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Carrière Y, Degain B, Unnithan GC, Tabashnik BE. Inheritance and fitness cost of laboratory-selected resistance to Vip3Aa in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:1804-1811. [PMID: 37555261 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toad145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The polyphagous pest Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has evolved practical resistance to transgenic corn and cotton producing Cry1 and Cry2 crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in several regions of the United States. However, the Bt vegetative insecticidal protein Vip3Aa produced by Bt corn and cotton remains effective against this pest. To advance knowledge of resistance to Vip3Aa, we selected a strain of H. zea for resistance to Vip3Aa in the laboratory. After 28 generations of continuous selection, the resistance ratio was 267 for the selected strain (GA-R3) relative to a strain not selected with Vip3Aa (GA). Resistance was autosomal and almost completely recessive at a concentration killing all individuals from GA. Declines in resistance in heterogeneous strains containing a mixture of susceptible and resistant individuals reared in the absence of Vip3Aa indicate a fitness cost was associated with resistance. Previously reported cases of laboratory-selected resistance to Vip3Aa in lepidopteran pests often show partially or completely recessive resistance at high concentrations and fitness costs. Abundant refuges of non-Bt host plants can maximize the benefits of such costs for sustaining the efficacy of Vip3Aa against target pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ben Degain
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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2
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Dively GP, Kuhar TP, Taylor SV, Doughty H, Holmstrom K, Gilrein DO, Nault BA, Ingerson-Mahar J, Huseth A, Reisig D, Fleischer S, Owens D, Tilmon K, Reay-Jones F, Porter P, Smith J, Saguez J, Wells J, Congdon C, Byker H, Jensen B, DiFonzo C, Hutchison WD, Burkness E, Wright R, Crossley M, Darby H, Bilbo T, Seiter N, Krupke C, Abel C, Coates BS, McManus B, Fuller B, Bradshaw J, Peterson JA, Buntin D, Paula-Moraes S, Kesheimer K, Crow W, Gore J, Huang F, Ludwick DC, Raudenbush A, Jimenez S, Carrière Y, Elkner T, Hamby K. Extended Sentinel Monitoring of Helicoverpa zea Resistance to Cry and Vip3Aa Toxins in Bt Sweet Corn: Assessing Changes in Phenotypic and Allele Frequencies of Resistance. INSECTS 2023; 14:577. [PMID: 37504584 PMCID: PMC10380249 DOI: 10.3390/insects14070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic corn and cotton that produce Cry and Vip3Aa toxins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted in the United States to control lepidopteran pests. The sustainability of these Bt crops is threatened because the corn earworm/bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is evolving a resistance to these toxins. Using Bt sweet corn as a sentinel plant to monitor the evolution of resistance, collaborators established 146 trials in twenty-five states and five Canadian provinces during 2020-2022. The study evaluated overall changes in the phenotypic frequency of resistance (the ratio of larval densities in Bt ears relative to densities in non-Bt ears) in H. zea populations and the range of resistance allele frequencies for Cry1Ab and Vip3Aa. The results revealed a widespread resistance to Cry1Ab, Cry2Ab2, and Cry1A.105 Cry toxins, with higher numbers of larvae surviving in Bt ears than in non-Bt ears at many trial locations. Depending on assumptions about the inheritance of resistance, allele frequencies for Cry1Ab ranged from 0.465 (dominant resistance) to 0.995 (recessive resistance). Although Vip3Aa provided high control efficacy against H. zea, the results show a notable increase in ear damage and a number of surviving older larvae, particularly at southern locations. Assuming recessive resistance, the estimated resistance allele frequencies for Vip3Aa ranged from 0.115 in the Gulf states to 0.032 at more northern locations. These findings indicate that better resistance management practices are urgently needed to sustain efficacy the of corn and cotton that produce Vip3Aa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen P Dively
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Tom P Kuhar
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Sally V Taylor
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Suffolk, VA 23434, USA
| | | | - Kristian Holmstrom
- Pest Management Office, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | | | - Brian A Nault
- Department of Entomology, Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
| | - Joseph Ingerson-Mahar
- Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Rutgers University, Bridgeton, NJ 08302, USA
| | - Anders Huseth
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
| | - Dominic Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University, Plymouth, NC 27962, USA
| | - Shelby Fleischer
- Department of Entomology, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - David Owens
- Cooperative Extension, Carvel REC, University of Delaware, Georgetown, DE 19947, USA
| | - Kelley Tilmon
- Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Francis Reay-Jones
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Florence, SC 29501, USA
| | - Pat Porter
- Department of Entomology, AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Texas A&M University, Lubbock, TX 79401, USA
| | - Jocelyn Smith
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Julien Saguez
- CEROM, 740 Chemin Trudeau, Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, QC J3G 0E2, Canada
| | - Jason Wells
- New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Sussex, NB E4E 5L8, Canada
| | - Caitlin Congdon
