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     

草地贪夜蛾入侵机制概述

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda自入侵我国后,对我国玉米等重要农作物造成了重大经济损害,对我国的粮食安全造成了严重威胁。本文从草地贪夜蛾的生物学特征、种群形成及扩张、适应性进化等方面探讨该物种的入侵机制,并对我国草地贪夜蛾的研究和防控工作提出展望,以期为草地贪夜蛾的综合防控提供一定的参考依据。     

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     

Characterization of field‐evolved resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis‐derived Cry1F δ‐endotoxin in Spodoptera frugiperda populations from Argentina

BACKGROUND

Transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) event TC1507 (Herculex^® I insect protection), expressing Cry1F δ‐endotoxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai, was commercialized in 2003 in the Americas. Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) susceptibility to Cry1F was monitored annually across several regions in Argentina using diagnostic concentration bioassays. Reduced performance of TC1507 maize against S. frugiperda was reported in 2013. A resistant population was established in the laboratory and the dominance of Cry1F resistance was characterized.

RESULTS

During 2012–2015, high‐survivorship of several populations was observed in the resistance monitoring program. Reciprocal crosses of a Cry1F‐resistant population with a Cry1F‐susceptible population were evaluated to calculate effective dominance (D_ML) based on mortality levels observed at 100 µg/ml Cry1F. Two additional dominance levels (D_LC and D_EC) were calculated using lethal (LC₅₀) or effective concentration (EC₅₀) derived from concentration–response bioassays. Estimates indicated that Cry1F resistance in S. frugiperda in Argentina was either highly recessive (D_ML = 0.005) or incompletely recessive (D_LC < 0.26 and D_EC < 0.19).

CONCLUSION

This study is the first documented confirmation and characterization of S. frugiperda Cry1F field‐evolved resistance in Argentina. The resistance to Cry1F in S. frugiperda populations collected in Argentina, is autosomal and incompletely recessive similar to the resistance reported in Brazil. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley © Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

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。     

草地贪夜蛾侵害我国大豆的风险预警

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda是一种在全世界范围内危害性极强的害虫。2019年初突然侵入我国云南省并迅猛扩散迁移至国内大部分地区,对玉米等作物生产造成重大影响。我国大豆与玉米生产区重合较多,草地贪夜蛾是否会对大豆产生重大危害是一个值得注意的问题。本文从草地贪夜蛾的食性特点和迁移速度以及新生境3个方面评估了此类昆虫可能对我国大豆造成的危害,并对我国大豆生产中草地贪夜蛾的短期和长期预防策略进行了展望,以期为大豆生产中潜在的风险提供预警。     

玉米-大豆间作对草地贪夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

为绿色防控草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda,通过生命表研究玉米和大豆对草地贪夜蛾生长发育和繁殖能力的影响,同时室内测定草地贪夜蛾幼虫和成虫对玉米及大豆的产卵选择性和取食趋向性,并通过室内和田间小区试验研究玉米-大豆间作对草地贪夜蛾种群发生的影响。结果显示,取食大豆后草地贪夜蛾可以完成生活史,但与取食玉米相比,取食大豆会导致草地贪夜蛾发育迟缓,存活率降低,成虫期缩短,繁殖力下降和产卵天数减少;取食玉米的草地贪夜蛾种群的内禀增长率、周限增长率和净增殖率均显著高于取食大豆的草地贪夜蛾种群,取食玉米的草地贪夜蛾种群的平均世代周期低于取食大豆的种群,但两者间差异不显著。与大豆相比,草地贪夜蛾幼虫和成虫均对玉米有明显的趋性。当玉米与大豆按照2∶2比例间作时,植株上的草地贪夜蛾着卵率为65.31%,显著低于玉米单作的着卵率。当大豆包围玉米和玉米与大豆按照2∶2比例间作时,玉米的被害率分别为86.67%和85.56%,均显著低于玉米单作的被害率。表明玉米与大豆按适度比例间作可以显著降低草地贪夜蛾的发生和为害。     

