Field-evolved resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), from India

BACKGROUND: The pink bollworm is one of the most destructive pests of cotton. Transgenic cotton producing Bt toxin Cry1Ac or a combination of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 has been used effectively against this pest. However, some other insects have evolved resistance to Bt toxins in the field. During the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 seasons, pink bollworm populations in India were surveyed to evaluate their responses to Cry1Ac and seed powder containing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2. RESULTS: The results provide evidence that resistance to Cry1Ac had evolved by 2008 in a population sampled from non‐Bt cotton in the Amreli district of Gujarat in western India. The median lethal concentration of Cry1Ac for five‐day‐old larvae (LC₅₀) was significantly higher for insects derived in 2008 from Amreli than for any of the other field populations tested from four locations in India. For Cry1Ac, the mean LC₅₀ for the strain derived from Amreli in 2008 was 44 times higher than for the most susceptible population. However, for seed powder of Bollgard II containing primarily Cry2Ab2, the 2008 Amreli population was only slightly less susceptible than the most susceptible population. CONCLUSIONS: The data reported here constitute the first evidence of field‐evolved resistance of pink bollworm to Cry1Ac. This initial evidence spurred more extensive evaluations during the 2009–2010 growing season, which confirmed field‐evolved resistance to Cry1Ac in Amreli. The lack of cross‐resistance to Cry2Ab2 suggests that plants producing this toxin are likely to be more effective against resistant populations than plants producing only Cry1Ac. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Microarray analysis of global gene regulation in the Cry1Ab-resistant and Cry1Ab-susceptible strains of Diatraea saccharalis

BACKGROUND: Extensive adoption of transgenic Bt corn in recent years for stalk borer control has increased risk of resistance evolution in the target pest populations. A Bt‐resistant strain of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis, was approximately 100‐fold more tolerant to Cry1Ab toxin than the susceptible counterpart. To gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Bt resistance, the Cry1Ab‐susceptible (Cry1Ab‐SS) and Cry1Ab‐resistant (Cry1Ab‐RR) strains of D. saccharalis were subjected to a microarray analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that the expression levels of many genes were significantly different between the Cry1Ab‐RR and Cry1Ab‐SS strains. Microarray analysis of 7145 cDNAs revealed 384 differentially expressed genes. A total of 273 genes were significantly upregulated 2–51.6‐fold, and 111 genes were significantly downregulated 2–22.6‐fold in the Cry1Ab‐RR strain. The upregulation of three potential resistance‐related genes, coding for a glutathione S‐transferase (GST), a chymotrypsin‐like protease (CHY) and a lipase (LP), was confirmed using real‐time PCR, indicating a reproducibility of the microarray data. Ontology analysis revealed that more than twice the number of metabolic‐related genes were upregulated compared with downregulated genes with the same biological function. Up to 35.2% of the upregulated genes in the resistant strain were associated with catalytic activity, while only 9.5% of the downregulated genes were related to the same catalytic molecular function. CONCLUSION: The large portion of metabolic‐ or catalytic‐related genes with significant upregulations indicated a potential large increase in metabolic or catalytic activities in the Cry1Ab‐RR strain. This cDNA microarray gene expression data could be used to characterize and identify new genes that may be associated with Bt resistance in D. saccharalis. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Increased toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa against Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata,Phaedon brassicae and Colaphellus bowringi by a Tenebrio molitor cadherin fragment

BACKGROUND: Biopesticides containing Cry insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective against many lepidopteran pests, but there is a lack of Bt‐based pesticides for efficient control of important coleopteran pests. Based on the reported increase in Bt toxin oligomerization by a polypeptide from the Cry3Aa receptor cadherin in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), it was hypothesized that this cadherin peptide, rTmCad1p, would enhance Cry3Aa toxicity towards coleopteran larvae. To test this hypothesis, the relative toxicity of Cry3Aa, with or without rTmCad1p, against damaging chrysomelid vegetable pests of China was evaluated. RESULTS: Cry3Aa toxicity was evaluated in the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata), cabbage leaf beetle (Colaphellus bowringi) and daikon leaf beetle (Phaedon brassicae). To assess the effect of rTmCad1p on Cry3Aa toxicity, neonate larvae were fed Cry3Aa toxin alone or in combination with increasing amounts of rTmCad1p. The data demonstrated that Cry3Aa toxicity was significantly increased in all three vegetable pests, resulting in as much as a 15.3‐fold increase in larval mortality. CONCLUSION: The application of rTmCad1p to enhance Cry3Aa insecticidal activity has potential for use in increasing range and activity levels against coleopteran pests displaying low susceptibility to Bt‐based biopesticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Impact of Cry3Bb1-expressing Bt maize on adults of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

