Btk

The Targets

• Bt and all its varieties are working evidence that these bacteria with insecticidal properties are very effective in controlling insects.

• Their continued use and development of new microbial insecticides will hopefully one day displace all synthetic insecticides.

• Biological control agents that are far less damaging to the environment, which in today’s world already has so much pressure put onto it.

How it works

• Caterpillars ingest foliage sprayed with Btk

How it works - the end

• Caterpillars have an alkaline pH in their stomachs, these conditons dissolve crystal structures inside the spores

• Enzymes in the stomach help breakdown the crystal structure and this activates the delta-endotoxin protein molecules inside

• Game over for the caterpillar

• The delta-endotoxin is the insecticidal component

• The delta-toxin binds to the cells in the gut and creates pores in the membrane

• It paid the ultimate price for ingesting foliage coated with Btk - Death!

• The gut is paralyzed and the caterpillar stops feeding

How is it made?

• Some serious forest pests that feed on foliage are the forest tent caterpillar, gypsy moth and hemlock looper

Safety

• Bacteria grown in sterilized tanks by feeding them an artificial diet mix

• Btk does not kill non-lepidopteran species

• Btk is sensitive to sunlight and rain can wash the formulation off the foliage...

• The best time to spray for the tent ceterpillar is the end of May into early June, optimal hatching and feeding occuring

• It targets only the specfic insect order you are trying to control

• ..so commercial manufacturers add intert ingredients that improve the original formulation

• No advesrse effects on mammals, birds, fish.....

• These include stabilizers, stickers to help the solution adhere to the leaf surfaces, UV protectors, and preservatives

• When properly applied Btk can kill 80-85% of gypsy moth caterpillars with each spray

How it works....continued

• Final product applied by spraying

• .....as none of these animals have the alkaline conditons in their gut that trigger the crystals to react and cause toxic effects found in caterpillars

http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/08/15/danger-will-robinson/

• While the spore germinates the gut membrane is broken, the spore can then reproduce and and the infection can spread

http://www.veseys.com/ca/en/store/tools/gardeningaids/btkbiological

http://www.thedeadfuture.com/?p=1075

http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc217.htm

http://sdda.sd.gov/Forestry/Programs-Services/broadleaf-insects.aspx

http://www.forestpests.org/subject.html?SUB=192

http://www.wickedmike.com

And one more thing...

Global warming will cause conditons in many areas of the world to become more favourable for insects. Outbreaks and plauges of biblical proportions are only a few years away, its time to get ready!

Concluding Points

What is Btk?

• Bacillus thuringiensis is a species of bacteria with insecticidal properties

• There are around 34 varieties

• Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk) is one of them

• Btk is particularly successful in killing caterpillars

• It is found naturally occuring in soil

Btk

Some common misconceptions

http://dianedimond.net/page/2/

• Btk, the biological control agent has no connection whatsoever with the "BTK Killer": Dennis Rader

• Btk was not created in the hadron collider

Entering the World of Btk and its use for Mass Extermination during Forest Insect Pest Outbreaks

• Btk cannot be used as a recreational drug: it contains no psychoactive or opiate compounds

Origins

• 1901 Japan, bacteria isolated from diseased silk worm

Btk at work

• Ten years later isolated from Mediterranean four moths - received its name Bacillus thuringiensis

• By 1958 it was being used commercially in the united states

• By1989 - Bt accounted for 90-95% of bio-pesticide market

Aerial spraying

Why Aerial Spray?

• Solution sprayed as fine droplets which take about 10 minutes to hit foliage
• Within days the effects can be seen when caterpillars start dying
• Two applications are normally recommended to ensure foliage is covered for insect colonies that have not hatched at the time of the first application

• When insects have population explosions and the decision to spray has been made, spraying from helicopter or plane is the most effective way of applying Btk
• As it is an organically derived and proven substance, it can be applied over populated areas and there is no need for buffers along water bodies
• Advantage in being able to be applied to more foliage, resulting in a higher kill rate

Goodluck.

Compiled by Alan G

• Only 2 to 3 liters needed to treat a hectare

Crystals

http://milksci.unizar.es/bioquimica/temas/enzimas/transgenicos.html

"Just like Vietnam"

• The insecticidal proteins produced by the Bt family of bacteria are called cry toxins
• These crystals play a major role in determining insecticidal potency and specificity of stains of Bt

Gypsy Moth Eradication with GPS Lines

http://zimmerair.com/gallery/?album=1&gallery=5

http://www.nosprayzone.org/pesticides/btk101.html