Field experiments were conducted to test if a)there is density-dependent growth and survival of fall armyworm, which could affect rates of adaptation to Bt corn; b)the effects of rapid corn maturation have a greater impact on larval mortality in Bt than non-Bt corn, and c)differential larval utilization and survival in tillers versus main whorls could impact rates of adaptation to Bt toxins. Two larval densities and three planting dates were studied. Results indicated that mortality of fall armyworm in Bt sweet corn was not density-dependent. Early entry of the corn plant into reproductive stage limited larval survival. Tillers in Bt plants harbored a proportion of larvae late in the season. Insect adaptation to Bt toxins may be affected by interactions among planting date and presence of tillers in sweet corn.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Noctuidae Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm)
Keywords: fall armyworm, transgenic corn
Back to Display Presentations, Subsection Cd. Behavior and Ecology
Back to Posters
Back to The 2002 ESA Annual Meeting and Exhibition