BACKGROUND: Genetically engineered maize producing insecticidal Cry3Bb1 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is protected from root damage by corn rootworm larvae. An examination was made to establish whether western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) adults are affected by Cry3Bb1‐expressing maize (MON88017) when feeding on above‐ground tissue. RESULTS: In laboratory bioassays, adult D. v. virgifera were fed for 7 weeks with silk, leaves or pollen from Bt maize or the corresponding near‐isoline. Male, but not female, survival was reduced in the Bt‐leaf treatment compared with the control. Female weight was lower when fed Bt maize, and egg production was reduced in the Bt‐silk treatment. ELISA measurements demonstrated that beetles feeding on silk were exposed to higher Cry3Bb1 concentrations than beetles collected from Bt‐maize fields in the United States. In contrast to silk and pollen, feeding on leaves resulted in high mortality and low fecundity. Females feeding on pollen produced more eggs than on silk. C:N ratios indicated that silk does not provide enough nitrogen for optimal egg production. CONCLUSIONS: Direct effects of Cry3Bb1 on adult beetles could explain the observed effects, but varietal differences between Bt and control maize are also possible. The impact of Bt maize on adult populations, however, is likely to be limited. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

转cry1Ab/cry2Aj、cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米对棉铃虫、甜菜夜蛾和斜纹夜蛾的抗虫性评价

为评估转cry1Ab/cry2Aj、cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)、甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)和斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura(Fabricius)的抗虫性,在室内测定了3个转cry1Ab/cry2Aj玉米品系和1个转cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米品系对3种害虫幼虫存活和生长发育的影响,研究了该系列Bt玉米不同组织器官对害虫的杀虫活性和控制效果。结果显示,棉铃虫初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片96h后死亡率为87.50%~90.00%,取食花丝和雌穗的幼虫96h后几乎全部死亡;甜菜夜蛾初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片、花丝和雌穗168h后死亡率为22.50%~68.33%,幼虫的生长发育受到明显抑制,体重抑制率达85.00%~95.00%;斜纹夜蛾初孵幼虫取食各品系Bt玉米叶片、花丝和雌穗96 h后死亡率显著高于非转基因亲本对照,168h后幼虫死亡率达90.00%以上。研究表明,转cry1Ab/cry2Aj和cry1Ab/vip3DA玉米品系对棉铃虫和斜纹夜蛾的初孵幼虫表现出较好的抗性,可以作为转多基因抗虫玉米育种的备选材料。     

转Cry1Ab-ma基因玉米CM8101对草地贪夜蛾1龄和2龄幼虫的抗性

为明确转Bt基因玉米对草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda的抗性,采用室内玉米离体组织生测法测定取食转Cry1Ab-ma基因抗虫玉米CM8101心叶、花丝和籽粒后草地贪夜蛾1龄和2龄幼虫存活数量、存活幼虫的体重、蛹重、化蛹和羽化等参数,分析转Cry1Ab-ma基因抗虫玉米CM8101三种组织对草地贪夜蛾1龄和2龄幼虫的抗性。结果显示,转Cry1Ab-ma基因玉米CM8101心叶可完全杀死草地贪夜蛾1龄幼虫,2龄幼虫有存活,存活率为10.0%,但不能化蛹与羽化;花丝可杀死大部分草地贪夜蛾1龄幼虫,存活率为3.3%,并阻断其生活史,但对2龄幼虫杀伤力弱,存活率为73.3%,存活幼虫化蛹率和羽化率分别为20.0%和13.3%;籽粒可完全杀死草地贪夜蛾1龄幼虫,2龄幼虫有存活,存活率为13.3%,有少量可化蛹,化蛹率为3.3%、有少量羽化,羽化率为3.3%。表明转Cry1Ab-ma基因玉米CM8101在短期内对草地贪夜蛾1龄和2龄幼虫有良好的控制作用。     

