Disclosed are novel polynucleotides encoding Lepidopteran- and Coleopteran-active -endotoxin polypeptides and compositions comprising the polypeptides. Also disclosed are vectors, transformed host cells, and transgenic plants that comprise the novel nucleic acid segments encoding the -endotoxin polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of identifying related polynucleotides encoding -endotoxin polypeptides, methods of making and using transgenic cells comprising the novel sequences of the invention, as well as methods for controlling an insect population, such as the Western Corn Rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, and for conferring to a plant population resistance to the target insect species.