Australian Journal of Entomology (2008) 47, 137-141

Yizhong Yang, Marie-Louise Johnson and Myron P. Zalucki (2008)
Possible effect of genetically modified cotton on foraging habits of early instar Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae
Australian Journal of Entomology 47 (2), 137-141
Abstract: We estimated survival and final location of neonate Helicoverpa armigera after 72 h on both genetically modified (GM) and conventional cotton at the squaring stage. On average, about 2.5% out of a total of 1620 initial larvae survived on two gene GM cotton (CS × 450, 289BGII®) compared with 39.5% out of a total of 810 initial larvae on Sicot 189, a conventional cotton variety. A disproportionate number of larvae were collected on squares of GM cotton, assuming they behave the same way on GM plants as on conventional plants but suffer higher rates of mortality. Our results imply that the behaviour of neonates on GM plants in terms of finding squares (and/or better survival on squares) may be contributing to the continued pest status of Helicoverpa on GM cotton from time to time. Experiments to determine if selection for changed behaviour in the field has or is occurring are urgently required.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Myron P. Zalucki, Marie-Louise Johnson

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
general biology - morphology - evolution
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa armigera	Cotton (Gossypium)
Bacillus thuringiensis genes in crops (entomopathogen)	Helicoverpa armigera	Cotton (Gossypium)