Supplemental control of lepidopterous pests on Bt transgenic sweet corn with biologically-based spray treatments.
Biologically-based spray treatments, including nucleopolyhedroviruses, neem, and spinosad, were evaluated as supplemental controls for the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on transgenic sweet corn, Zea mays (L.) (Poales: Poaceae), expressing a Cry1Ab toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt). Overall, transgenic corn supported lower densities of both pests than did nontransgenic corn. Control of the fall armyworm was improved in both whorl-stage and tassel-stage corn by the use of either a nucleopolyhedrovirus or neem, but the greatest improvement was seen with spinosad. Only spinosad consistently reduced damage to ears, which was caused by both pest species. In general, efficacy of the spray materials did not differ greatly between transgenic and nontransgenic corn.
Farrar
Robert R
RR
USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. robert.farrar@ars.usda.gov
Shepard
B Merle
BM
Shapiro
Martin
M
Hassell
Richard L
RL
Schaffer
Mark L
ML
Smith
Chad M
CM
D000818:Animals; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007306:Insecticides; D007814:Larva; D009036:Moths; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000469:parasitology*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology*
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D007306:Insecticides; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis