INSECTICIDAL PEPTIDES AND METHODS FOR USE OF SAME

摘要

This invention relates to the purification of a group of insecticidally effective toxin peptides isolated from the venoms of the Paracoelotes and Xysticus species of spiders. The toxin peptides are characterized by their neurotoxic effect on insect pest and potential for little, if any, toxicity in mammals. Coding polynucleotide sequences for the toxin peptides are described, as are methods and vectors for production and targeted delivery of recombinant toxin peptides. Methods for the use of the toxin peptides as insecticides are also provided.