Caenorhabditis elegans: A Model System for Accelerating Studies on Bacillus thuringiensis Infection in Insects
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is an important bacterium used worldwide to manage pest insects. A full understanding of how Bt establishes infection and how hosts elicit defense is crucial to develop Bt-derived pesticidal formulations. In this review, we propose that Caenorhabditis elegans is a promising model host for investigating the pathogenic process of Bt. Studies on Bt– C. elegans interactions substantially guide and exhibit the potential to accelerate the research on Bt infection biology in insect hosts, helping to improve Bt-based pest management. In this article, we synthesize these advances, highlight the application and promise of the C. elegans model in defining Bt–insect interplays, and discuss limitations of this model.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Insect Resistance and Genetics
Genetics
Aging
and Longevity in Model Organisms
Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Annual Review of Entomology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Volume
- 71
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 597–614
- Publication date
- 28 January 2026
- Language
- EN