Chromobacterium subtsugae sp. nov., a new species of the genus Chromobacterium which possesses insecticidal activity, is described. The invention also relates to insecticidally-active metabolites obtained from the strain and to insecticidal compositions comprising cultures of the strain and/or supernatants, filtrates, and extracts obtained from the strain, and use thereof to control insect pests.
1. An insecticidal composition comprising an effective amount of an insecticidal toxin produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of Chromobacerium subtsugae sp. nov. NRRL B-30655 in a nutrient culture medium under conditions effective to produce an insecticidally-active toxin.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the biologically pure culture of strain NRRL 30655 has the 16S rDNA gene sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.