Incipient resistance of the African maize stemborer, Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Cry2Ab2 maize in South Africa.

Background: Resistance of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Cry1Ab was documented in 2006, 7 years after the first cultivation of MON 810 in South Africa. This was mitigated by introducing a second-generation Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize (MON 89034), which contains the Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 proteins.

Plant Abandonment by (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae: Do Bt Toxins Have an Effect?

(Fuller; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of maize in Africa and can be effectively controlled by Bt maize. However, the sustainability of this technology is threatened by resistance evolution, which necessitates the implementation of the high-dose/refuge insect resistance management (IRM) strategy. Despite the success of this IRM strategy, it is based on several assumptions about insect-hostplant interactions that are not always valid for different pest species.

Larval Migration Behaviour of (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Bt and Non-Bt Maize under Semi-Field and Field Conditions.

(Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a destructive pest of maize throughout the African continent. Bt maize is an effective control measure for this pest, however, selection pressure for resistance evolution is high. This necessitates the implementation of insect resistance management (IRM) strategies such as the high-dose/refuge strategy.

Introgression of a cry1Ab transgene into open pollinated maize and its effect on Cry protein concentration and target pest survival.

In Africa, the target pests of genetically modified Bt maize are lepidopteran stem borers, notably Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Gene flow between Bt maize hybrids and open pollinated varieties (OPVs) that do not contain the Bt trait is highly likely in areas where both types of maize are cultivated. Consequently, introgression of the cry1Ab transgene into local OPVs will result in unknown patterns of Cry1Ab protein expression in plants during follow-up seasons when recycled seed of OPVs is planted.

Efficacy of Bt Maize for Control of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest species that threatens maize production by small holder farmers in Africa.

Movement and survival of Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae within maize plantings with different ratios of non-Bt and Bt seed.

Background: Products of plant biotechnology, for example genetically modified Bt maize, provide useful tools for pest management. The benefits provided by insect-resistant plants are, however, threatened by the evolution of resistance by target pest species. The high-dose/refuge insect resistance management strategy (IRM) as well as seed mixtures are globally used as IRM strategies.