BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS KURSTAKI

What is Bacillus thuringiensis ?

• a naturally occurring bacterial disease of insects

• insecticides are most commonly used against some leaf- and needle-feeding caterpillars

Bacillus thuringiensis

Basically,

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an insecticide with unusual properties that make it useful for pest control in certain situations

Because of this property, Bt has been developed for insect control

One of its most popular strain is Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki

What are the properties in Bt?

Bt acts by producing proteins (delta-endotoxin, the "toxic crystal") that reacts with the cells of the gut lining of insects

Even dead bacteria containing the proteins are effective insecticides

Bt insecticides do not have a broad spectrum of activity, so they do not kill beneficial insects e.g-honeybees

The kurstaki strain

Highly specific (affects only- leaf- and needle-feeding caterpillars)

Highly effective

Most tested and secured for usage