Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis δ-endotoxins against codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) larvae

Solubilized protoxins of nine Cry1 and one hybrid Cry1 δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis were tested for their activity against larvae of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L). Cry1Da was the most toxic, followed by Cry1Ab, Cry1Ba, and Cry1Ac, while Cry1Aa, Cry1Fa, Cry1Ia, and SN19 were still less active. Cry1Ca and Cry1Cb showed no activity. In vitro trypsin activation increased activity of all eight active δ-endotoxins, and dramatically enhanced toxicity of hybrid SN19, Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, and Cry1Fa. The differences between toxicity of proteins before and after trypsin digestion suggests that proteolytic activation in the C. pomonella digestive tract plays a critical role for the activity of Cry proteins against this insect.