Mycogen Corporation

Jenny M Fu

Jewel M Payne

Kenneth Edwin Narva

Gregory A Bradfisch

Judy Muller-Cohn

H Ernest Schnepf

George E Schwab

Mark Thompson

Luis Foncerrada

Heidi J Uick

John B Randall

M Keith Kennedy

Henry Meier

Tracy Ellis Michaels

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 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.

Novel Bacillus thuringiensis toxins with hymenopteran activity are described.

Bacillus thuringiensis toxins active against hymenopteran pests

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

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates, toxins, and genes for controlling

Noven B.t. genes encoding toxins active against nematode pests have been cloned. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Bacillus thuringiensis genes encoding nematode-active toxins

Novel B.t. genes encoding toxins active against nematode pests have been cloned. The DNA encoding the B.t. toxin can be used to transform various hosts to express the B.t. toxin.

Certain known and available strains of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) have been found to have activity against coleopteran pests. Previously, these strains were not known to have any insecticidal properties. The B.t. strains can be used in various environments to control coleopteran pests, e.g., the Colorado Potato Beetle. Also described are novel toxins, and genes coding for these toxins, which have coleopteran activity.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Jenny M Fu