All rights reserved Knežević, Magdalena Dervišević Milenković, Marina Jevđenović, Galina Jovković, Marina Pavlović, Jelena Maksimović, Jelena Buntić, Aneta Book of abstracts: 4th International and 16th National Congress of the Serbian Society of Soil Science: “The Soil Re-Union: Science for Healthy Soils” 20-23 October 2025, Fruške terme, Vrdnik, Serbia startpage: 79 endpage: 80 eng Abstract: Wireworms, the larval stage of click beetles (Agriotes linetus), represent a persistent threat to cereal crops, particularly wheat. Their subterranean lifestyle, prolonged life cycle, and wide host range make them especially difficult to manage through conventional control strategies. Chemical treatments often show limited efficacy due to uneven soil distribution, restricted translocation, and growing concerns over environmental and nontarget effects. As such, sustainable and biologically-based alternatives are urgently needed. One promising avenue in integrated pest management is the use of entomopathogenic bacteria, particularly Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium is known for producing insecticidal crystal proteins (Cry toxins) during sporulation, which have been widely applied in the control of lepidopteran, coleopteran, and dipteran pests. The cry11 gene encodes a δ-endotoxin typically active against dipteran larvae, yet recent studies suggest it may have broader insecticidal potential depending on the strain and target species. In this study, we investigated the presence of the cry11 gene in three native B. thuringiensis soil isolates (BHC 2.4, BHC 4.5 and BHC 4.7) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the aim of identifying strains with potential bioinsecticidal activity against wireworms. The cry11 gene was successfully detected in strain BHC 2.4, highlighting its potential as a candidate for further biological testing and application in wireworm management. Our findings contribute to the growing body of research focused on the development of locally adapted, environmentally friendly biopesticides. Further bioassays and field trials will be necessary to confirm the efficacy of cry11-positive strains against wireworm populations in wheat agroecosystems. Native Bacillus thuringiensis: a promising biocontrol agent against wireworms info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings Bacillus thuringiensis, cry11, wireworms, wheat, biocontrol https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:8389 cobiss:177872649 ISBN: 978-86-80417-99-8 2025 application/pdf 1945885 bytes