Scientists at Ecogen, Inc., Langhorne, PA have isolated a new strain of Bacillus thuringiensis
that is active against adults and larvae of the southern corn rootworm. This is the first report of a
Bacillus thuringiensis strain active against corn rootworms. Other strains have been isolated
before with activity against beetles (e.g., Colorado potato beetle, elm leaf beetle), but these
strains were not active against corn rootworms. This discovery provides for the possibility of
microbial-based control strategies being developed for corn rootworms.
Source: Johnson, T. B. et al. 1993. Insecticidal activity of EG4961, a novel strain of
Bacillus thuringiensis toxic to
larvae and adults of southern corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle. J. Econ. Entomol. 86: 330-333.
