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Vegetable Project > Bt Product List

Ruth Hazzard, Vegetable and Small Fruit Program, UMass Extension

There are a lot of new pesticide products coming onto the market, many of which could be called "biological insecticides". Their active ingredients have their origin in a biological organism -- often a bacteria, fungus, or virus -- that is toxic to some particular group of pests. The bacterial pathogen, Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) is the oldest, most well known and most developed of these biological insecticides. The number of new Bt products can be bewildering because different components and products are effective against different pests, and are registered for different crops. To help sort this out, the chart below lists common vegetable crops and pests, and the Bt products labeled for them at the current time.

Bt strains (also known as subspecies or varieties) are active against particular groups of insects. These include B.t. kurstaki and Bt aizawi, which are both active against caterpillars (but differ in which caterpillars are most susceptible), Bt tenbrionis, which is active against leaf-feeding beetles (such as Colorado potato beetle), and Bt israeliensis which is active against flies. Different Bt's products are also characterized by different protein toxins, (crystal protein, or delta-endotoxin) which are know as Cry toxins A, B, or C, which have different toxicity against different specific pests. Cry toxins have further subgroups, such as Cry1Aa, Cry 1Ab, and Cry1Ac, which also differ in toxicity to different species. Manufacturers of Bt product have mixed or combined various Cry toxins to achieve the most effective combination for the pests they are targeting, or to overcome resistance. Bt kurstaki and Bt aizawi tend not to be cross-resistant, and can be used in rotation to reduce resistance development.

Certified organic growers should be aware that some of these Bt products are prohibited by some certifying agencies, either because they contain inert ingredients which are prohibited, or because the type of genetic engineering used in manufacturing is prohibited. Check with your state inputs list for details.

This list includes the most common pest/crop combinations that occur in New England. Many product labels include additional pests or crops not listed here.

* Indicates the product is labeled for the crop, but not for pests listed.

This information is for educational purposes and is based on the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products or trade names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for product use. Disregard any information in this fact sheet that is in conflict with the label.

Bacillus thuringiensis-based bioinsecticides vegetable crops

Compiled by Ruth Hazzard, University of Massachusetts Extension, June 29, 2001

Source B.t.
Strain
B.t. kurstaki Bt aizawi Bta + Btk Bt tenebrionis Btt + Btk
Trade Name Crymax Condor MVP II Lepinox Dipel Biobit Javelin   Agree Xentari Mattch   Novodor Raven
Manufacturer Ecogen Ecogen Ecogen Ecogen Valent Valent ThermoTrilogy   ThermoTrilogy Valent Ecogen   Valent Ecogen
Formulation(s)   WP, XL   WDG DF, ES HP,XL WG   WG          
Crop & Pest                             
Broccoli, Cabbage and Cauliflower, other brassicas  0 0 0   Dipel, DF                  
Cabbage looper X X X   X X X   X X X      
Diamondback moth X X X   X X X   X X X      
Imported cabbageworm X X X   X X X   X X X      
Sweet Corn         Dipel ES                  
Armyworms (general)   X   X X (DF) X         X      
Fall armyworm                    
X
     
Corn earworm       X X   X       X      
European corn borer   X   X X (DF) X X   X   X      
Lettuce, endive, escarole         Dipel 2X, DF                    
Cabbage looper X  X    X  X    X    X  X  X        
Pepper         *(DF)                  
European Corn Borer   X   X    X X              
Spinach                     *      
Cabbage looper  X  X    X  X  X      X  X   X      
Tomato                            
Colorado Potato Beetle                          X  X
Cabbage looper   X   X X X  X   X X      
Tomato fruitworm  X    X  X  X  X    X  X  X      
Tomato hornworm   X  X    X  X  X  X    X  X        
Eggplant         * (DF)                  
Colorado Potato Beetle                           X  X
Potato         * (DF)            *      
Colorado Potato Beetle                          X  X
European Corn Borer   X   X     X              

 * Indicates product is labeled for crop, but not for pests that are listed. Product labels may include additional pests or crops not listed here. Greenhouse list may be incomplete and can include varying crops. The information here is believed to be correct, but always read and follow the label. Updated June 29, 2001.

Ecogen: 215-757-1590. Abbot Labs: 800-541-6165. Thermo Trilogy: 800-847-5620


Selected IPM Articles:
2001 Annual Report
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Insect Management in Peppers
Except from the New England Vegetable Management Guide
CRUCIFERS
Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Minor Cole Crops
Rutabaga and Turnip
CUCURBITS
Managing Insects and Diseases in Pumpkins and Winter Squash
IPM Guidelines for Pumpkins
POTATO
IPM Guidelines
Excerpt from the New England Vegetable Management Guide
SWEET CORN

IPM Guidelines
Excerpt from the New England Vegetable Management Guide
Bio Intensive Insect Management in Sweet Corn
Caterpillar Control in Organic Sweet Corn
Integrated Caterpillar Control in Organic Sweet Corn: Results of On-farm Trials, 2000
Integrated Caterpillar Control in Organic Sweet Corn: Results of On-farm Trials ,1999
Using Bacillus thruingiensis (Bt) Products for European Corn Borer Control in Sweet Corn
Bt Product List
Assessment of Sweet Corn IPM Adoption in New England & Mid-Atlantic States
TOMATO
IPM Guidelines - Field TomatoesIPM Guidelines - Greenhouse Tomatoes
Excerpt from the New England Vegetable Management Guide - Field Tomatoes
Excerpt from the New England Vegetable Management Guide - Greenhouse Tomatoes

 
 


 
 
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