Field‐evolved resistance to Bt maize in sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) in Argentina

BACKGROUND

Maize technologies expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins are widely used in Argentina to control sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius). Unexpected D. saccharalis damage was observed to Bt maize events TC1507 (expressing Cry1F) and MON 89034 × MON 88017 (expressing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2) in an isolated area of San Luis Province. Diatraea saccharalis larvae were sampled from MON 89034 × MON 88017 fields in the area to generate a resistant strain (RR), which was subsequently characterized in plant and diet bioassays.

RESULTS

Survivorship of the RR strain was high on TC1507 leaf tissue, intermediate on MON 89034 × MON 88017, and low on MON 810 (expressing Cry1Ab). The RR strain had high resistance to Cry1A.105 (186.74‐fold) and no resistance to Cry2Ab2 in diet bioassays. These results indicate resistance to Cry1F and Cry1A.105 (and likely cross‐resistance between them) but not to Cry1Ab or Cry2Ab2. Resistance to MON 89034 × MON 88017 was functionally recessive. Reviews of grower records suggest that resistance initially evolved to Cry1F, conferring cross‐resistance to Cry1A.105, with low refuge compliance as the primary cause. A mitigation plan was implemented in San Luis that included technology rotation, field monitoring, and grower education on best management practices (BMPs) including refuges.

CONCLUSION

In the affected area, the resistance to Cry1F and Cry1A.105 is being managed effectively through use of MON 89034 × MON 88017 and MON 810 in combination with BMPs, and no spread of resistance to other regions has been observed. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Nerve insensitivity resistance to pyrethroids in Heliothine Lepidoptera

A neurophysiological assay developed previously was used to assess the incidence of nerve insensitivity resistance to synthetic pyrethroids in field strains of Helicoverpa armigera. Almost 70% of individuals from a sample of a highly pyrethroid-resistant population from Jiangsu Province, China were nerve-insensitive. Subsequent selection resulted in a strain homogeneous for expression of this mechanism. Likewise, over 95% of a sample from a strain of the insects from Andhra Pradesh, India were nerve-insensitive and a homogeneous strain was developed. Development of a nerve-insensitive laboratory strain of Heliothis virescens was undertaken but homozygosity could not be obtained. It is suggested that high fitness costs may be associated with this mechanism. The incidence of nerve insensitivity in Heliothine pests is reviewed and the role of phenotypic expression assays in molecular studies highlighted. ©1997 SCI