Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis serovar bolivia (serotype H63),a novel serovar isolated from the Bolivian high valleys

The type strain Bacillus rhuringiensis var. bolivia (serotype H63), isolate d from the Bolivian high valleys, has been characterized at different level s. Its parasporal crystal has an unusual shape and it is composed of a prot ein of 155 kDa which shows two bands of 75 and 80 kDa after activation. Ana lysis by PCR shows the presence of cry1 genes, and amplification with speci fic primers gave products for cry1E, cry1D cry4 A and cry4B with sizes diff erent to those expected. Immunoblotting tests showed positive reaction for G-g 1E, Cry3 A, Cry4 A and Cry11 A crystal proteins. The plasmid pattern re vealed two large and two small plasmids. Toxicity tests were performed agai nst 14 insects and a slight toxicity was found against Plutella xylotella a nd Trichoplusia ni.