Disclosed and claimed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis isolates which have lepidopteran activity. Thus, these isolates, or mutants thereof, can be used to control such insect pests. Further, genes encoding novel .delta.-endotoxins can be removed from the isolates and transferred to other host microbes, or plants. Expression of the .delta.-endotoxins in such hosts results in the control of susceptible insect pests in the environment of such hosts.