rec.gardens.ecosystems homepage -> archive: MOD$020120.11130@rec.gardens.ecosystems



Subject: Re: Organic sweet corn
From: orangerose@aol.comnotthis (Kelly Houston)
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
Date: Sun, 20 Jan 02 18:54:20
Message-ID: <MOD$020120.11130@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$020119.6436@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



>Shows what I know. the only time I ever heard of bt was regarding the GMO
>issues.
Just for clarification and information:

Bt stands for Baccillus thurensis which is a bacteria which infects certain
target pests. There is one subspecies that targets mosquitos, one that targets
gnats and flies, and another that targets the insect family Lepidopterae
(butterflies and moths). GMO corn has a portion of the Bt genetic code which
allows it to make the poison that the bacteria make that kills the bugs. Bugs
that chew on the plant get poisoned. Bt as a spray actually infects the larvae
that eat it: it has a relatively short life span so it is only effective for a
specific amount of time. As an infective agent, it is somewhat specific in
that it will infect only one genera of insects at a time. So Bt for
Lepidopterae does not kill aphids, for example...or predatory wasps, or bees,
or spiders, or other predatory critters. Bt for mosquitos does not kill
dragonfly larvae, skimmers, or other aquatic life.
Bt is a good biological control of many pests when used correctly and in
conjuction with an IPM program.

Kelly