What is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and how does it function as a pest control agent?

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What is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and how does it function as a pest control agent?

Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium that makes insecticidal crystal proteins. When susceptible larvae swallow these proteins, the toxins are activated in the alkaline gut, bind to receptors on midgut cells, and form pores. This disrupts gut membranes, stops feeding, and leads to death, often after the gut barrier is compromised. Because of this gut-targeted action, Bt is used as a biological pesticide, in sprays or in crops engineered to produce the toxins, with activity limited to specific insect groups that have the corresponding gut receptors. It’s not a viral pathogen, not a fungal toxin, and not a plant-based repellent.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium that makes insecticidal crystal proteins. When susceptible larvae swallow these proteins, the toxins are activated in the alkaline gut, bind to receptors on midgut cells, and form pores. This disrupts gut membranes, stops feeding, and leads to death, often after the gut barrier is compromised. Because of this gut-targeted action, Bt is used as a biological pesticide, in sprays or in crops engineered to produce the toxins, with activity limited to specific insect groups that have the corresponding gut receptors. It’s not a viral pathogen, not a fungal toxin, and not a plant-based repellent.

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