Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bacillus thuringiensis var. popilliae, is a rod-shaped bacterium. During its reproduction, one end forms a spore, thus becoming a spore-forming bacterium, while the other end produces crystal proteins. These crystal proteins have a strong insecticidal effect, especially for more than 100 species of lepidopteran pests such as cotton bollworm, small cabbage moth, diamondback moth, rice budworm, silkworm, pine caterpillar, tobacco budworm, corn borer, cotton bollworm, rice streaked stem borer, grass moth, and ground beetle. It is a microbial insecticide that has been the subject of the most in-depth research, the most rapid development, and the most extensive application in recent years. Due to its low toxicity, environmental friendliness, and excellent insecticidal effect, it is highly favored by farmers.
I. Main Characteristics of Bacillus thuringiensis
1. Wide range of pest control: The toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis can control hundreds of pests, especially highly effective against lepidopteran larvae. It is mainly used for controlling cabbage caterpillars, cotton bollworms, turnip night moths, striped night moths, sugar beet night moths, small cabbage moths, tobacco moth, second-generation rice stem borers, corn borers, tea caterpillars, pine caterpillars, tea moth, bean moth, corn sticky pests, silver-winged night moths, and mosquito larvae, as well as certain pests such as beetles, snails, and slugs.
2. Selectivity: Bacillus thuringiensis mainly targets pests with an alkaline environment in their intestines and has a strong killing effect. It is non-toxic to humans, livestock, bees, fish, shrimp, crabs and other aquatic organisms.
3. Wide application range: Bacillus thuringiensis can be widely used in cotton, peanuts, soybeans, potatoes, rice, rape, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cabbages, Chinese cabbages, cauliflower, etc. vegetables, as well as apple, pear trees, grapes, walnuts, citrus fruits, lychees, kiwis, longans, mangoes, etc. fruit trees, and also in various crops such as flowers, Chinese medicinal herbs, etc.
4. No resistance: Bacillus thuringiensis is a type of spore-forming bacteria that can produce sporulation crystal proteins and act both externally and internally on pests. Pests cannot develop resistance. Although it has been used for several decades, it remains an excellent microbial insecticide to this day.
5. Good compatibility: Bacillus thuringiensis has good compatibility and can be mixed with quick-acting insecticides such as methomyl, avermectin, and indoxacarb, resulting in significant synergistic effects.
6. No pollution from five poisons: Bacillus thuringiensis is a rod-shaped bacterium that has no toxicity to humans, fish, shrimp, crabs, etc., and does not cause any pollution to the environment. Therefore, it has become the preferred insecticide for the production of green and pollution-free agricultural products.
II. Application Methods of Bacillus thuringiensis
For the control of pests such as sugar beet moth, small cabbage moth, and cabbage caterpillar, it can be used during the larval stage when the pests are young. Use 30-40 grams of 2% Avisept Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder per acre, mixed with 30-40 kilograms of water for uniform spraying. This can quickly kill the pests and has a long-lasting effect with good speediness.
For the control of pests such as light moth, rice budworm, pine caterpillar, corn borer, large moth，and needle moth，use 25-35 grams of 1% Avisept Bacillus thuringiensis wettable powder per acre，mixed with 30 kilograms of water for uniform spraying. This can quickly control the further damage caused by the pests.
III. Precautions for Bacillus thuringiensis
1. Use in advance：As a bacterium， when used alone，the killing speed is relatively slow. Therefore,it should be used at the initial stage of pest occurrence to better control the damage caused by the pests.
2. Use in the afternoon：Strong sunlight is likely to kill this bacterium. Therefore,when using this insecticide，it is best to choose to use it before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.，with better results.
3. Use in high temperatures：Bacillus thuringiensis is active at high temperatures. When the temperature exceeds 20℃，the effect is better.
Post time: Mar-25-2026