Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt for short, is a type of bacteria that can help us stop bugs from damaging crops. Bugs, like caterpillars and mosquitoes, are often attracted to plants and can eat them up, causing big problems for farmers and gardeners. But Bt has a special weapon: it produces a toxin that is harmful to certain insect pests, but harmless to humans and many other animals.

So how does it work? Well, when a caterpillar chomps on a leaf that has been “treated” with Bt, the toxin is released into the caterpillar's gut. This toxin breaks down the caterpillar's digestive system, making it unable to eat and eventually leading to its demise. But the cool thing is that Bt only affects certain types of insects, and it leaves other insects, animals, and even people alone.

Bt has become a popular method of pest control because it is effective, safe, and sustainable. Farmers and gardeners can use it instead of harmful chemicals that can harm the environment and our health. It's kind of like giving the pests a taste of their own medicine!

Overall, Bt is a tiny but mighty bacteria that can help us protect our crops and gardens from pesky insects.