Damage and inter-plant compensation for southwestern corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) injury

Studies were done in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate how southwestern corn borer (SWCB)(Diatraea grandiosella Dyar) infestation at different levels of injury occurring at different timings of infestation in corn (Zea mays L.) affected yield in a “refuge-in-a-bag” simulation.  An emerging concept in insect refuge management in the mid-south is “refuge-in-a-bag”.  This involves seed corn packaged as a blend of a certain percentage of non-Bt (refuge) seed with seed of a multiple stacked Bt corn hybrid.  The objectives of this research were to evaluate: (1) if neighboring plants compensate for injury caused by SWCB and (2) if so, if the timing and intensity of injury affect the level of compensation. Tests were done by manually infesting different levels of SWCB larvae in non-Bt plants interspersed within a VT3Pro corn stand at different corn growth stages.