Expressing a moth abcc2 gene in transgenic Drosophila causes susceptibility to Bt Cry1Ac without requiring a cadherin-like protein receptor

•We assessed whether the P. xylostella ABCC2 protein is a functional Bt receptor.•Px-ABCC2 was transformed into Drosophila and expressed in the midgut.•Expressing Px-ABCC2 rendered Drosophila susceptible to Cry1Ac toxin and protoxin.•M. sexta cadherin peptides synergised Cry1Ac more effectively than P. xylostella peptides.