苏云金芽孢杆菌 (Bacillusthuringiensis,简称Bt)自 1 90 1年发现以来 ,一直在微生物学、昆虫学和生物化学等方面受到研究者的关注。由于Bt能形成对许多昆虫具特异性毒力的杀虫蛋白 ,因此从 1 959年开始Bt已被制成杀虫剂防治鳞翅目害虫。近 1 0年来 ,随着分子生物学和遗传工程技术的成熟和发展 ,使人们增加了有关晶体形成的分子生物学知识。Bt的杀虫活性主要是其能产生含有杀虫晶体蛋白 (ICPs)的伴孢晶体。一些杀虫蛋白基因 (又称cry基因 )已经成功用于转基因抗虫植物中。本文将从Bt微生物学、Bt制剂在害虫防治中以及Btcry基因在转基因抗虫植物中的应用等方面作一综述。 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillus thuringiensis, Bt for short) has been attracting the attention of researchers in the field of microbiology, entomology and biochemistry since it was discovered in 1990. Since Bt can form insecticidal proteins that are specific for many insects, Bt has been made insecticide to control Lepidopteran pests since 1959. In the recent 10 years, with the maturation and development of molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques, people have gained more knowledge about the molecular biology of crystal formation. Insecticidal activity of Bt is mainly due to its ability to produce sporulation crystals containing insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs). Some insecticidal protein genes (also called cry genes) have been successfully used in transgenic insect-resistant plants. This article reviews Bt microbiology, Bt preparations in pest control and the application of Btcry gene in transgenic insect-resistant plants.