Method for protecting cotton plants from boll weevil infestation

Abstract

A novel gene encoding a Coleopteran inhibitory Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein is disclosed. The protein, tIC851, is insecticidally active and provides plant protection from at least cotton boll weevil, Anthomomus grandis , when applied to plants in an insecticidally effective composition.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method for protecting a cotton plant from boll weevil infestation comprising providing to a boll weevil in its diet a cotton plant transformed to express a protein toxic to said weevil wherein said protein is selected from the group consisting of Cry22Aa, ET70, and tIC851. 
     
     
         18 . A method for protecting a cotton plant from boll weevil infestation comprising providing to a boll weevil in its diet a cotton plant or plant tissue transformed to express two or more proteins toxic to said weevil wherein said proteins are selected from the group consisting of cry22Aa, ET70, and tIC851. 
     
     
         19 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein said plant is grown in a field of cotton plants from a seed planted in said field. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein said plant is grown in a field of cotton plants from a seed planted in said field. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein said protein is tIC851. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claims 36  wherein one of said proteins is tIC851.