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。     

草地贪夜蛾对金银花的取食适应性

为明确新入侵农业害虫草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda对药用植物金银花Lonicera japonica的潜在为害风险,采用室内饲养观察法比较取食玉米Zea mays和金银花叶片后草地贪夜蛾的种群特征,并采用室内生测法测定取食2种植物幼虫体内消化酶和解毒酶的活性。结果显示,草地贪夜蛾在金银花上能完成完整的世代发育。取食金银花叶片的草地贪夜蛾幼虫发育历期为24.08 d,显著长于取食玉米的幼虫发育历期（18.47 d）;取食金银花叶片的幼虫存活率为63.67%,较取食玉米叶片幼虫的存活率78.00%明显降低;取食金银花叶片的草地贪夜蛾雌、雄蛹重分别为197.98 mg和198.78 mg,显著大于取食玉米叶片时;取食金银花和玉米叶片的草地贪夜蛾成虫的繁殖力与寿命均无显著差异。取食金银花叶片的草地贪夜蛾5龄幼虫中肠中的淀粉酶、脂肪酶、胰蛋白酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶和细胞色素P450酶的活性均较取食玉米叶片时显著降低,但羧酸酯酶活性较取食玉米叶片时显著升高。表明草地贪夜蛾在金银花上能较好地生长发育和繁殖,这对金银花的安全生产构成潜在威胁。     

草地贪夜蛾防控研究文献计量可视化分析

为系统分析草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda当前的研究动态和方向,本文从Web of Science和CNKI中国知网下载相关数据,采用文献计量学方法对1920—2020年在国内外期刊上发表的1 222篇关于草地贪夜蛾防治的文献进行统计分析。当前草地贪夜蛾相关研究文献处于逐年上升的趋势;在外文文献中,草地贪夜蛾相关文献自20世纪80年代以来,发文量呈井喷式增长,主要出自美国、巴西、墨西哥等美洲国家,占比超过60%,相关高水平和有影响力的文献主要出自美国、英国、法国等西方发达国家,研究热点主要是草地贪夜蛾与其主要寄主作物玉米以及苏云金芽胞杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis、杆状病毒、真菌和转基因玉米等生防作用物之间的关系。草地贪夜蛾自2019年1月入侵我国后,国内关于草地贪夜蛾防治的文献迅速增加,中文文献有148篇,但在国际性期刊上发表的文献较少,研究内容主要以生防作用物、应急化学农药及主要为害作物玉米为对象。计量分析结果可为我国草地贪夜蛾的研究及绿色高效防治技术研发提供思路和方法。     

草地贪夜蛾取食诱导玉米叶片转录组分析

为阐明玉米响应草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda取食胁迫防御反应的分子机制,利用RNAseq技术对草地贪夜蛾取食的玉米叶片进行转录组测序分析,并对抗虫代谢产物生物合成途径中的基因进行筛选鉴定。结果显示,与未接虫对照相比,草地贪夜蛾取食18 h导致玉米叶片中有1 645个基因差异表达(log2|处理/对照|1且FDR0.05),其中上调表达基因有1 352个,下调表达基因有293个。茉莉酸、水杨酸、乙烯等植物激素生物合成与信号转导途径相关基因大多上调表达,其中44个茉莉酸途径相关基因全部上调表达,说明该途径在玉米响应草地贪夜蛾取食诱导的防御反应中发挥着核心作用,其它激素生物合成与信号转导途径发挥协同作用。玉米重要抗虫次生代谢物苯并噁唑嗪酮类生物合成相关基因中有9个基因上调表达;15个萜烯挥发物生物合成相关差异表达基因中有14个上调表达,包括8个萜烯合成酶基因和1个CYP基因CYP92C5。表明草地贪夜蛾取食会诱导玉米复杂的植物激素途径和基因调控机制,激活以次级抗虫代谢物合成为主的防御反应。     

取食不同寄主的草地贪夜蛾肠道微生物多样性分析

为绿色防控草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda,基于16S rDNA和ITS高通量测序分析,对分别取食玉米、小麦以及田间常见杂草婆婆纳Veronica polita的草地贪夜蛾肠道细菌和真菌进行物种注释、多样性分析、物种组成分析及功能预测。结果显示,细菌注释共获得20门30纲72目106科164属214种,真菌注释共获得9门23纲46目90科154属237种。厚壁菌门、放线菌门和变形菌门为取食玉米、小麦和婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道优势细菌门,子囊菌门和担子菌门为取食玉米、小麦和婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道优势真菌门。肠球菌属Enterococcus为取食玉米、小麦和婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道细菌共同的优势属,相对丰度分别为70.86%、25.42%和72.02%;丝孢酵母属Tricho-sporon 和帚枝霉属 Sarocladium 为取食玉米的草地贪夜蛾肠道真菌的优势属,相对丰度分别为57.28%和17.38%,酵母菌目未分类属、小囊菌属Microascus和丝孢酵母属Trichosporon为取食小麦的草地贪夜蛾肠道真菌优势属,相对丰度分别为29.31%、27.01%和15.45%,双足囊菌科未分类属为取食婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道真菌优势属,相对丰度为61.79%。取食小麦的草地贪夜蛾肠道细菌群落的多样性最高,取食婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道真菌群落的多样性最高,取食婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道细菌和真菌群落的丰富度最高。取食玉米、小麦和婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道细菌群落功能主要与代谢通路相关,取食玉米、小麦和婆婆纳的草地贪夜蛾肠道真菌群落功能主要与基础代谢或生理功能相关。     

