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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184108
Title: MORTALITIES OF PINK BOLLWORM (PBW) ADULT MOTHS FEEDING ON SIMULATED NECTAR CONTAINING BT CRY1AC TOXIC PROTEIN, 2004

Author
item Henneberry, Thomas
item Jech, Lynn

Submitted to: Arthropod Management Tests
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2005
Publication Date: 11/7/2005
Citation: Henneberry, T.J., Jech, L.J. 2005. Mortalities of pink bollworm (pbw) adult moths feeding on simulated nectar containing bt cry1ac toxic protein, 2004. Arthropod Management Tests Vol 30, L7:1-3.

Interpretive Summary: PBW moths have been reported to live longer and females produce more viable eggs when provided a source of adult food (sugar or honey solutions). Moths have been assumed to feed on cotton plant nectaries and indeed larval infestations in cotton bolls are drastically reduced in nectariless cotton fields. Cottons containing the gene from Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (Berliner) controlling the production of insect toxic protein (Cry1Ac) (Bt cottons) have been grown commercially in Arizona since 1996. The results have been outstanding. PBW larval infestations in green cotton bolls have been < 0.5% annually.

Technical Abstract: PBW moths have been reported to live longer and females produce more viable eggs when provided a source of adult food (sugar or honey solutions). Moths have been assumed to feed on cotton plant nectaries and indeed larval infestations in cotton bolls are drastically reduced in nectariless cotton fields. Cottons containing the gene from Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kurstaki (Berliner) controlling the production of insect toxic protein (Cry1Ac) (Bt cottons) have been grown commercially in Arizona since 1996. The results have been outstanding. PBW larval infestations in green cotton bolls have been < 0.5% annually.