This study describes three closely related proteins cloned from Brevibacillus laterosporus strains that are lethal upon feeding to Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, the western corn rootworm (WCR). Mpp75Aa1, Mpp75Aa2, and Mpp75Aa3 were toxic to WCR larvae when the larvae were fedpurified protein. Transgenic plants expressing each mMpp75Aa protein were protected from feeding damage and showed a significant reduction in adult emergence from infested plants by both susceptible Cry3Bb1 and Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1-resistant WCR. These results demonstrate that proteins from B. laterosporus are as efficacious as the well-known Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins in controlling major insect pests such as WCR. The deployment of transgenic maize expressing mMpp75Aa, along with other active molecules lacking cross-resistance, has the potential to be a useful tool for control of WCR populations resistant to current B. thuringiensis traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]