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Science Inventory
Resistance in Lepidopteran Pests to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Plant Incorporated Protectants in the United States
Description:
Lepidopteran resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) traits of corn and cotton were published by academic scientists for the continental U.S. in 2014 for the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), in 2016 for the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), and in 2017 for the western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta). Likewise, industry reported resistance for the southwestern corn borer (Diatraea grandiosella) in their resistance monitoring reports to the U.S. EPA in 2016. The Agency identified several risk factors that may have had the greatest impact on these resistance developments. Some of these are: (1) Lack of high dose traits; (2) use of single modes of action possible year-after-year; (3) corn seed blends in the southern U.S.; (4) poor refuge compliance for Bt corn in southern states; (5) continuous selection with same traits expressed in Bt corn and Bt cotton in a given year; (6) methodological approaches with monitoring for resistant field populations; and (7) challenges with identifying resistance using diet bioassays for non-high-dose pests. The Agency will discuss its analysis of identified risk factors underlying lepidopteran resistance development in the U.S. as well as associated scientific uncertainties. Furthermore, the Agency will discuss its analysis of methodological issues with collecting insects from the field, rearing and testing populations for resistance, and the feasibility of mitigating field resistance for Lepidopteran pests.
Contact: Andy Dupont (202) 343-9092 dupont.andy@epa.gov
Office: OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION
Full Record ID: 342052
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