Old and new association of Cotesia icipe (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with alien invasive and native Spodoptera species and key stemborer species: implication for their management

BACKGROUND

Maize production in Africa is hindered by a myriad of biotic challenges, key among them being invasive and native lepidopteran stemborers. Recent invasion of the continent by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, has further exacerbated the situation. Fortunately, Cotesia icipe was found to be very promising against S. frugiperda. However, the co-occurrence and interaction between S. frugiperda and the stemborers (Busseola fusca, Sesamia calamistis, and Chilo partellus) in maize agroecosystem may jeopardize the efficiency of C. icipe as a biocontrol agent of S. frugiperda. This study investigated the performance of C. icipe on S. frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis and the stemborers. Specifically, the preference and acceptability of C. icipe to the host insects, the physiological suitability of the hosts for its development, and the effect of these hosts on the fitness parameters of the offspring were assessed.

RESULTS

Cotesia icipe accepted all the tested hosts, albeit with higher preference for Spodoptera species than for stemborers under multiple-choice tests. Also, the highest parasitism of up to 97% was recorded on S. frugiperda compared with parasitism on the stemborers of 43% in B. fusca. Moreover, physiological suitability and fitness traits (except for per cent female offspring) varied with host species, again being optimal on Spodoptera species.

CONCLUSION

Cotesia icipe demonstrated strong potential to control S. frugiperda in maize due to its high affinity for parasitization and developmental success in this host; and despite its non-specific parasitization, the presence of other hosts may not prevent its maximum control of S. frugiperda. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

中国转基因抗虫玉米的商业化策略

玉米是全球播种面积最大的粮食作物,事关世界粮食安全。鳞翅目和鞘翅目害虫是影响玉米产量和品质的重要因素,长期以来多数国家采取以喷施化学农药为主的防控策略,但存在较高的使用成本和环境风险等问题。作为新一代的害虫防控技术,转基因抗虫玉米于1996年开始在美国商业化种植,并迅速推广到巴西等主要玉米生产国家,成为防控草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda和欧洲玉米螟Ostrinia nubilalis等重大害虫的核心技术。该文综述了全球转基因抗虫玉米商业化的历史和防控害虫的作用,分析了美国对欧洲玉米螟和草地贪夜蛾等靶标害虫抗性治理的成功经验以及巴西等南美国家草地贪夜蛾对多种转基因抗虫玉米产生抗性的成因与教训。基于中国转基因抗虫玉米转化事件的研发现状、玉米生产模式、玉米害虫的区域发生特点和迁飞生物学等特性,提出在南方和西南山地丘陵玉米区种植包含Vip3A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控草地贪夜蛾,在黄淮海夏玉米区种植包含Cry2A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera,在北方春玉米区种植包含Cry1A的多基因叠加抗虫玉米从源头防控亚洲玉米螟Ostr...     

Impact of push–pull cropping system on pest management and occurrence of ear rots and mycotoxin contamination of maize in western Kenya

Push–pull involves intercropping of cereals with Desmodium as a “push” crop and planting Napier grass/Brachiaria as the “pull” crop at the border. The technology has been reported to effectively control stemborers, striga weed, and fall armyworm (FAW), and to improve soil nutrition, resulting in increased grain yield. This study evaluated the impact of stemborer and FAW management using this technology on incidence of maize ear rots and preharvest contamination of grains with aflatoxin and fumonisin in western Kenya. The study was conducted during three cropping seasons on maize grown under the push–pull system and as a monocrop. Incidence of stemborer and FAW damage was determined as percentage of damaged plants, while incidence of ear rots was determined as percentage of ears with symptoms. At harvest, fungi were isolated from kernels and aflatoxin and fumonisin were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stemborer and FAW damage was significantly (p = .001) reduced by over 50% under the push–pull system. There was also a significant (p < .001) reduction in the incidence of Fusarium verticillioides (60%) and Aspergillus flavus (86%), which was reflected in a reduced incidence of ear rots (50%) with the push–pull system (p = .001). Fumonisin in maize from push-pull farms was significantly (p = .048) reduced (39%) but the technology had no significant (p > .05) effect on aflatoxin. The study showed that push–pull is an effective strategy for managing maize ear rots and fumonisins, and therefore could play a role in improving food safety among smallholder maize farmers in the region.     

First record of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Syria

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a lepidopteran pest that can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops. It is widely present in the Americans and has been invasive in Africa since 2016. Larvae of S. frugiperda were found for the first time in four rural farms on maize plants (Zea mays) located in Tafas town (Dara’a Governorate, in the south‐west of Syria) in November 2020. Infested maize showed the typical damage symptoms caused by S. frugiperda. Furthermore, morphological identification of larvae based on standard parameters of larvae confirmed the identity of the pest as fall armyworm. Considering the recent introduction of the pest into the EPPO region, it could be concluded that the pest probably entered Syria through natural spread (active flight and via wind currents) from Jordan, which borders Syria in the southern part and where the pest was found very recently.     

药源植物在草地贪夜蛾防控中的应用研究进展

草地贪夜蛾作为世界重大迁飞性害虫,自2019年侵入我国,已对我国的玉米、甘蔗等多种作物造成了较大经济损失。采用化学合成农药防治草地贪夜蛾的弊端已逐步显现,找到可以替代化学合成农药的手段十分必要,其中植物源药剂是重要的替代途径。目前,全世界已报道了80余种在草地贪夜蛾防控中具有应用前景的药源植物,以菊科植物资源最丰富,还有唇形科和豆科等植物;这些植物的提取物中包含对草地贪夜蛾具有控制作用的活性组分,主要包括萜类、类黄酮、生物碱、脂肪酸类等,其对草地贪夜蛾的作用方式主要包括胃毒、触杀、生长发育调节、拒食、抑制细胞增殖、诱导细胞凋亡等。药源植物提取物在对草地贪夜蛾的防控中具有持续防效明显、作用靶标多样、不易产生抗药性和环境友好等特点,开发应用前景广阔。     

Developmental studies of transgenic maize expressing Cry1Ab on the African stem borer, Busseola fusca; effects on midgut cellular structure

BACKGROUND: Busseola fusca is a major pest of maize in Africa but unfortunately is difficult to control using chemical insecticides. Insect‐resistant transgenic crops may provide an alternative viable strategy to control this pest. RESULTS: Recombinant Cry1Ab (1%) reduced larval weight by 60% over the trial period, while larval weight in the control group increased by 25%; no effects on mortality were observed. Insect survival, developmental rate and pupal and adult weight were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) on maize expressing Cry1Ab (MON810) compared with the non‐transformed parental line. These differences were more pronounced with second‐instar larvae than with third‐instar larvae. Leaf area consumed by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐fed larvae was significantly lower (0.5 cm² larva^?1 day^?1) compared with the area consumed by control‐fed insects (3.3 cm² larva^?1 day^?1). EM studies revealed that consumption of Bt maize deleteriously affected gut integrity. Effects were observed in columnar cells of the midgut epithelium, with the cytoplasm becoming highly vacuolated; the microvilli were disorganised, the mitochondria were abnormal and there was an increase in the number of lysosomal bodies. The rough endoplasmic reticulum had also become dilated. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the potential for Bt maize, when used as part of an IPM programme, for control of B. fusca. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

草地贪夜蛾对农药主要抗性机制的概述

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda是一种迁飞性害虫,源自美洲,已入侵非洲和亚洲部分国家并暴发成灾,2019年初入侵我国,严重威胁着我国玉米、小麦等粮食作物。目前草地贪夜蛾的防治主要依赖于化学农药和种植转基因作物。因长期使用农药,草地贪夜蛾已经对氨基甲酸酯类、有机磷酸酯类和拟除虫菊酯类等多种杀虫剂产生了不同程度的抗性。草地贪夜蛾对不同种类杀虫剂表现的抗性机制不同,主要有代谢抗性和靶标抗性2种。本文主要从代谢抗性和靶标抗性2个方面分别综述了草地贪夜蛾对不同种类杀虫剂的抗性机制,分析草地贪夜蛾对不同杀虫剂的抗性作用方式,并对草地贪夜蛾抗药性管理和监测进行展望。     

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