Differences in fitness traits between E and Z pheromone races of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), on a range of host plants

The European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), is considered a major economic pest of corn in the United States and Canada. ECBs have two distinct pheromone races (E and Z), which produce different ratios of two isomers in their pheromone blend. The pheromone races also can exhibit variation in important life-history traits, such as emergence behavior and host-plant selection. The first half of my research focuses on identifying pheromone races of ECB larvae with minimal mortality.  This is pivotal for setting up a series of single pair matings for the fitness aspect of my study. To do this, I am capturing live ECB larvae in the field and developing a PCR technique to distinguish between pheromone races. My method focuses on developing a protocol using four different types of insect sample material including the shed exuvium with head capsule, a proleg or true leg, the pupal case after eclosion, and frass waste material. Each type of sample material is tested and ranked based on their ability to give consistent identification of pheromone races and overall mortality. Once established the new PCR protocol will be used to identify all field collected ECB larvae to pheromone race for future use in fitness trials. The results from this research provide a technique for the use of wild caught populations to be identified without having to sacrifice the insect.