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Evidence of Resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 Corn by Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Root Injury in the Field and Larval Survival in Plant-Based Bioassays
Journal of Economic Entomology
  • Aaron J. Gassmann, Iowa State University
  • Ram B. Shrestha, Iowa State University
  • Siva R. K. Jakka, Iowa State University
  • Mike W. Dunbar, Iowa State University
  • Eric H. Clifton, Iowa State University
  • Aubrey R. Paolino, Iowa State University
  • David A. Ingber, Iowa State University
  • B. Wade French, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Kenneth E. Masloski, Iowa State University
  • John W. Dounda, Iowa State University
  • Coy R. St. Clair, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
8-1-2016
DOI
10.1093/jee/tow110
Abstract

Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a serious pest of corn in the United States, and recent management of western corn rootworm has included planting of Bt corn. Beginning in 2009, western corn rootworm populations with resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn and mCry3A corn were found in Iowa and elsewhere. To date, western corn rootworm populations have remained susceptible to corn producing Bt toxin Cry34/35Ab1. In this study, we used single-plant bioassays to test field populations of western corn rootworm for resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn, Cry3Bb1 corn, and mCry3A corn. Bioassays included nine rootworm populations collected from fields where severe injury to Bt corn had been observed and six control populations that had never been exposed to Bt corn. We found incomplete resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn among field populations collected from fields where severe injury to corn producing Cry34/35Ab1, either singly or as a pyramid, had been observed. Additionally, resistance to Cry3Bb1 corn and mCry3A corn was found among the majority of populations tested. These first cases of resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn, and the presence of resistance to multiple Bt toxins by western corn rootworm, highlight the potential vulnerability of Bt corn to the evolution of resistance by western corn rootworm. The use of more diversified management practices, in addition to insect resistance management, likely will be essential to sustain the viability of Bt corn for management of western corn rootworm.

Comments

This article is published as Gassmann, Aaron J., Ram B. Shrestha, Siva RK Jakka, Mike W. Dunbar, Eric H. Clifton, Aubrey R. Paolino, David A. Ingber et al. "Evidence of resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Root injury in the field and larval survival in plant-based bioassays." Journal of economic entomology 109, no. 4 (2016): 1872-1880. doi: 10.1093/jee/tow110. Posted with permission.

Rights
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Aaron J. Gassmann, Ram B. Shrestha, Siva R. K. Jakka, Mike W. Dunbar, et al.. "Evidence of Resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 Corn by Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Root Injury in the Field and Larval Survival in Plant-Based Bioassays" Journal of Economic Entomology Vol. 109 Iss. 4 (2016) p. 1872 - 1880
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/aaron_gassmann/70/