Downloads: 2
Review Papers | Zoology | Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026 | Pages: 593 - 596 | India
Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Toxin on Insects and Non-Target Animal Species: A Comprehensive Review
Abstract: The increasing demand for sustainable pest management has led to widespread use of biological control agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt is a Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium that produces insecticidal crystal proteins (Cry toxins) and cytolytic proteins (Cyt toxins), which exhibit high specificity toward several insect pests belonging mainly to Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera. Bt-based bioinsecticides and genetically engineered Bt crops have become essential tools in integrated pest management programs worldwide. Despite their environmental advantages compared with synthetic pesticides, concerns persist regarding their ecological effects, especially on non-target organisms including beneficial insects, aquatic organisms, soil fauna, and vertebrates. This review provides a detailed synthesis of current knowledge on Bt toxins, including their origin, molecular structure, mode of action in target insects, and ecological effects on non-target species. Evidence from laboratory and field studies indicates that Bt toxins generally display high target specificity and minimal toxicity toward vertebrates and most non-target organisms. However, indirect ecological effects such as alterations in food webs, trophic interactions, and resistance development in pests remain important considerations. Continuous monitoring, ecological risk assessment, and responsible deployment of Bt technologies are essential to ensure their long-term sustainability and environmental safety.
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, Cry toxin, Bt crops, non-target organisms, ecological risk assessment, biological pest control
How to Cite?: Dr. J. Swamy, Dr. K. Vijaya Prasada Rao, "Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Toxin on Insects and Non-Target Animal Species: A Comprehensive Review", Volume 15 Issue 4, April 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 593-596, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26404122814, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26404122814