Dispersal Behavior of Neonate European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Bt Corn (original) (raw)

Behavioral characteristics of neonate European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, on Bt corn

Charles Mason European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), is an economically important insect pest of corn in the US and Canada. The development of genetically modified corn expressing genes derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that encodes insecticidal crystalline (Cry) proteins has proven to be effective in controlling this insect. The purpose of this study was to assess dispersal and feeding behavior of neonate ECB on Bt corn. I examined differences in neonate ECB dispersal behavior for the first four hours following eclosion in the field among stacked pyramid (DAS 59122-7 × TC1507 × MON810) Bt corn, non-Bt near isoline, and non-Bt sweet corn; and in the laboratory among Bt corn hybrids TC1507, MON810, a pyramid combining TC1507 and MON810, and non-Bt near isoline corn. I also examined differences in feeding behavior between MON810 Bt corn and non-Bt near isoline corn for four intervals over a 48-hour period. In field experiments, I found that dispersal was signif...

The Science of Refuges: Bt Corn and the European Corn Borer

This paper will focus upon the science behind the requirements to plant refuges of non-Bt corn. Considering that many of scientific papers on this subject present rather complicated -and at times contradictory - mathematical models, no effort will be made to assess these data using quantitative means. The main pest considered here is the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis, ECB). Because Bt corn is so important in the fight against this pest, considerable attention has been devoted to developing strategies to prolong the use Bt corn before this pest becomes resistant. The newly developed “refuge in a bag” technology offers the best hope of controlling the ECB long term. Physically delimited refuges may be a transitional phase of Bt corn technology. This is important because the current regulatory regime for refuges is complicated and subject to abuse. Particularly in less developed countries with limited infrastructure, Bt crop technology must be straightforward to utilize in order to remain effective on a world wide basis.

Dispersal of Adult \u3ci\u3eDiatraea grandiosella\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Its Implications for Corn Borer Resistance Management in \u3ci\u3eBacillus thuringiensis\u3c/i\u3e Maize

2006

Dispersal of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, was examined by release and recapture of dye-marked adults and by capture of feral adults in and around 50-ha center pivot irrigated fields of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize. Pheromone and blacklight traps were used to capture the adults. In 1999, 2000, and 2001, a total of 177, 602, and 1,292 marked males, and 87, 231, and 1,045 marked females were released in four irrigated Bt maize fields, respectively. Recapture beyond release point was 2.13, 6.17, 3.16, and 17.91% for males and 0, 0, 2.23, and 4.18% for females in the four fields, respectively. One male was recaptured over native vegetation outside the field perimeter, and one was caught in a neighboring maize field, 457 m from the release point. An exponential decay function explained recapture of marked adults across the dispersal distance. More than 90% of adults were recaptured within 300 m of the release point. Large numbers of feral adults were captu...

Adult dispersal of \u3ci\u3eOstrinia nubilalis\u3c/i\u3e Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and its implications for resistance management in Bt-maize

2005

Dispersal of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner was examined by release and recapture of the dye marked adults and by capture of the feral adults in and around the large 50 ha center pivot irrigated fields of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize. Pheromone and black light traps were used to catch the adults. In 1999, 15 094 marked males and 7993 marked females were released, and in 2001, 13 942 marked males and 9977 marked females were released. In 1999, maximum mean recapture beyond the release point was 1.95 and 1.67% for males and females, but in 2001, the recapture rate was 9.97 and 4.37% for males and females. Few males (3.8%) and females (2.07%) were recaptured in neighbourhood maize fields. An exponential decay function explained recapture of marked adults across the dispersal distance. More than 90% of marked adults were recaptured within 300 m of the release point. Large numbers of feral adults were captured throughout the study fields. Feral adult dispersal could ...