Bacillus thuringiensis insecticides in crop protection - reality and prospects

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been the leading biopesticide against lepid opterous pests since 1959. In the 1990s the following developments contribu ted to increased rational uses of Bt: (1) natural and recombinant Bt produc ts were developed to broaden the insect host range in pest management progr ams; (2) new formulations based on conventional or genetically engineered e ncapsulation of the toxins and/or feeding stimulants to increase ingestion and, in turn, the efficacy of the microbe; (3) screening of the interaction s of Bt with insect herbivores and plant allelochemicals or natural enemies of the pests, to aid the formulation of biological control strategies; and (4) knowledge and management of insect resistance to Bt. The prospects for Bt insecticides will be described and discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.