Role of and as Vectors of spp. and Contribution of Corn Borer-Resistant Bt Maize to Mycotoxin Reduction.

Maize expressing Cry1Ab insecticidal toxin (Bt maize) is an effective method to control and , the most damaging corn borers of southern Europe. In this area, maize is prone to infections, which can produce mycotoxins that pose a serious risk to human and animal health, causing significant economic losses in the agrifood industry. To investigate the influence of corn borer damage on the presence of species and their mycotoxins, Bt maize ears and insect-damaged ears of non-Bt maize were collected from commercial fields in three Bt maize growing areas in Spain, and differences in contamination were assessed.

Performance of Sesamia nonagrioides on cultivated and wild host plants: Implications for Bt maize resistance management.

Background: Sesamia nonagrioides is an important maize pest in the Mediterranean basin that is effectively controlled by Cry1Ab-expressing maize (Bt maize). The continued cultivation of Bt maize in Spain exerts high selection pressure on the target pests, which could lead to the development of resistance. Provision of refuges of non-Bt plants is an essential component in the high-dose/refuge (HDR) strategy to delay resistance evolution.

Can Be Inoculated During Brief Intracellular Punctures in Phloem Cells Before the Sieve Element Continuous Salivation Phase.

The distinguished intracellular stylet puncture called phloem-pd (potential drop [pd]) produced by has been associated with the transmission of the semipersistently transmitted, phloem-limited (BYV, ). However, the production of intracellular punctures in phloem cells (phloem-pd) by other aphid species and their role in the transmission of persistently transmitted, phloem-limited viruses are still unknown. Previous studies revealed that inoculation of the persistently transmitted, phloem-limited (BYDV, ) is associated mainly with the sieve element continuous salivation phase (E1 waveform).

Farm-scale evaluation of the impact of Cry1Ab Bt maize on canopy nontarget arthropods: a 3-year study.

The cultivation of Cry1Ab-expressing genetically modified MON810 (Bt maize) has led to public concern in Europe, regarding its impact on nontarget arthropods (NTAs). We have assessed the potential effects of DKC 6451 YG (MON810) maize on canopy NTAs in a farm-scale study performed in Central Spain during 3 years. The study focused on hemipteran herbivores (leafhoppers and planthoppers) and hymenopteran parasitic wasps (mymarids) collected by yellow sticky traps, which accounted for 72% of the total number of insects studied.