“Target the pest, not the rest”, Novel Bt galleriae with Cry8Da protein (grubGONE!®, beetleGONE!® & boreGONE!®) provides selective control of Popillia japonica, Agrilus planipennis, Hypera brunipennis and others while preserving beneficial insects

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae (BTG) is a novel BT strain developed by Phyllom BioProducts. The novel beetle active protein toxin Cry8Da, (group 11 in the IRAC classification), is a microbial disruptor of insect mid gut membranes. Like most pathogenic organisms, BTG is active against a very narrow range of host species. Marketed as grubGONE!®, beetleGONE!® and boreGONE!®, these BTG products are for the control of adult and or larvae of the Scarabaeidae, Buprestidae, Curculionidae and Tenebrionidae families. Susceptible beetles must consume the Cry8Da protein by ingesting either treated plant foliage or soil. Within 1-2 days after ingestion the beetles stop feeding and eventually die.

According to the code of federal regulations, 40 CFR 180.1011 - Viable spores of the microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis are exempt from the requirement of a tolerance.  Extensively tested in the field since 2005, Development in the US is currently focused on soil applications against grubs in turf, ornamentals and food crops and against foliar beetle pests attacking fruits, berries and alfalfa. In addition, Bt galleriae has been found to be effective against the darkling beetle a vector of poultry disease.

In the US trials, rates of 2-3 lbs./ac of the dried fermentation solids, spores and protein toxin were highly effective for foliar applications. Higher rates are required for soil drenches. Within the Scarabaeidae family pests such as: Japanese, Oriental, Asiatic Garden, June beetles and European, Southern and Northern Masked chafers are controlled in either adult or grub stages. In the weevil family, both alfalfa and rice water weevil larvae are susceptible. Of particular significance is the activity against wood boring Buprestidae such as the emerald ash borer and the gold spotted oak borer. Activity was also confirmed against the darkling beetle a poultry vector.

BT galleriae demonstrated very low toxicity for mammals (both acute and chronic), high intrinsic activity on target pests, strong adulticidal and larvicidal properties, effective crop protection and no cross-resistance to any existing insecticide. BT galleriae demonstrated a high degree of against the target pests, stability of performance across the different conditions and no adverse impact on all non-targets tested including pollinators, beneficial insects, aquatic and avian species. This new mode of action for the target species makes Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae a valuable option for insecticide resistance management strategies, selectivity and safety for key beneficial arthropods and honeybees would provide a good fit within IPM programs. The favorable toxicity profile of

Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae provides large margins of safety for consumers and agricultural workers. After a review of the product profile, results from laboratory, field and semi-field tests are communicated.