Location: Southern Insect Management Research Unit
Title: Challenges to monitoring Bt resistance in Helicoverpa zea Authors
Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2014
Publication Date: March 1, 2014
Citation: Little, N., Luttrell, R.G., Perera, O.P. 2014. Challenges to monitoring Bt resistance in Helicoverpa zea. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences. January 6-8, 2014 New Orleans, LA p.699. Technical Abstract: Transgenic crops that produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely grown in many countries for the control of lepidopteran pests. The evolution of resistance in these pests to transgenic crops producing Bt toxins threatens the prolonged success of this important technology. As a result, multiple strategies have been employed to manage the development of resistance of these insects to transgenic crops (eg. moderate dose, high dose, the expression of multiple Bt toxins, tissue specific expression, and refuge strategies). The success or failure of these strategies can only be determined by our ability to monitor the development of resistance in these insects to Bt toxins. Therefore, the development and deployment of new and existing insect resistance management strategies that are based on sound evolutionary theories, supported by laboratory and field research, and considerate of all available control technologies should be considered as part of any overall integrated pest management approach.