-Btk-
Bacterial Insecticide

Why we use Btk  -

Application timing  -

Application rate  -

What Btk affects  -

How Btk is made  -

How Btk works  -

Type of product  -

Actual name  -

· Breaks down in sunlight within seven days

· Highly effective: nearly 80% mortality of gypsy moth caterpillars in treated areas

· Highly effective with high caterpillar populations

· Readily available

· Not harmful to humans, pets, fish, birds

· Most effective when caterpillars are newly hatched

· Mid—to late –May or early June

1/2 Gallon per Acre

Different strains of Bt affect different insects.  The Btk strain affects gypsy moth caterpillars and tent caterpillars.   Btk is not harmful to humans, pets birds, fish or other wildlife.

Btk is cultured using water and nutrients such as sugars and starches, in a fermenting process similar to brewing beer.  The final product contains almost all water, the leftover growth medium, carbohydrates, inert ingredients that are approved as food additives, and the active ingredient.

Gypsy moth caterpillars must eat Btk for it to be effective because it interferes with digestion.  The active ingredient is a protein toxin formed by the bacteria.  The alkaline gut and enzymes that only caterpillars have activate the toxin, stopping the caterpillar from feeding and they die within hours.

Biological pesticide, a type of pesticide derived from natural materials such as plants or bacteria.  Bt is a naturally occurring soil bacteria.

Bacillus thuringiensis sub. Sp. Kurstaki (Btk)