Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2019) 167, 849-867

Andri Visser, Hannalene du Plessis, Annemie Erasmus and Johnnie Van den Berg (2019)
Preference of Bt-resistant and susceptible Busseola fusca moths and larvae for Bt and non-Bt maize
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 167 (10), 849-867
Abstract: The sustainability of genetically engineered insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), is threatened by the evolution of resistance by target pest species. Several Lepidoptera species have evolved resistance to Cry proteins expressed by Bt maize over the last decade, including the African maize stem borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The insect resistance management (IRM) strategy (i.e., the high-dose/refuge strategy) deployed to delay resistance evolution is grounded on certain assumptions about the biology and ecology of a pest species, for example, the interactions between the insect pest and crop plants. Should these assumptions be violated, the evolution of resistance within pest populations will be rapid. This study evaluated the assumption that B. fusca adults and larvae select and colonize maize plants at random, and do not show any preference for either Bt or non-Bt maize. Gravid female B. fusca moths of a resistant and susceptible population were subjected to two-choice oviposition preference tests using stems of Bt and non-Bt maize plants. Both the number of egg batches as well as the total number of eggs laid on each stem were recorded. The feeding preference of Bt-resistant and susceptible neonate B. fusca larvae were evaluated in choice test bioassays with whorl leaf samples of specific maize cultivars. Although no differential oviposition preference was observed for either resistant or susceptible female moths, leaf damage ratings indicated that neonate larvae were able to detect Bt toxins and that they displayed feeding avoidance behaviour on Bt maize leaf samples.
(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): Annemie Erasmus, Johnnie van den Berg

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Busseola fusca	Maize/corn (Zea mays)
Bacillus thuringiensis genes in crops (entomopathogen)	Busseola fusca	Maize/corn (Zea mays)