Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from Argentina that are potentially useful in insect pest control

In order to find novel strains of Bacillus thuringiensis that are toxic to some of the major pests that impact economically important crops in Argentina, we initiated a search for B. thuringiensis isolates native to Argentina. We succeeded in assembling a collection of 41 isolates, some of which show a high potential to be used in biological control programs against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests. About 90% of the strains showed toxicity against Spodoptera frugiperda and Anticarsia gemmatalis, two important lepidopteran pests in Argentina. It is noteworthy that only one of these strains contained a cry1-type gene, while another isolate showed a dual toxicity against the lepidopteran and coleopteran insects assayed. Genetic characterization of the strains suggests that the collection likely harbors novel Cry proteins that may be of potential use in biological insect pest control.