Comparative susceptibility of Ostrinia furnacalis, Ostrinia nubilalis and Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 toxins

Transgenic corn hybrids that express toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are highly effective against the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), and the closely related Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Since the registration of Bt corn hybrids in the U.S. in 1996, there has been a great deal of information generated on O. nubilalis. However, relatively little information exists for O. furnacalis. To help determine whether the information generated for O. nubilalis can be leveraged for decisions regarding the use of transgenic Bt corn against O. furnacalis, experiments were designed to determine whether the pattern of sensitivity to various Bt Cry1 toxins is similar between the two species. Test insects included laboratory-reared O. furnacalis originating from Malaysia, a Bt-susceptible laboratory colony of O. nubilalis maintained at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and an out-group consisting of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), from Louisiana which represents a different genus from the same family. O. furnacalis and O. nubilalis exhibited a similar pattern of susceptibility to all the Cry1 toxins and were highly susceptible to the range of Bt toxins tested including Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac and Cry1F. Both of the Ostrinia species were more tolerant to Cry1Ba compared with D. saccharalis, although sensitivity of O. furnacalis was intermediate and did not differ significantly from that of O. nubilalis and D. saccharalis. D. saccharalis was also susceptible to the range of toxins tested but unlike the two Ostrinia species, was more tolerant to Cry1F and more susceptible to Cry1Ba. These results indicate that both of the Ostrinia corn borer species are similar in sensitivity to the Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ba and Cry1F toxins, thus suggesting shared toxin receptors and mechanisms of toxicity for the two species.     

Influence of drought stress on Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) oviposition preference in sugarcane

Two sugarcane, Saccharum hybrids, varieties were grown in the greenhouse under well watered or drought conditions to examine the influences of stress on Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), oviposition preference and selected nutritional components without impinging factors common to field conditions that alter responses. Our research revealed that, under controlled conditions, drought induced a wider range and greater uniformity of free amino acid (FAA) accumulations than have been previously reported. Drought stress resulted in increased dry leaf tissue and elevated concentrations of 7 of 9 detectable free essential (for insect health) amino acids in stalks, the chief food of Mexican rice borer larvae. Stressed sugarcane was preferred for oviposition, likely related to greater numbers of dry leaves and heightened host plant nutritional quality. Dry leaf tissue, which is not consumed, may be a cue for improving chances of larvae encountering nutrient-enhanced living tissue, and for concealing eggs in folds. Excised dry leaf tissue from the treatments was indistinguishable for oviposition preference; therefore, biochemical status of living tissue may provide oviposition cues. Varieties exhibited no major genotypic differences in FAA accumulations or oviposition preference.     

Re-evaluation of sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) bioeconomics in Louisiana

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is the key insect pest of sugarcane, Saccharum spp., grown in Louisiana. For more than 40 years, Louisiana sugarcane farmers have used a value of 10% internodes bored at harvest as the economic injury level (EIL). Three plant-cane studies were conducted to re-evaluate the long-standing sugarcane borer EIL level using the most recently released varieties of sugarcane. Varieties were exposed to artificially enhanced borer infestations; the experimental treatments consisted of borer control with insecticides or no control. Data were collected on infestation intensity, damage intensity, and associated yield losses. Crop yields from plots were obtained by mechanical harvesting, and losses were classified as field losses, e.g. losses of gross tonnage in the field and factory losses, e.g., losses that were realized at the factory as cane is being milled. Farm income is based on the product of these two measures of yield, i.e. cane yield×sugar yield. In our study, seasonal stalk-infestation counts did not reveal any indication of preference by the borer moths for a specific variety; infestation pressure was generally uniform within a season among the varieties that we planted. Significant differences were detected among the varieties for harvest percentage of internodes bored as well as yields between borer-controlled and non-controlled plots (P<0.05). In general, varieties were less susceptible to losses in the field (sugarcane yields) than in the factory (sugar yields). As a group, the most recent varieties released to Louisiana growers exhibit more tolerance to the borer than varieties grown 40 years ago. The percent reduction in sugar/ha loss per 1% internodes bored has decreased from an average of 0.74 for varieties grown in the 1960s to 0.61 as a mean for the newly released varieties. Although the cost associated with an insecticide application for sugarcane borer control has increased nearly 4-fold from 1971 to present, sugar yields have increased by approximately 60% allowing farmers to offset some of these increased costs. Our economic analysis indicates that the EIL of 10% internodes bored is too high, considering the high yielding potential and susceptibility of currently grown varieties. For the most at risk farmer, the tenant farmer, a more appropriate value for the EIL is 6% internodes bored. However, this EIL can be raised 12% if a resistant variety is grown.     

