Project Number: 3625-22000-016-27
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 21, 2008
End Date: Aug 31, 2010

Objective:
The overall purpose of this project is to assess the effects of resistance alleles on the frequency, timing, and survival of interplant movement by European corn borer larvae on commercialized and pending (pyramided) Bt corn. The objective of this agreement is to incorporate genotype-specific parameters and other improvements into a model of European corn borer resistance evolution to estimate risks for a variety of insect resistance management (IRM) strategies.

Approach:
Colonies of Cry1-resistant European corn borers (Ostrinia nubilalis) will be used to measure the impact of alleles conferring resistance to Bt on survival, development, and behavior. Laboratory and semi-field experiments will examine how resistance alleles impact the frequency, timing, and survival of interplant movement by O. nubilalis larvae on current and pending (pyramided) Bt hybrids. The effects of resistance alleles on induction of diapause, winter survival, and timing of adult emergence by overwintering generations also will be assessed. Because these genotype-specific estimates are key to estimating the risks of resistance evolution, new parameters and other improvements will be incorporated into a predictive model. The model will evaluate (a) IRM plans with single- or multiple-toxin Bt corn, (b) refuges planted in blocks, strips, or seed mixtures, and (c) economic effects on Bt corn growers.