国产Bt-Cry1Ab和Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa)玉米对草地贪夜蛾的抗性测定

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E.Smith)是世界性重大农业害虫。种植转基因Bt作物是主要的防治手段之一。我们利用室内生物测定方法评价了国产Bt-Cry1Ab玉米(转化体C0030.3.5)和Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa)玉米(转化体DBN3601和DBN3608)对草地贪夜蛾1~4龄幼虫的毒力。结果显示,供试两种转基因玉米共6个品种皆可高效表达目标杀虫蛋白并对草地贪夜蛾具有很强的毒杀作用,对1龄幼虫的致死率达到59%~100%,存活幼虫的生长发育亦受到显著抑制。表明国内研发的Bt-Cry1Ab玉米和Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa)玉米对草地贪夜蛾具有良好的控制效果,其中Bt-(Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa)玉米的防治效果显著优于Bt-Cry1Ab玉米,两种转基因玉米皆具有较好的商业化应用前景。     

转基因玉米表达的Cry1Ab、PAT和EPSPS蛋白对日本通草蛉幼虫的安全风险评估

为评价我国自主研发的转基因玉米表达的Cry1Ab、PAT和EPSPS蛋白对日本通草蛉Chrysoperla nipponensis幼虫生长发育的安全风险,通过将外源蛋白混入日本通草蛉人工饲料中的方法,以加入砷酸二氢钾(KH_2AsO_4)的饲料为阳性对照,研究了日本通草蛉幼虫取食后的生长发育状况。结果表明:日本通草蛉取食含Cry1Ab和EPSPS蛋白饲料的幼虫发育历期、茧期、结茧率、羽化率及成虫体重等生物学参数与取食正常饲料处理相比均没有显著差异;而取食含PAT蛋白饲料的幼虫发育历期和结茧率分别为10.7 d和96.6%,与取食正常饲料的对照11.1 d和89.9%差异显著,即饲料中添加PAT蛋白显著提高了幼虫的存活率和发育速率;取食含KH_2AsO_4饲料的日本通草蛉幼虫不能存活到茧期,说明KH_2AsO_4具有显著的杀虫活性。ELISA检测结果表明,取食了分别添加有3种外源蛋白饲料的日本通草蛉幼虫体内可以检测到相应的Cry1Ab、EPSPS和PAT蛋白,含量分别为2 758.8~5 210.7、35 018.0~54 426.6、16.8~149.8 ng/g。表明转基因玉米所表达的Cry1Ab、EPSPS和PAT蛋白对日本通草蛉幼虫没有显著的不利影响。     

Impact of seed blend and structured maize refuge on Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) potential phenological resistance development parameters in pupae and adults

BACKGROUND

Helicoverpa zea, an economic pest in the south-eastern United States, has evolved practical resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry toxins in maize and cotton. Insect resistance management (IRM) programs have historically required planting of structured non-Bt maize, but because of its low adoption, the use of seed blends has been considered. To generate knowledge on target pest biology and ecology to help improve IRM strategies, nine field trials were conducted in 2019 and 2020 in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to evaluate the impact of Bt (Cry1Ab + Cry1F or Cry1Ab + Cry1F + Vip3A) and non-Bt maize plants in blended and structured refuge treatments on H. zea pupal survival, weight, soil pupation depth, adult flight parameters, and adult time to eclosion.

RESULTS

From a very large sample size and geography, we found a significant difference in pupal mortality and weight among treatments in seed blends with Vip3A, implying that cross-pollination occurred between Bt and non-Bt maize ears. There was no treatment effect for pupation depth, adult flight distance, and eclosion time.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study demonstrate the potential impact of different refuge strategies on phenological development and survival of an important pest species of regulatory concern. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Marker‐free,tissue‐specific expression of Cry1Ab as a safe transgenic strategy for insect resistance in rice plants

BACKGROUND: Rice is the major food resource for nearly half of the global population; however, insect infestation could severely affect the production of this staple food. To improve rice insect resistance and reduce the levels of Bt toxin released into the environment, the Cry1Ab gene was conjugated to the rice rbcS promoter to express Bt toxin in specific tissues of transgenic plants. RESULTS: Eight marker‐free, T₂ lines were separated from the T₀ cotransformants. Using RT‐PCR, high levels of Cry1Ab expression were detected in the leaf but not in the seed. The Cry1Ab protein level ranged from 1.66 to 3.31 µg g^?1 in the leaves of four transgenic lines, but was barely detectable in their seeds by ELISA. Bioassays showed that the mortality rate of silkworm larvae feeding on mulberry leaves dipped in transgenic rice flour and pollen was less than that of the positive control (KMD), and that their average weight was higher than that of KMD, suggesting that the Cry1Ab protein was not expressed in the seed and pollen. CONCLUSION: The transgene conferred a high level of resistance to insects and biosafety to the rice plants, which could be directly used in rice breeding. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inheritance of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from India

BACKGROUND: The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is one of the most serious insect pests of cotton. It has developed resistance to almost all groups of chemical insecticides because of their intensive use. The failure of insecticides to control H. armigera has been a strong incentive for the adoption of transgenic cotton (Bt cotton). However, the value of Bt could be diminished by widespread resistance development to Bt toxins in insect populations. Therefore, understanding the genetic basis of resistance is essential for developing and implementing strategies to delay and monitor resistance. RESULTS: A resistant strain designated as BM‐R was obtained from the cross of adults from Bathinda () and Muktsar (), Punjab, India, which showed the highest survival (60.68%) and LC₅₀ value (1.396 µg mL^?1 diet). Similarly, a laboratory‐maintained strain from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, showed maximum susceptibility to Cry1Ac toxin with the lowest LC₅₀ value (0.087 µg mL^?1), and was designated as HP‐S. The genetic purity of both strains was confirmed by RAPD profile analysis at each generation, and genetic similarity reached more than 90% after the third generation. Continuous maintenance of the resistant BM‐R strain on Cry1Ac resulted in an increase in LC₅₀ from 0.531 µg mL^?1 in F₀ to 4.28 µg mL^?1 in F₁₄ and 7.493 µg mL^?1 in F₁₉, while the LC₅₀ values for HP‐S larvae on diet without Cry1Ac increased to 0.106 and 0.104 µg mL^?1, which lay within the fiducial limits of the baseline LC₅₀ value. The mode of inheritance of resistance was elucidated through bioassay response of resistant, susceptible heterozygotes and backcross progeny to Cry1Ac incorporated in semi‐synthetic diet. CONCLUSION: Based on dominance, degree of dominance and backcross values, resistance was inferred to be polygenic, autosomal and inherited as a recessive trait. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

The western corn rootworm,a new threat to European agriculture: opportunities for biotechnology?

BACKGROUND: During the early 1990s, the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (WCR), a maize pest, invaded the European continent. The continuous spread of the pest has introduced a new constraint into European maize production. As the damage caused by the invasive species is highly variable and different crop protection (CP) strategies are available, farmers' optimal strategies are not obvious. This study uses a simulation model to assess the competitiveness of different CP strategies in seven Central European countries. RESULTS: Results indicate a high degree of heterogeneity in the profitability of different CP strategies, depending on the production parameters in each country. In general, crop rotation and Bt maize offer the best solutions to farmers, but, in continuous (non‐rotated) maize cultivation, chemical CP options may capture part of the market. For Austrian continuous maize production it is found that not deregulating Bt maize implies that farmers forego revenues of up to €59 ha^?1. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of WCR, producing maize by an economically sound method requires incorporating country‐ and farm‐specific characteristics into the decision framework. Also, not deregulating Bt maize has direct monetary consequences for many farmers that could influence total maize output and resistance management. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

草地贪夜蛾对国产Bt玉米的抗性风险评估

为评估草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda对国产Bt玉米的抗性风险,基于抗性风险分析模型对草地贪夜蛾在3种Bt玉米和2种庇护所条件下的抗性时间进行预测分析。结果显示,无论是采用种子混合庇护所还是结构化庇护所,草地贪夜蛾对Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa-玉米的抗性时间均远长于对Vip3Aa-玉米和Cry1Ab-玉米的抗性时间。在Bt与非Bt植株之间存在异花授粉和幼虫转移的条件下,采用种子混合庇护所的抗性时间较采用结构化庇护所的抗性时间大大缩短。以采用Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa-玉米和比例为0.20的庇护所为例,当异花授粉Bt显性度为0.5、幼虫转移概率为0.95时,采用结构化庇护所的抗性时间超过200代,而采用种子混合庇护所的抗性时间只有59代。结果表明,草地贪夜蛾对Cry1Ab-玉米的抗性风险远大于对Cry1Ab+Vip3Aa-玉米的抗性风险,而种子混合庇护所条件下的抗性风险远大于结构化庇护所条件下的抗性风险。     

Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab蛋白对大草蛉生长发育及酶活力的影响

为明确转Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab基因棉花对大草蛉的影响,运用Bt蛋白与人工饲料混合的方法,以大于转基因棉花叶片中蛋白含量20倍的剂量饲喂大草蛉初孵幼虫,初步研究了Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab对大草蛉生物学参数和消化酶、解毒酶活性的影响。结果表明：取食含Bt蛋白饲料的大草蛉幼虫的发育历期、体重、蛹重、成虫体重、羽化率等生物学参数与对照相比均没有显著差异;在大草蛉幼虫体内可以检测到含量较高的Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab蛋白,分别为974.92~1 282.39 ng/g鲜重和5 592.62~6 082.92 ng/g鲜重,而在大草蛉成虫体内检测到的Cry1Ac和Cry2Ab蛋白含量非常低,分别为0.29~0.39 ng/g鲜重和50.34~56.71 ng/g鲜重;取食含Bt蛋白的饲料对大草蛉幼虫的类胰蛋白酶、类胰凝乳蛋白酶、氨肽酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性有一定的影响,但对大草蛉成虫影响与对照差异不显著。表明大草蛉取食含Bt蛋白的人工饲料后,虽然体内可以检测到一定含量的Bt蛋白,但对大草蛉的生长发育并没有显著的直接不利影响。     

转Bt基因玉米对粘虫的室内杀虫效果评价

在室内用生测法研究了表达Cry1Ab杀虫蛋白的Bt玉米MON810和Bt11小苗和心叶对粘虫Mythimna separata (Walker)初孵幼虫以及玉米叶片对暴食期4龄和5龄幼虫的杀虫效果.结果表明,2种Bt玉米小苗及心叶对粘虫初孵幼虫都具有很好的控制效果,取食MON810和Bt11小苗的粘虫初孵幼虫第1 天的存活率分别为69.44%和86.11%,到第3 天时,取食Bt11小苗的幼虫全部死亡,此时取食MON810小苗的幼虫存活率仅为4.17%,到第7 天全部死亡,而此时在各自相对应的对照玉米DK647和NX4906小苗上幼虫存活率分别为91.66%和88.89%.取食MON810和Bt11心叶的粘虫初孵幼虫第2 天时幼虫存活率急剧下降,分别为13.89%和19.45%,到第7 天时,取食两种Bt玉米心叶的初孵幼虫全部死亡,而取食对照玉米心叶幼虫存活率分别为94.45%和97.22%,差异极显著.两种Bt玉米对粘虫4龄幼虫有很好的杀虫效果,取食的第11天 4龄幼虫全部死亡,对照幼虫存活率均为100%;在Bt11和MON810叶片上取食的粘虫5龄幼虫也不能存活,分别在取食的第11天和12天全部死亡,对照存活率分别为96.00%和98.00%,差异极显著.表明Bt玉米对粘虫初孵幼虫和暴食期的4龄和5龄粘虫都具有显著的致死作用.     

Interaction of proteinase inhibitors with Cry1Ac toxicity and the presence of 15 chymotrypsin cDNAs in the midgut of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND: The potential development of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton and surging of non‐targeted insects is a major risk in the durability of Bt plant technology. Midgut proteinases are involved in Bt activation and degradation. Proteinase inhibitors may be used to control a wide range of insects and delay Bt resistance development. Proactive action to examine proteinase inhibitors for synergistic interaction with Bt toxin and cloning of proteinase cDNAs for RNAi is necessary to make transgenic cotton more versatile and durable. RESULTS: A sublethal dose (15 ppb) of Cry1Ac, 0.5% benzamidine and 0.02% phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride significantly suppressed midgut azocaseinase, tryptic and chymotryptic activities, and resulted in reductions in larval and pupal length and mass of Heliothis virescens. The combination of proteinase inhibitor and Bt suppressed 20–37% more larval body mass and 26–80% more enzymatic activities than the inhibitor only or Bt only. To facilitate knockdown‐resistance‐related proteinase genes, 15 midgut chymotrypsin cDNAs were sequenced. Most predicted chymotrypsins contained the conserved N‐termini IVGG, three catalytic center residues (His, Asp and Ser), substrate specificity determinant (Ser or Gly) and cysteines for disulfide bridges. These putative chymotrypsins were separated into three distinct groups, indicating the diverse proteinases evolved in this polyphagous insect. CONCLUSION: H. virescens has evolved diverse midgut proteinase genes. Proteinase inhibitors have potential insecticidal activity, and the interaction of Bt with proteinase inhibitors is desirable for enhancing Bt toxicity and delaying resistance development. Intensive sequencing of chymotrypsin cDNAs will facilitate future functional examinations of individual roles in Bt toxicity and resistance development and facilitate targeted control using RNAi and/or proteinase inhibitors. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