Alternate crop and weed host plant oviposition preferences by the Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), is the key pest of sugarcane, Saccharum hybrids, in south Texas, having largely displaced the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), and it is moving into rice- and sugarcane-growing areas of east Texas and Louisiana. While a number of alternative weed and crop hosts have been reported, the extent to which they might support Mexican rice borer populations is unknown. This study involved choice assays that compared oviposition preference for and larval infestations of five mature graminaceous weed species. Levels of infestation between sugarcane and corn, Zea mays L., crop hosts and between corn and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, were also assessed. We determined that the average number of larval entry holes in sudangrass stems was ≥2.5-fold more than for any of the other four weed host plants, that corn had ≥5.9-fold more larval entry holes than sorghum and ≥8.2-fold more than sugarcane. Greater oviposition and infestation of one non-crop host over another was not related to numbers of stems per plant, but was associated with the greater stem diameter and abundance of dry leaf tissue found in Sudangrass, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. drummondi (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet & Harlan, johnsongrass, S. halepense (L.) and barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.; relative to the other weed species in this study. In terms of the crop plants, stalk diameter and quantity of dry leaf tissue were not associated with numbers of eggs or larval entry holes in the choice assays between corn and sorghum, and between sugarcane and corn. While corn has been known as a host of the Mexican rice borer for at least 84 yr, its role in area-wide population dynamics and control efforts has likely been greatly underestimated.     

Quantification of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab protein in tissues of YieldGard (MON810) corn hybrids tested at multiple field locations in India

Transgenically expressed Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal-protein Cry1Ab was quantified in target tissues of insect feeding of several YieldGard^® corn hybrids. The Cry1Ab protein is intended to protect corn plants from two economically important stem borers, Chilo partellus and Sesamia inferens. A total of seven YieldGard hybrids, all with MON810 event, were field-tested in a total of fourteen locations during the dry season (October–March) of 2005/2006 and wet season (May–October) of 2006. S. inferens and C. partellus oviposit on leaves of young corn plants, 15–60 days after emergence (DAE). The neonates initially feed by scraping the leaf lamina before migrating to bore into the stem. Thus high concentrations of Cry1Ab in whorl leaf and stem tissues would ensure effective control of the borers. The mean tissue Cry1Ab concentrations during the oviposition window of the borers (15–60 DAE), ranged from 50.05 to 21.01 ppm in whorl leaf, and between 9.26 and 3.47 ppm in stem tissue during the same period in the dry season of 2005/06. Similarly, Cry1Ab concentrations in whorl leaf and stem between 15 and 60 DAE during the wet season of 2006 ranged between 19.30 to 11.08 and 14.28 to 4.69 ppm, respectively. The baseline-sensitivity data of these insects to Cry1Ab in laboratory assays was determined. The concentrations of Cry1Ab in the target tissues as studied in seven YieldGard hybrids tested suggest effective management of the two borers. This paper also provides a summary of the expression of the Cry1Ab gene in various genetic backgrounds.     

