A novel binary pesticidal protein from Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae controls western corn rootworm by a different mode of action to existing commercial pesticidal proteins.

The western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) remains one of the economically most important pests of maize (Zea mays) due to its adaptive capabilities to pest management options. This includes the ability to develop resistance to some of the commercial pesticidal proteins originating from different strains of Bacillus thuringiensis. Although urgently needed, the discovery of new, environmentally safe agents with new modes of action is a challenge. In this study we report the discovery of a new family of binary pesticidal proteins isolated from several Chryseobacterium species. These novel binary proteins, referred to as GDI0005A and GDI0006A, produced as recombinant proteins, prevent growth and increase mortality of WCR larvae, as does the bacteria. These effects were found both in susceptible and resistant WCR colonies to Cry3Bb1 and Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 (reassigned Gpp34Ab1/Tpp35Ab1). This suggests GDI0005A and GDI0006A may not share the same binding sites as those commercially deployed proteins and thereby possess a new mode of action. This paves the way towards the development of novel biological or biotechnological management solutions urgently needed against rootworms.