We describe defective Mu phage Mu dX (Mu d1 Bx::Tn9 [lac Apr Cmr]) which is useful for insertion mutagenesis and for construction of lac operon fusions in vivo. Mu dX retains the insertion properties of Mu d1 but produces temperature-resistant lysogens and transposes at a reduced frequency. A method is described to convert existing Mu d1 insertions to Mu dX.