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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #117947
Title: POTENTIAL OF AGROTIS IPSILON NUCLEOPOLYHEDROVIRUS FOR SUPPRESSION OF THE BLACK CUTWORM (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) AND EFFECT OF AN OPTICAL BRIGHTENER ON VIRUS EFFICACY

Author
item BOUGHTON, ANTHONY - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item LEWIS, LESLIE
item BONNING, BRYONY - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, is an occasional pest of seedling corn. Larvae cut plants at the soil surface and if the infestation is extensive replanting of the crop is necessary. Currently, rescue treatments with a chemical insecticide is the primary control tactic. Trials both in the greenhouse and the field demonstrate that liquid and bran-bait formulations sof an insect virus specific for the black cutworm significantly reduced damage to seedling corn compared to the untreated check. The addition of a viral enhancing agent, MR2, did not enhance the efficacy of the virus. Results of this study provides corn growers with a biological alternative to manage the black cutworm.

Technical Abstract: Studies were performed in the laboratory, greenhouse and field to assess the potential of Agrotis ipsilon multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgipMNPV) and a viral enhancing agent, MR2, for suppression of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel). In laboratory droplet feeding bioassays, AgipMNPV was shown to be highly active against third-instar A. ipsilon. The optical brightener MR2 significantly reduced LD50 estimates by approximately 180- fold, but had no direct effect on survival time estimates. In greenhouse trials, spray and bait formulations of AgipMNPV significantly reduced feeding damage to corn seedlings caused by third-instar A. ipsilon. In two sets of replicated field trials, bait formulations of AgipMNPV significantly reduced feeding damage to corn seedlings by third-instar A. ipsilon. However, there were no beneficial effects attributable to the inclusions of MR2 in AgipMNPV formulations under greenhouse or field conditions. It seems likely that in an appropriately designed pest management program AgipMNPV could be used to suppress field populations of early and mid-instar A. ipsilon.