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Modeling the Impact of Cross-Pollination and Low Toxin Expression in Corn Kernels on Adaptation of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to Transgenic Insecticidal Corn
Environmental Entomology
  • J. Kang, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • David W. Onstad, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Richard L. Hellmich, Iowa State University
  • Susan E. Moser, United States Department of Agriculture
  • William D. Hutchison, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Jarrad R Prasifka, United States Department of Agriculture
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2012
DOI
10.1603/EN11133
Abstract

We used a mathematical model with processes reflecting larval mortality resulting from feeding on cross-pollinated ears or Bt ears of corn to analyze the risk of evolution of Cry-toxin resistance in Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). In the simulations, evolution of resistance was delayed equally well by both seed mixtures and blocks with the same proportion of refuge. Our results showed that Bt-pollen drift has little impact on the evolution of Bt resistance in O. nubilalis. However, low-toxin expression in ears of transgenic corn can reduce the durability of transgenic corn expressing single toxin, whereas durability of pyramided corn hybrids is not significantly reduced. The toxinsurvival rate of heterozygous larvae in Bt-corn ears expressing one or two proteins has more impact on evolution of Bt resistance in O. nubilalis than the parameters related to larval movement to Bt ears or the toxin-survival rate of the homozygous susceptible larvae in Bt ears. Bt resistance evolves slower when toxin mortality is distributed across the first two larval stadia than when only the first instars are susceptible to Bt toxins. We suggest that stakeholders examine toxin-survival rates for insect pests and take into account that instars may feed on different parts of Bt corn.

Comments

This article is from Environmental Entomology; 41 (2012); 200-211; doi: 10.1603/EN11133

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
J. Kang, David W. Onstad, Richard L. Hellmich, Susan E. Moser, et al.. "Modeling the Impact of Cross-Pollination and Low Toxin Expression in Corn Kernels on Adaptation of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to Transgenic Insecticidal Corn" Environmental Entomology Vol. 41 Iss. 1 (2012) p. 200 - 211
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/richard_hellmich/40/