- Perennia Food and Agriculture, Kentville, NS B4N 1J5, Canada
| | - Holly Byker
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Winchester, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Bryan Jensen
- Arlington Agricultural Research Station, University of Wisconsin, WI 53706, USA
| | - Chris DiFonzo
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Eric Burkness
- Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55455, USA
| | - Robert Wright
- Department of Entomology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Michael Crossley
- Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Heather Darby
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Tom Bilbo
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Charleston, SC 29414, USA
| | - Nicholas Seiter
- Illinois Extension, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61820, USA
| | - Christian Krupke
- Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
| | - Craig Abel
- USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Brad S Coates
- USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey Bradshaw
- Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, USA
| | - Julie A Peterson
- West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska, North Platte, NE 69101, USA
| | - David Buntin
- Griffin Campus, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA
| | | | - Katelyn Kesheimer
- Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Whitney Crow
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Delta Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Jeffrey Gore
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Delta Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Stoneville, MS 39762, USA
| | - Fangneng Huang
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Dalton C Ludwick
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Corpus Christi, TX 78404, USA
| | - Amy Raudenbush
- Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - Sebastian Jimenez
- PEI Department of Agriculture and Land, Charlotte, PE C1A 7N8, Canada
| | - Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Timothy Elkner
- Southeast Research and Extension Center, Landisville, PA 17538, USA
| | - Kelly Hamby
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Santiago-González JC, Kerns DL, Head GP, Yang F. A Modified F2 Screen for Estimating Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab Resistance Allele Frequencies in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 116:289-296. [PMID: 36610074 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toac181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Evaluating the frequency of resistance alleles is important for resistance management and sustainable use of transgenic crops that produce insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major crop pest in the United States that has evolved practical resistance to the crystalline (Cry) proteins in Bt corn and cotton. The standard F2 screen for estimating resistance allele frequency does not work well for H. zea because successful single-pair matings are rare. In this study, we developed and implemented a modified F2 screen for H. zea that generates F1 progeny by crossing three laboratory susceptible female moths with one feral male moth instead of single-pair crosses. During 2019-2020, we used this modified method to establish 192 F2 families from 623 matings between susceptible females and feral males from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. From each F2 family, we screened 128 neonates against discriminating concentrations of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in diet overlay bioassays. Based on these discriminating concentration bioassays, families were considered positive for resistance if at least five larvae survived to second instar, including at least one to third instar. The percentage of positive families was 92.7% for Cry1Ac and 38.5% for Cry2Ab, which yields an estimated resistance allele frequency (with 95% confidence interval) of 0.722 (0.688-0.764) for Cry1Ac and 0.217 (0.179-0.261) for Cry2Ab. The modified F2 screen developed and implemented here may be useful for future resistance monitoring studies of H. zea and other pests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David L Kerns
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Fei Yang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Yang X, Zhao S, Liu B, Gao Y, Hu C, Li W, Yang Y, Li G, Wang L, Yang X, Yuan H, Liu J, Liu D, Shen X, Wyckhuys KAG, Lu Y, Wu K. Bt maize can provide non-chemical pest control and enhance food safety in China. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:391-404. [PMID: 36345605 PMCID: PMC9884019 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
China is the world's second-largest maize producer and consumer. In recent years, the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) has adversely affected maize productivity and compromised food security. To mitigate pest-inflicted food shortages, China's Government issued biosafety certificates for two genetically modified (GM) Bt maize hybrids, Bt-Cry1Ab DBN9936 and Bt-Cry1Ab/Cry2Aj Ruifeng 125, in 2019. Here, we quantitatively assess the impact of both Bt maize hybrids on pest feeding damage, crop yield and food safety throughout China's maize belt. Without a need to resort to synthetic insecticides, Bt maize could mitigate lepidopteran pest pressure by 61.9-97.3%, avoid yield loss by 16.4-21.3% (range -11.9-99.2%) and lower mycotoxin contamination by 85.5-95.5% as compared to the prevailing non-Bt hybrids. Yield loss avoidance varied considerably between experimental sites and years, as mediated by on-site infestation pressure and pest identity. For either seed mixtures or block refuge arrangements, pest pressure was kept below established thresholds at 90% Bt maize coverage in Yunnan (where S. frugiperda was the dominant species) and 70% Bt maize coverage in other sites dominated by Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Drawing on experiences from other crop/pest systems, Bt maize in se can provide area-wide pest management and thus, contribute to a progressive phase-down of chemical pesticide use. Hence, when consciously paired with agroecological and biodiversity-based measures, GM insecticidal crops can ensure food and nutrition security, contribute to the sustainable intensification of China's agriculture and reduce food systems' environmental footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianming Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Shengyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yu Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chaoxing Hu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of the Mountainous RegionInstitute of Entomology, Guizhou UniversityGuiyangChina
| | - Wenjing Li
- Institute of Plant Protection and Soil FertilityHubei Academy of Agricultural SciencesWuhanChina
| | - Yizhong Yang
- College of Horticulture and Plant ProtectionYangzhou UniversityYangzhouJiangsu ProvinceChina
| | - Guoping Li
- Institute of Plant ProtectionHenan Academy of Agricultural SciencesZhengzhouChina
| | - Lili Wang
- Yantai Academy of Agricultural SciencesYantaiChina
| | - Xueqing Yang
- College of Plant ProtectionShenyang Agricultural UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Haibin Yuan
- College of Plant ProtectionJilin Agricultural UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Jian Liu
- College of AgricultureNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Dazhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Agricultural Information InstituteChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xiujing Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kris A. G. Wyckhuys
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
- Fujian Agriculture and Forestry UniversityFuzhouChina
- University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Chrysalis ConsultingHanoiVietnam
| | - Yanhui Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kongming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect PestsInstitute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
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5
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Yang F, Kennedy H, Santiago-González JC, Kerns DL. Effects of cross-pollination among non-Bt and pyramided Bt corn expressing cry proteins in seed mixtures on resistance development of dual-gene resistant Helicoverpa zea. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:3260-3265. [PMID: 35474413 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seed mixture strategy can guarantee the compliance of planting non-Bt crops to host the susceptible insects for resistance management. However, pollen movement between Bt and non-Bt corn in the mixed plantings could reduce the efficacy of this strategy for ear-feeding insects. Few studies have evaluated the effects of cross-pollination among non-Bt and pyramided Bt corn in seed mixtures on the resistance development of insects possessing multiple resistances. Here, we provided the first study to investigate whether cross-pollination in mixed plantings of pyramided Bt corn producing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 would increase the dominance of resistance of dual-gene resistant populations of Helicoverpa zea, a target of pyramided Bt corn and cotton in the USA. RESULTS We compared the survival and development of susceptible, dual-gene resistant (resistance to both Cry1 and Cry2 proteins) and heterozygous genotypes of H. zea in the laboratory on non-Bt and pyramided Bt corn ears collected from mixed plantings and structured plantings in the field. We found higher fitness for F1 heterozygous insects than for the susceptible insects of H. zea on both pyramided Bt corn and non-Bt corn in the mixed plantings. CONCLUSION These results suggest that cross-pollination in mixed plantings will significantly increase the dominance of resistance by supporting survival of heterozygous insects for dual-gene resistant populations of H. zea, and therefore accelerate evolution of resistance to pyramided Bt crops. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Yang
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2475, USA
| | - Haley Kennedy
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2475, USA
| | | | - David L Kerns
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 77843-2475, USA
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6
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Benowitz KM, Allan CW, Degain BA, Li X, Fabrick JA, Tabashnik BE, Carrière Y, Matzkin LM. Novel genetic basis of resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac in Helicoverpa zea. Genetics 2022; 221:6540856. [PMID: 35234875 PMCID: PMC9071530 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Crops genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have advanced pest management, but their benefits are diminished when pests evolve resistance. Elucidating the genetic basis of pest resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins can improve resistance monitoring, resistance management, and the design of new insecticides. Here, we investigated the genetic basis of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac in the lepidopteran Helicoverpa zea, one of the most damaging crop pests in the United States. To facilitate this research, we built the first chromosome-level genome assembly for this species, which has 31 chromosomes containing 375 Mb and 15,482 predicted proteins. Using a genome-wide association study, fine-scale mapping, and RNA-seq, we identified a 250-kb quantitative trait locus on chromosome 13 that was strongly associated with resistance in a strain of Helicoverpa zea that had been selected for resistance in the field and lab. The mutation in this quantitative trait locus contributed to but was not sufficient for resistance, which implies alleles in more than one gene contributed to resistance. This quantitative trait locus contains no genes with a previously reported role in resistance or susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins. However, in resistant insects, this quantitative trait locus has a premature stop codon in a kinesin gene, which is a primary candidate as a mutation contributing to resistance. We found no changes in gene sequence or expression consistently associated with resistance for 11 genes previously implicated in lepidopteran resistance to Cry1Ac. Thus, the results reveal a novel and polygenic basis of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Benowitz
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA,Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37040, USA,Corresponding author: Department of Biology, Austin Peay State University, Sundquist Science Center, 681 Summer St., Clarksville, TN 37040, USA.
| | - Carson W Allan
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Benjamin A Degain
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Xianchun Li
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Fabrick
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center, Maricopa, AZ 85138, USA
| | - Bruce E Tabashnik
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Luciano M Matzkin
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA,Bio5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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7
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Reisig DD, DiFonzo C, Dively G, Farhan Y, Gore J, Smith J. Best Management Practices to Delay the Evolution of Bt Resistance in Lepidopteran Pests Without High Susceptibility to Bt Toxins in North America. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 115:10-25. [PMID: 34922393 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Canadian and United States (US) insect resistance management (IRM) programs for lepidopteran pests in Bacillus thuriengiensis (Bt)-expressing crops are optimally designed for Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner in corn (Zea mays L.) and Chloridea virescens Fabricius in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Both Bt corn and cotton express a high dose for these pests; however, there are many other target pests for which Bt crops do not express high doses (commonly referred to as nonhigh dose pests). Two important lepidopteran nonhigh dose (low susceptibility) pests are Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Striacosta albicosta Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We highlight both pests as cautionary examples of exposure to nonhigh dose levels of Bt toxins when the IRM plan was not followed. Moreover, IRM practices to delay Bt resistance that are designed for these two ecologically challenging and important pests should apply to species that are more susceptible to Bt toxins. The purpose of this article is to propose five best management practices to delay the evolution of Bt resistance in lepidopteran pests with low susceptibility to Bt toxins in Canada and the US: 1) better understand resistance potential before commercialization, 2) strengthen IRM based on regional pest pressure by restricting Bt usage where it is of little benefit, 3) require and incentivize planting of structured corn refuge everywhere for single toxin cultivars and in the southern US for pyramids, 4) integrate field and laboratory resistance monitoring programs, and 5) effectively use unexpected injury thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic D Reisig
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center, 207 Research Station Road, Plymouth, NC, 27962, USA
| | - Chris DiFonzo
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Galen Dively
- Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Yasmine Farhan
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, 120 Main Street East, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada
| | - Jeff Gore
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 197, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA
| | - Jocelyn Smith
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, 120 Main Street East, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada
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8
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Dorman SJ, Kudenov MW, Lytle AJ, Griffith EH, Huseth AS. Computer vision for detecting field-evolved lepidopteran resistance to Bt maize. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:5236-5245. [PMID: 34310008 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistance evolution of lepidopteran pests to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins produced in maize and cotton is a significant issue worldwide. Effective toxin stewardship requires reliable detection of field-evolved resistance to enable the implementation of mitigation strategies. Currently, visual estimates of maize injury are used to document changing susceptibility. In this study, we evaluated an existing maize injury monitoring protocol used to estimate Bt resistance levels in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). RESULTS We detected high interobserver variability across multiple injury metrics, suggesting that the precision and accuracy of maize injury detection could be improved. To do this, we developed a computer vision-based algorithm to measure H. zea injury. Algorithm estimates were more accurate and precise than a sample of human observers. Moreover, observer estimates tended to overpredict H. zea injury, which may increase the false-positive rate, leading to prophylactic insecticide application and unnecessary regulatory action. CONCLUSIONS Automated detection and tracking of lepidopteran resistance evolution to Bt toxins are critical for genetically engineered crop stewardship to prevent the use of additional insecticides to combat resistant pests. Advantages of this computerized screening are: (i) standardized Bt injury metrics in space and time, (ii) preservation of digital data for cross-referencing when thresholds are reached, and (iii) the ability to increase sample sizes significantly. This technological solution represents a significant step toward improving confidence in resistance monitoring efforts among researchers, regulators and the agricultural biotechnology industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth J Dorman
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Michael W Kudenov
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Amanda J Lytle
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Emily H Griffith
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Anders S Huseth
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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9
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Van den Berg J, Prasanna BM, Midega CAO, Ronald PC, Carrière Y, Tabashnik BE. Managing Fall Armyworm in Africa: Can Bt Maize Sustainably Improve Control? JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 114:1934-1949. [PMID: 34505143 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toab161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The recent invasion of Africa by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, a lepidopteran pest of maize and other crops, has heightened concerns about food security for millions of smallholder farmers. Maize genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a potentially useful tool for controlling fall armyworm and other lepidopteran pests of maize in Africa. In the Americas, however, fall armyworm rapidly evolved practical resistance to maize producing one Bt toxin (Cry1Ab or Cry1Fa). Also, aside from South Africa, Bt maize has not been approved for cultivation in Africa, where stakeholders in each nation will make decisions about its deployment. In the context of Africa, we address maize production and use; fall armyworm distribution, host range, and impact; fall armyworm control tactics other than Bt maize; and strategies to make Bt maize more sustainable and accessible to smallholders. We recommend mandated refuges of non-Bt maize or other non-Bt host plants of at least 50% of total maize hectares for single-toxin Bt maize and 20% for Bt maize producing two or more distinct toxins that are each highly effective against fall armyworm. The smallholder practices of planting more than one maize cultivar and intercropping maize with other fall armyworm host plants could facilitate compliance. We also propose creating and providing smallholder farmers access to Bt maize that produces four distinct Bt toxins encoded by linked genes in a single transgene cassette. Using this novel Bt maize as one component of integrated pest management could sustainably improve control of lepidopteran pests including fall armyworm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnnie Van den Berg
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, IPM Program, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Boddupalli M Prasanna
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF Campus, UN Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, 00601, Kenya
| | - Charles A O Midega
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, IPM Program, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- Poverty and Health Integrated Solutions, Kisumu, 40141, Kenya
| | - Pamela C Ronald
- Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Bruce E Tabashnik
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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Carrière Y, Degain BA, Tabashnik BE. Effects of gene flow between Bt and non-Bt plants in a seed mixture of Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab corn on performance of corn earworm in Arizona. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2021; 77:2106-2113. [PMID: 33350567 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using natural populations of Helicoverpa zea from Arizona, we tested the hypotheses that gene flow between Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plants and non-Bt plants in a seed mixture of 10% non-Bt corn and 90% Bt corn producing Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab reduces larval performance on ears from non-Bt plants, or increases performance on ears from Bt plants. RESULTS Gene flow was not detected in blocks of non-Bt or Bt corn but was extensive in seed mixtures. Analyses of larval weight and abundance over a period of 3 to 4 weeks did not indicate consistent effects of gene flow on development rate and survival. However for non-Bt plants, the ear area damaged and percentage of ears with exit holes were significantly lower in the seed mixtures than blocks. By contrast, the percentage of ears with exit holes and ear damage did not differ significantly between the seed mixtures and blocks for Bt plants. Nearly 100% of the ears were damaged and the damaged area was substantial, showing that H. zea is a major ear-feeding pest in Arizona. Relative to non-Bt corn, the pyramided Bt corn did not significantly reduce the percentage of damaged ears and only reduced the ear area damaged by 21 to 39%, indicating that H. zea may have evolved resistance to Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab, or both. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that gene flow between Bt and non-Bt plants in seed mixtures reduced effective refuge size, and that block refuges may be needed to manage the evolution of H. zea resistance to Bt corn in Arizona. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Carrière
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ben A Degain
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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