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Adaptive Potential of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Limits Bt Trait Durability in Brazil

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Fatoretto, Julio C. [1, 2, 3] ; Michel, Andrew P. [1, 2] ; Silva Filho, Marcio C. [4] ; Silva, Nestor [3]
Total Authors: 4
[1] Ohio State Univ, Ohio Agr Res & Dev Ctr, Dept Entomol, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, OH 44691 - USA
[2] Ohio State Univ, Ctr Appl Plant Sci, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster, OH 44691 - USA
[3] Syngenta Crop Protect, Ave Nacoes Unidas 18001, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr, Dept Genet, Ave Padua Dias 11, BR-13418900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Web of Science Citations: 4

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important corn pest in South America. Larvae feed mostly on leaves, but also ears when population densities are high. This pest has been historically controlled with insecticide applications, but many cases of resistance have limited their efficacy. Transgenic corn varieties expressing Bacillus thuringiensis proteins (Bt corn) have been a widely adopted alternative to insecticides and, in the past 8 yr, have been the primary technology for fall armyworm control in Brazil. Because transgenic varieties require 10-15 yr to be developed and fall armyworm has quickly evolved resistance to most commercially released Bt corn hybrids, strategies for Bt trait durability are paramount. Most of the Bt corn hybrids lost their ability to control fall armyworm in just 3 yr after their release in Brazil. Here we summarize what is known about Bt resistance in fall armyworm in Brazil, a phenomenon perhaps never seen before in any part of the world. Furthermore, we suggest that the interactions between management practices adopted (or not adopted, e.g., refuge compliance) to delay the evolution of resistance and the ecological and evolutionary characteristics of fall armyworm are driving the rapid evolution of resistance to Bt corn in Brazil. As newer products emerge in the market, careful consideration will be needed to maximize trait durability. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/50275-9 - Deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in the localization of organelar proteins as well as the complex plant-insect-pathogen interactions
Grantee:Márcio de Castro Silva Filho