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

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

Among the options are parasitic worms called nematodes and Bacillus thuringiensis, a type of soil bacteria toxic to some larvae.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2021

It contains a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, that wards off insect larvae.

From Reuters • Dec. 8, 2017

Scientists gave the bacteria a name: Bacillus thuringiensis.

From Slate • Jul. 14, 2015

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

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson