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Natural Enemies and Resistance Management in Transgenic Bt Corn

EPA Grant Number: U915785
Title: Natural Enemies and Resistance Management in Transgenic Bt Corn
Investigators: White, Jennifer A.
Institution: University of Minnesota
EPA Project Officer: McClure, Karen
Project Period: August 1, 2000 through August 1, 2003
Project Amount: $84,874
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2000)
Research Category: Academic Fellowships , Fellowship - Ecology and Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Description:

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to determine the effect of a specialist natural enemy, Macrocentrus grandii (M. grandii) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), on the spread of resistance in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), to transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn. It will be determined if either the spatial distribution or developmental rate of the corn borer influences its susceptibility to parasitism. This information will be used to model resistance evolution in the European corn borer.

Approach:

To explore the effect of corn borer spatial distribution on susceptibility to parasitism, different sized outbreaks of resistance will be simulated by planting patches of non-Bt corn in Bt cornfields and loading the nontoxic plants with European corn borers. M. grandii will be released, and parasitism rates will be compared in small versus large "outbreak" patches. To test whether slow growth of resistant individuals might increase susceptibility to parasitism, corn borers will be selected within the laboratory colony for slow or fast growth, and susceptibility to parasitism in the field will be evaluated as described above. Data will be incorporated from both studies into a model of resistance development in the European corn borer.

Expected Results:

Characterization of the effect M. grandii has on the European corn borer will allow refinement of ecological models and resistance management strategies.

Supplemental Keywords:

agriculture, Bacillus thuringiensis, central, density dependence, developmental rate, ecology, European corn borer, genetically modified organisms, Macrocentrus grandii, M. grandii, Midwest, Minnesota, MN, resistance management, terrestrial, transgenic. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Midwest, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Futures, wildlife, Ecological Indicators, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Exp. Research/future, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecosystem Protection, Regional/Scaling, Monitoring/Modeling, Agricultural Engineering, Ecology and Ecosystems, Agronomy, Genetics, State, agriculture ecosystems, macrocentrus grandii, Bacillus thuringiensis, MN, parasitism, natural enemies, European corn borer (Ostrina nubilalis), resistance management, agriculture, transgenic plants, ecology, spatial distribution, density dependence, modeling, terrestrial, genetically engineered plants, ecological models, genetically engineered microorganisms, Minnesota

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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