Bacillus thuringiensis

American  

[thoo-rin-jee-en-sis] / θʊˌrɪn dʒiˈɛn sɪs /

noun

1. a bacterium used in genetically altered form in the biological control of budworms, gypsy moth larvae, Japanese beetles, and other insect pests. B.t.

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Etymology

Origin of Bacillus thuringiensis

< New Latin (1915): Thuringian bacillus; so named in reference to its discovery in larvae of Mediterranean flour moths from a mill in Thuringia

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Bacillus thuringiensis

The introduction of Bt corn, which contains a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally insect-resistant bacterium that organic farmers routinely spray on crops, dropped the crop’s insecticide use by 35 percent.

From New York Times ● Jul. 20, 2021

Organic pest maintenance in the garden requires frequent reapplication of products like neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2021

Tcs with specificity for insects are receiving great interest as potential biopesticides for expression in transgenic plants as alternatives to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins.

From Nature ● Apr. 4, 2014

Compounds containing spores of Bacillus thuringiensis are now being manufactured by several firms in the United States under various trade names.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

In 1960 both countries began field tests with a commercial preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson