains which can be used to control lepidopteran pests. The strains were previously known to control coleopteran pests. The discovery of lepidopteran activity was totally unexpected. These B.t. strains can be formulated using standard lepidopteran formulation procedures. Means of administration are also standard. The genes encoding lepidopteran-active toxins can be isolated from the B.t. isolates and used to transform other microbes for use to control lepidopteran pests.

Process for controlling lepidopteran pests

Disclosed and claimed are Bacillus thuringiensis isolates designated B.t. PS86A1 and B.t. PS86Q3, which are active against corn rootworm larvae and the alfalfa weevil. 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 such hosts results in the control of corn rootworm larvae and the alfalfa weevil.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Gregory A Bradfisch