Damage and survivorship of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on transgenic field corn expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins

Field corn, Zea mays L., plants expressing Cry1Ab and Cry1F insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner are planted on considerable acreage across the Southern region of the United States. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is an economically important pest during the mid-to-late season on non-Bt and some commercial Bt corn hybrids. The objective of this study was to quantify foliar injury and survivorship of fall armyworm on transgenic corn lines expressing Cry1Ab or Cry1F Bt proteins. Corn lines/hybrids expressing Cry1Ab, Cry1F, and a conventional non-Bt cultivar were evaluated against artificial infestations of fall armyworm in field trials. Larvae (second instars) of fall armyworm were placed on corn plants (V8-V10 stages). Leaf injury ratings were recorded 14 d after infestation. Hybrids expressing Cry1F had significantly lower feeding injury ratings than non-Bt corn plants. Development and survivorship of fall armyworm on Bt corn lines/hybrids were also evaluated in no-choice laboratory assays by offering freshly harvested corn leaf tissue to third instars. Transgenic corn hybrids expressing Cry1Ab or Cry1F significantly reduced growth, development, and survivorship of fall armyworm compared to those offered non-Bt corn tissue. However, 25-76% of third instars offered Bt corn leaf tissues successfully pupated and emerged as adults. These results suggest Cry1Ab has limited effects on fall armyworm; whereas Cry1F demonstrated significant reductions in foliar injury and lower survivorship compared to that on non-Bt corn tissues. Although fall armyworm is not considered a primary target for insect resistance management by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these levels of survivorship could impact selection pressures across the farmscape, especially when considering that transgenic Bt cotton cultivars express similar Cry (Cry1Ac or Cry1F) proteins.     

Feeding disruption tests for monitoring the frequency of larval lepidopteran resistance to Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Cry1Ab

An alternative to traditional larval lepidopteran resistance-monitoring bioassays was developed. Feeding disruption tests were developed for detecting insects resistant to three Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins: Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Cry1Ab. The assays rely on a diagnostic dose of Bt toxin in 100-μl hydratable meal pads of artificial diet containing blue indicator dye. The assay was formatted as a portable (palm-sized) plastic plate containing an array of 16 test wells, each containing a single hydratable meal pad with one insect added per well. The diagnostic dose was the concentration of Bt in meal pad rehydration solution that reduced 24 h dyed fecal production of Bt-susceptible neonates to ≤2 fecal pellets per larva. Bt-resistant neonates were able to consume the diagnostic dose of the insecticidal protein and produce >2 blue fecal pellets. The feces were distinctly visible on the white background of the feeding disruption test plate. Diagnostic doses were determined with lab-strain Bt-susceptible Heliothis virescens and Helicoverpa zea. For H. virescens, the diagnostic doses were 10, 20 and 15 μg/ml for Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Cry1Ab, respectively. For H. zea, the diagnostic doses were 40, 200 and 500 μg/ml, respectively. The assays were validated against a lab-strain of Bt-resistant H. virescens and with susceptible larval H. virescens collected as eggs from field-grown tobacco in North Carolina.     

Susceptibility of Cry1Ab-susceptible and -resistant sugarcane borer to transgenic corn plants containing single or pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis genes

Multiple independent trials were conducted to evaluate the performance of Cry1Ab-susceptible (Cry1Ab-SS), -heterozygous (Cry1Ab-RS), and -resistant (Cry1Ab-RR) genotypes of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), on eight commercial hybrids and six experimental corn lines. The commercial varieties included two non-Bt and six Bt corn hybrids that expressed a single Bt protein (either Cry1Ab or Cry1F) targeting above-ground lepidopteran pests. The six experimental lines consisted of two non-Bt and four Bt corn lines, two expressing just the Cry1Ab protein and two containing the pyramided-genes Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 (event MON 89034). Larval mortality on non-Bt corn leaf tissue ranged from 6 to 45% after 12 d across insect genotypes. The 12 d mortality of Cry1Ab-SS on leaf tissue of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 96-100%, whereas it was 80-96% for Cry1Ab-RS and 68-78% for Cry1Ab-RR. On intact plants, 39-64% of larvae survived on non-Bt corn plants after 21-25 d. Larval survivorship on intact plants of commercial Cry1Ab or Cry1F corn was 0-8.1% for Cry1Ab-SS, 1.3-34% for Cry1Ab-RS, and 19-51% for Cry1Ab-RR. Larvae of Cry1Ab-RR and -RS also caused significant plant injury to most of the commercial Bt corn hybrids, especially to the Cry1Ab corn. Cry1Ab resistance in D. saccharalis was incompletely dominant on commercial Bt corn hybrids. However, both experimental lines with pyramided genes of Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 provided complete control of all three insect genotypes in both leaf tissue and intact plant tests. Results of this study suggest that MON 89034 should offer a means for Bt resistance management in D. saccharalis.     

Transgenic Bt corn varietal resistance against the Mexican rice borer,Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and implications to sugarcane

The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), attacks crops including corn, Zea mays L., rice, Oryza sativa L., sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and sugarcane, Saccharum spp. Strongly resistant varieties of any kind, native or otherwise, have not been identified. A field plot corn variety test using two transgenic Bt varieties, Pioneer 31G71, expressing the Cry1F insecticidal protein, and Golden Acres 28V81, expressing the Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2, and Cry3Bb1 insecticidal proteins, and two non-Bt controls, Dekalb DKC 69-72 and BH Genetics 9050, all four commonly grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, showed that, although oviposition preference was not affected, 28V81 resisted larval stalk boring to the extent that Mexican rice borer injury was almost non-existent. Pioneer 31G71 was infested nearly as much as the controls, but larval development to adulthood was reduced by ≈70%. Rearing larvae on 5, 50, 500, and 5000 μg of corn leaf tissue per ml of artificial diet showed that, while the three lowest concentrations did not affect larval growth and development, the high concentration of 28V81 reduced survivorship to the pupal stage, decreased weight of 4-wk-old larvae, and prolonged development to pupation. Lower numbers of pheromone trap-captured adults at the edges of commercial Bt and non-Bt corn fields showed that populations were lower at the Bt cornfields, suggesting a lesser rate of adult production. Because corn is a preferred host plant over sugarcane, sorghum or rice, use of resistant transgenic Bt corn varieties will likely protect the crop from the substantial injury that can be caused by the pest. This study also suggests that Bt genes might result in similarly strong resistance when inserted in other vulnerable crops such as sugarcane.     

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) and insecticide mixtures to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn crops

The main insect pest in Brazilian corn is fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can be used to control this pest, and can be applied together with various insecticides. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of mixtures of EPNs and insecticides to control S. frugiperda in corn crops. In laboratory bioassays three species of EPNs were tested (Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri) together with 18 registered insecticides to control S. frugiperda in corn. Efficacy of association between insecticides and EPNs on S. frugiperda larvae was evaluated against the insect's third instar, 2 and 4 days after applications in laboratory. Experiments in the field were performed in two consecutive years, with located application of H. indica and S. carpocapsae (250 IJs/cm²) mixed with chlorpyrifos (0.3 L/ha) and lufenuron (0.15 L/ha) on the corn husk. In laboratory, after two days exposure the interaction between chlorpyrifos and H. indica was synergistic, while interaction with cypermethrin, spinosad, methoxyfenozide and deltamethrin + triazofos was additive, as was interaction between lufenuron, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin with S. carpocapsae. In contrast, the interaction between chlorpyrifos (Vexter™ and Lorsban™) and lufenuron with S. glaseri was synergistic. In the field, the best treatment was the mixture of H. indica with lufenuron (0.15 L/ha), with 62.5% and 57.5% larval mortality in the two evaluation years in the field, respectively.     

