Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In
particular, novel engineered hybrid insecticidal proteins (eHIPs) having
toxicity to at least corn rootworm are provided. By fusing unique
combinations of complete or partial variable regions and conserved blocks
of at least two different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry proteins or a
modified Cry proteins an eHIP having activity against corn rootworm is
designed. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel eHIPs are also
provided. Methods of making the eHIPs and methods of using the eHIPs and
nucleic acids encoding the eHIPs of the invention, for example in
transgenic plants to confer protection from insect damage are also
disclosed.