四种Bt毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫毒力测定及中肠组织病理学变化

为更好地了解苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone的毒力以及作用机理,通过饲喂含有Cry1Ac、Cry1Ab、Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa四种不同Bt毒素蛋白饲料,测定Bt毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫的毒力,并观察取食4种毒素蛋白后幼虫中肠组织的病理学变化。结果显示,二点委夜蛾幼虫取食毒素蛋白后72 h,Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫的杀虫活性较高,校正死亡率为84.7%和76.4%;Vip3Aa和Cry2Ab毒素蛋白的毒力较弱。二点委夜蛾幼虫取食4种Bt毒素蛋白后,中肠柱状细胞微绒毛脱落,杂乱地分散在肠腔内,杯状细胞变形和腔内微绒毛脱落,线粒体和内质网等变形破裂,细胞核的核膜消失、核质凝聚和形状发生变化,经Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白处理后中肠细胞的病变症状和速度明显高于Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa毒素蛋白处理。表明Cry1Ab和Cry1Ac毒素蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫杀虫活性较高,显著高于Cry2Ab和Vip3Aa毒素蛋白,且对其中肠细胞的破坏作用也较强。     

不同Bt杀虫蛋白通过食物链对大草蛉的影响

为了明确目前转基因抗虫植物中表达的Bt蛋白对农田重要捕食性天敌大草蛉的生态安全性,采用三级营养食物链评价体系,分别以对供试Bt蛋白Cry1Ac、Cry1F和Cry2Ab具有抗性的靶标害虫或不敏感的非靶标害虫作为大草蛉的猎物,研究了供试3种蛋白对大草蛉的影响。结果表明,当大草蛉以抗性棉铃虫（抗Cry1Ac或Cry2Ab）或抗性玉米螟（抗Cry1F）为猎物时,供试3种Bt蛋白通过食物链对大草蛉幼虫（4龄幼虫重量和幼虫发育至蛹历期）、蛹（化蛹率、蛹重和蛹发育历期）及成虫（羽化率、雌虫重量、雄虫重量和单雌产卵量）的生长发育及产卵量均无显著影响;同样地,当大草蛉以对3种Bt蛋白不敏感的非靶标昆虫——绿盲蝽作为猎物时,通过食物链传递的Bt蛋白对大草蛉生长发育及繁殖也无显著影响。因此,目前转基因棉花、玉米或水稻中广泛表达的Cry1Ac、Cry1F和Cry2Ab蛋白,通过三级营养食物链,对大草蛉生长发育及繁殖均无潜在毒性。     

F2 screening for resistance to pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis maize in Louisiana and Mississippi populations of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

BACKGROUND: In the mid‐southern region of the United States, sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a major target pest of transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins. Novel transgenic maize technologies containing two or more pyramided Bt genes for controlling lepidopteran pests have recently become commercially available. Insect resistance management (IRM) is an important issue in the sustainable use of Bt crop technologies. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of resistance alleles in field populations of D. saccharalis to the new pyramided Bt maize technologies. RESULTS: A total of 382 F₂ family lines derived from 735 feral larvae/pupae of D. saccharalis collected from six locations in Louisiana and Mississippi during 2008 and 2009 were screened for resistance to three new Bt maize technologies: MON 89034, Genuity? VT Triple Pro? and SmartStax?. None of the 382 F₂ isoline families survived on the Bt maize leaf tissue for ≥ 12 days in the F₂ screen. The joint frequency for two‐ or three‐gene resistance models with 95% probability in these populations was estimated to be < 0.0063 to MON 89034 and < 0.003 to VT Triple Pro? and SmartStax?. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the resistance allele frequency in D. saccharalis to the three pyramided Bt maize technologies is low in the mid‐southern region of the United States, which should meet the rare resistance assumption of the currently used IRM strategy for Bt maize. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry