Soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) creates proteins that are lethal to some insects, including dipterans (flies, mosquitoes), lepidopterans (tobacco budworm, armyworm), and coleopterans (beetles). There are certain intracellular protein crystals produced by Bacillus thuringiensis. A poisonous insecticidal protein can be found in these crystals. The alkaline pH of the alimentary canal, which solubilizes the crystals, causes the Bt toxin protein to change from its inactive state into an active state. The midgut epithelial cells' surface is where the activated toxin binds, creating pores that ultimately result in the insect's demise by causing cell swelling and lysis.

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