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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Southern Insect Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #238607
Title: Bollworm (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) behavior on transgenic cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins

Author
item Jackson, Ryan
item GORE, JEFF - Mississippi State University
item Abel, Craig

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/29/2009
Publication Date: 7/12/2010
Citation: Jackson, R.E., Gore, J., Abel, C.A. 2010. Bollworm (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) behavior on transgenic cotton expressing Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins. Journal of Entomological Science. 45(3):252-261.

Interpretive Summary: Field experiments were conducted to compare bollworm larval behavior on a non-Bt cotton variety and a variety expressing two Bt proteins (WideStrike). Our results suggest that bollworm larval behavior on WideStrike cotton differs from that reported for other Bt cotton technologies (Bollgard and VipCot). Scouting protocols and insecticide treatment initiation recommendations should differ based on the particular Bt technology that is being evaluated. Currently, scouting methods for bollworm in Bt cotton focus on sampling fruiting structures, particularly blooms and bolls lower in the plant canopy. Our results suggest that the terminal portions of WideStrike cotton plants must also be considered in order to make appropriate management decisions with this technology.

Technical Abstract: Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), larvae are known to move away from Bollgard cotton terminals. Bollworm larvae are also found more frequently on flower buds (squares) and bolls of Bollgard as compared to those of non-transgenic cotton. However, data are not available for bollworm behavior on commercially available transgenic cotton varieties expressing two Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner proteins. Thus, field studies were conducted in Stoneville, MS, during 2007 and 2008 to determine whether bollworm behavior differed between cotton expressing the Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins (Widestrike, Phytogen 485) and non-Bt cotton (Phytogen 425). Two-day-old bollworm larvae were placed into terminals of either individual cotton plants or plants within 1-m plots during the flowering period. Comparison of larval movement away from cotton terminals between Widestrike and non-Bt plants did not differ at 3, 6, 24, or 48 h after infestation. In addition, larval distribution on fruiting structures did not differ between Widestrike and non-Bt cotton. These data indicated that different scouting methods for bollworm larvae should be used for the various Bt cotton technologies commercially available.