Comparative assessment of the field-susceptibility of Sesamia nonagrioides to the Cry1Ab toxin in areas with different adoption rates of Bt maize and in Bt-free areas

A three year (2003-2005) field study compared the susceptibility to the Cry1Ab toxin, expressed in Bt maize, of Mediterranean corn borer (MCB) Sesamia nonagrioides populations collected from areas with different adoption rates of Bt maize in Spain with Bt-free areas in Greece. Spain is the only European country where the cultivar Compa CB derived from the event Bt176 was commercially grown, from 1998 to 2005. The large decrease of the titer of the toxin in this cultivar at later growth stages represented the worst-case scenario for resistance development of MCB, since larvae of the second and third generations were exposed to sublethal concentrations of Cry1Ab toxin. Our data revealed that the variation in susceptibility to Cry1Ab for the MCB Spanish field populations analyzed in the three years was very low, with LC₅₀ values fluctuating between 12 and 30 ng Cry1Ab/cm², regardless of the region of origin, the type of maize (Bt or non-Bt) and the year. Furthermore, no significant differences were found when comparisons were made with a laboratory population (LC₅₀ values: 18-26 ng Cry1Ab/cm²) or with field populations from Greece (Bt-free areas), which displayed LC₅₀ values ranging between 22 and 27 ng Cry1Ab/cm². Standardizing bioassay protocols proved to be essential for obtaining comparable results. These findings suggest that resistant MCB populations did not evolve in those Spanish maize areas where Compa CB was largely cultivated for eight years, contradicting the expected rapid development of resistance under these unfavourable conditions. Additionally, our results can be used as baseline indices in post-market resistance monitoring programs if Bt maize is introduced in Greece. Further studies should continue, since the insights gained from a resistance monitoring program may help to enhance the durability of Bt maize.     

转Bt基因玉米对亚洲玉米螟的抗性及其农艺性状研究

以普通玉米杂交组合N3030、N4640为对照，通过盆栽接虫试验和田间调查，系统研究了转Bt基因玉米杂交组合N3030Bt和N4640Bt对亚洲玉米螟的抗虫效果和主要农艺性状变化。结果表明，转Bt基因玉米对亚洲玉米螟产卵无驱避作用，但花叶率、茎秆和雌雄穗的受害程度均明显轻于对照；转Bt基因玉米的生育期、株高、穗位高、穗长、穗粗等与对照差异不大，秃尖长明显短于对照，穗粒数和产量明显高于对照。     

北方春玉米密植条件下玉米螟危害规律研究

2012～2013年于沈阳开展田间试验,对不同密度种植玉米田的玉米螟危害及玉米产量差异进行比较,研究玉米密植对亚洲玉米螟危害规律的影响。结果表明,一代玉米螟危害在2012年75 000株/hm²小区花叶率、虫孔数和幼虫数显著高于常规田,2013年90 000株/hm²小区花叶率、幼虫数、虫孔数高于常规田,花叶率和虫孔数差异显著;二代玉米螟危害在2012年75 000株/hm²雌穗被害率、虫孔数、幼虫数和被害率显著高于常规田,2013年90 000株/hm²小区雌穗被害率、虫孔数和幼虫数显著高于常规田。2012年种植密度与产量呈抛物线关系,2013年90 000株/hm²小区产量显著高于常规田,常规田百粒重和单穗重显著高于密植田。随玉米种植密度提高,玉米螟危害有加重趋势。     

Field assessment of novaluron for sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), management in Louisiana sugarcane

On-farm field experiments were conducted in 2004 and 2007 to assess the suitability of novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, for sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), management in Louisiana sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). Aerial insecticide applications reproducing commercial production practices were made when D. saccharalis infestation levels exceeded a recommended action threshold. In addition to decreased D. saccharalis infestations, 6.3 – 14.5-fold reductions in end of season injury, expressed as the percentage of bored sugarcane internodes, were observed in plots treated with novaluron. D. saccharalis control in novaluron plots was equivalent to (P > 0.05) or better (P < 0.05) than that achieved with tebufenozide, an ecdysone agonist that has been extensively used for over a decade on sugarcane. With a numerical trend of a 3.1-fold decrease in percent bored internodes, the pyrethroid gamma-cyhalothrin seemed less effective than the biorational insecticides in protecting sugarcane against D. saccharalis. Using continuous pitfall trap sampling, no measurable (P > 0.05) decreases in predaceous and non-predaceous soil-dwelling non-target arthropods were associated with insecticides. However, numerical trends for decreases in immature crickets associated with novaluron and gamma-cyhalothrin were recorded in 2007. Our data suggest that novaluron will fit well in Louisiana sugarcane integrated pest management.     

Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Rhabditida) with registered insecticides for Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered the main key pest of corn crops in Brazil. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) may be used to control this pest, applied together with other different entomopathogen agents or phytosanity products in the spraying mixture. Thus, the objective of work was to evaluate the compatibility of EPNs with different insecticides used of S. frugiperda control in laboratory conditions. Three species of EPNs (Heterorhabditis indica, Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema glaseri) and 18 insecticides registered to control of S. frugiperda in corn crops were tested. Compatibility of the insecticides with EPNs was evaluated by observing mortality and infectivity of infecting juveniles (IJs) 48 h after immersion in solution of the insecticide formulations. Among all insecticides tested, Lorsban™ (chlorpyrifos), Decis™ (deltamethrin), Match™ (lufenuron), Deltaphos™ (deltramethrin + triazophos), Dimilin™ (diflubenzuron), Stallion™ (gamacyhalothrin), Karate Zeon™ (lambdacyhalothrin) Tracer™ (spinosad), Vexter™ (chlorpyrifos), Galgotrin™ (cypermethrin), Certero™ (triflumuron), and Talcord™ (permethrin) were compatible (class 1) with the three nematode species tested under laboratory conditions.     

东北地区亚洲玉米螟危害损失测定模型研究

研究并建立玉米螟产量损失与不同代数(一代、二代及一二代混合发生)幼虫数量及产量损失与产量构成因子、相关生育指标间的关系,便于制定更加准确且适应种群发生规律变化的防治指标。结果表明,不同生育期的玉米螟卵量与产量损失之间呈显著相关和回归关系,仅一代幼虫和仅二代幼虫的危害具有独立性,且第二代幼虫是造成玉米产量损失的主要世代。在此基础上,分别建立仅一代、仅二代玉米螟幼虫数量与产量损失的数学模型,并根据模型特性以叠加的方式得到一二代混合发生的玉米螟幼虫数量与产量损失之间的数学模型。     

6种杀虫剂对玉米穗期主要鳞翅目害虫毒力及防效评价

为明确不同类别杀虫剂对玉米穗期主要鳞翅目害虫的防控应用前景,采用人工饲料混药法测定6种杀虫剂对棉铃虫(Helicoverpa armigera)、玉米螟(Ostrinia furnacalis)、桃蛀螟(Conogethes punctiferalis)幼虫的毒力,通过田间药效试验评价其对玉米穗期害虫的防治效果。室内毒力测定结果表明,氯虫苯甲酰胺、四氯虫酰胺、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、虫螨腈对棉铃虫、玉米螟、桃蛀螟具有较高的室内毒力,LC₅₀值分别在0.29～0.51、0.17～0.51、0.03～0.20、0.61～8.32 mg/L;辛硫磷毒力最低,对3种害虫毒力分别为127.76、80.57、62.11 mg/L。田间药效试验表明,6种杀虫剂对玉米穗期害虫均表现出一定的防治效果,氯虫苯甲酰胺、四氯虫酰胺、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、虫螨腈各处理对穗虫防治效果较高,防效在73.29%～83.52%,显著高于甲氧虫酰肼、辛硫磷各处理防效,能有效控制玉米穗期害虫危害。综合室内毒力、田间药效试验,氯虫苯甲酰、四氯虫酰胺、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐、虫螨腈在玉米穗期害虫防控上具...     

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (Nemata: Rhabditida) to control Brazilian apple leafroller Bonagota salubricola (Meyrick, 1937) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The Brazilian apple leafroller, Bonagota salubricola (Meyrick, 1937) (Bonagota cranaodes) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is one of the main pest problems in apple orchards is Brazil. The purpose of this work was to evaluate B. salubricola larval and pupal susceptibility to different species of entomopathogenic nematodes, isolated in Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil, under laboratory and field (apple orchard) conditions. Bioassays for isolates selection and determination of lethal concentration were performed in tubes of 1.5 ml (eppendorf), each containing one B. salubricola third instar larvae and filter paper. Field experiments were performed in commercial orchard, with application of 100 infecting juveniles (IJs)/cm² for each apple plant previously infected with five B. salubricola larvae covered with plastic trays containing thin cloth. Nematodes H. bacteriophora RS107 and H. bacteriophora RS57 had LC₅₀ of 13 and 4.5 IJs/larvae (4.3 and 1.5 IJs/cm²), respectively. In the field, H. bacteriophora RS107 and H. bacteriophora RS57, applied with sorbitol as an adjuvant, reached 70.2 and 61.1% larval mortality, respectively. The results showed that both isolates had biological activity against B. salubricola under laboratory and field conditions.     

Rice striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), overwintering in super rice and its control using cultivation techniques

Super rice has the potential to deliver very high yields but is also susceptible to attack by the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis. In this study, surveys and field trials were performed to examine this problem and efficient ways were found to lower the borer’s population density. It was found that larger super rice plants provided more refuges for borers to evade insecticide contact and had a longer growth period allowing borers to complete their larval development in an intact environment. The current cultivation regime was shown to favour outbreaks of borers. Super rice is harvested leaving tall field stubbles until the following growing season, thus providing food and cover in which borers may successfully overwinter. We found that borer larvae were distributed to a greater height in the plants of super rice than in common rice, making control through agricultural operations more feasible. Burning fields after harvest, which killed 84.5% of borers, seemed the best remedy, though this practice is forbidden in China for ecological reasons. Leaving short stubbles followed by appropriate treatment of the rice straw killed 74.0% of the borer population. In addition, spring irrigation after the pre-pupation dispersal movements of borers killed more than half of the overwintering population. Pre-winter rotary tillage had little effect on borer numbers but enhanced the population reduction effect of irrigation the following spring. Based on the results obtained, efficient control of borers on super rice can be achieved by harvesting leaving short stubbles, followed by rotary tillage and spring irrigation. This regime can reduce the borer population by more than 98%, minimising chemical use and maximising use of a reduced agricultural workforce.     

Evaluation of European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval movement and survival in structured and seed blend refuge plantings

Blending Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn and non-Bt corn seeds in the same bag is a convenient and easier compliance solution to satisfy refuge regulations. However, there has been considerable debate and concern about larval movement of the target insects in a seed blend because of its potential effect on the development of resistance. Reported here are studies to determine the larval movement of European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), in a seed blend compared to a structured refuge and their effects on survival, feeding injury and larval fitness. Also evaluated is the relative performance of a purple-seeded corn hybrid as a surrogate host plant for tracking gene flow. Seed blend and structured refuge arrangements of Agrisure GT/CB/LL Bt corn expressing Cry1Ab and isoline plants were evaluated at two locations in 2013 and 2014 by manually infesting refuge plants with first and second generation corn borer larvae. The majority of leaf and stalk injury was recorded on the refuge plant, which amounted to 66–83% of the total tunnel length. In both refuge arrangements, plant injury and the number of larvae recovered significantly decreased on neighboring plants with increasing distance away from the refuge plant in the same row. The relative decline in injury was much more pronounced in the seed blend, with neighbor Bt plants experiencing very minor tunneling or no injury at all due to the high dose trait. Eighty-nine percent fewer live larvae were also found on neighbor Bt plants in the seed blend compared to those found in the structured refuge plots. Larvae that moved to Bt plants as well as older instars that were manually placed on Bt plants failed to complete development. Comparison of the number of tunnels and larvae recovered per refuge plant indicated that the seed blend may not produce as many susceptible individuals as those produced in a structured refuge arrangement. Although the purple-seeded hybrid showed lower levels of ear and stalk injury, it could serve as an appropriate surrogate refuge plant to track gene flow.