棉花抗虫工程菌对棉铃虫的离体及活体生物测定

棉花抗虫工程菌是以能在棉株体内定殖的优势内生细菌Bacillus cereus (Bc9102)为宿主菌,将Bt kurstaki的δ-内毒素基因cryIA©整合到其染色体上形成的内生工程菌。以棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera为供试昆虫的离体生测结果表明：在同一剂量水平上,HE-1、HE-2、ME14-2、ME14-3、MK14-1等工程菌株对棉铃虫幼虫的毒力高于或等于Bt野生菌株HD-73,浓度最高时这几个工程菌处理的棉铃虫死亡率分别为96.7%、83.3%、93.3%、83.3%、80.0%,而HD-73为80.0%,死亡率与浓度呈正相关。在用上述工程菌接种棉花的活体生测中,注射处理和喷雾处理法杀虫效果均优于浸种处理法。以HE-1为例,注射、喷雾、浸种处理4周后棉铃虫校正死亡率分别达到90.0%、76.0%和23.3%。工程菌对棉铃虫的生长发育也有抑制作用。     

高毒力昆虫病原线虫共生细菌菌株的筛选及其杀虫活性的检测

昆虫病原线虫共生细菌是寄生在昆虫病原线虫肠道的一种细菌,二者互惠共生。实验采用6个不同种的菌株为筛选材料。共生细菌菌株的培养液经85%饱和度的(NH₄)_2SO4盐析,浓缩冻干得到杀虫粗提物。以粗提物注射大蜡螟Galleria mellonella、饲喂玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis和棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera,发现Xenorhabdus nematophilus D43、X.bovienii A54、Photorhabdus luminescens HZL和CB-8等4个菌株发酵液的粗提物对昆虫有高的血腔毒性,菌株A54对昆虫又有高的胃毒效果。由此确立A54为高毒力的菌株,其杀虫活性表现为：注射大蜡螟48 h的死亡率为80%,96 h为93.3%;粗提物饲喂玉米螟,72 h死亡率为53.3%,120 h死亡率为100%;饲喂棉铃虫,72 h死亡率为80.1%,120 h死亡率为90%。杀虫粗提物经DEAE-52柱层析分离,得到一个穿透峰和三个盐的梯度洗脱峰,其中穿透峰对昆虫有很好的胃毒效果,但没有血腔毒性;三个盐峰均有很高的血腔毒性,但没有胃毒作用。穿透峰样品饲喂2龄、3龄棉铃虫也有很好的杀虫活性,96 h 2龄棉铃虫的死亡率为65%,3龄棉铃虫的死亡率为30%;处理96 h的棉铃虫同处理前相比体重下降,未死棉铃虫体重明显低于对照。     

金龟子绿僵菌MaYTTR-04菌株对松墨天牛成虫的致病力

松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus Hope是重大森林植物检疫性病害——松材线虫病的主要媒介昆虫。采用跗节接种法测定金龟子绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae MaYTTR-04菌株对松墨天牛成虫的致病力。结果表明： 在恒温条件下,松墨天牛第6天开始死亡,第18天～21天为死亡高峰期,每头成虫接种孢子量为2.3×10⁶±0.2×10⁶时成虫的死亡率第18天达85%,第21天达95%; 时间效应指标值LT₅₀为14.7天。室内自然变温条件下,松墨天牛第3天出现死亡,第15天～21天为死亡高峰期,每头成虫接种孢子量为2.3×10.6±0.2×10⁶时的死亡率在第15天达85%,第21天达100%;时间效应指标值LT₅₀为12.9天。林间套笼21天后,菌液处理的成虫平均死亡率为60%,僵虫率为48.9%;而通过无纺布菌条的成虫死亡率为86.7%,僵虫率为75.6%。表明MaYTTR-04菌株对松墨天牛成虫有强的致病力,且在较高变温环境温度下致病力更强。结果说明该菌株可作为生产性菌株应用于林间防治松墨天牛。     

孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛幼虫的致病力的影响

【目的】球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana是一种被广泛用于害虫生物防治的生防菌。本研究探讨了孢悬液浓度和宿主体型大小对球孢白僵菌对松墨天牛Monochamus alternatus 幼虫的致病力的影响,旨在为松墨天牛的生物防治提供科学基础。【方法】分别用0.5% 吐温-80(CK)以及1×10⁵, 1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种松墨天牛4龄幼虫,统计接种后15 d内幼虫死亡率和染菌率。同时用最佳浓度(1×10⁹孢子/mL)的球孢白僵菌孢悬液接种体型大小分别为100~150, 200~220, 300~320, 400~420, 500~520和600~650 mg/头的松墨天牛幼虫,测定接种后20 d内幼虫的死亡率和染菌率。【结果】接种1×10⁵~1×10⁹孢子/mL的球孢白僵菌后,松墨天牛4龄幼虫起初活动自如,后在头部出现烧灼状伤并且体色逐渐变红,最后周身长满菌丝。不同浓度下,随球孢白僵菌孢子浓度升高,松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正死亡率和校正染菌率增加。接种1×10⁶~1×10⁹孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液15 d的松墨天牛4龄幼虫累计校正死亡率均可达到100%,1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL浓度下,松墨天牛达到100%校正死亡率所需时间最少。接种0 (CK), 1×10⁵, 1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, 1×10⁸和1×10⁹孢子/mL球孢白僵菌孢悬液的松墨天牛4龄幼虫校正染菌率在第15天分别为0, 20.00%, 86.67%, 90.00%, 96.67%和100.00%,表现为白僵菌孢子浓度越高,染菌率越高。1×10⁹孢子/mL的接种浓度下,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,天牛幼虫死亡率和染菌率越高。表现在第20天时,体型大小为100~150, 200~220, 300~320, 400~420, 500~520和600~650 mg/头的幼虫的死亡率分别为76.67%, 76.67%, 66.67%, 93.33%, 100.00%和100.00%,染菌率分别为60.00%, 63.33%, 60.00%, 86.67%, 96.67%和100.00%。【结论】球孢白僵菌悬浮液浓度对松墨天牛幼虫的死亡和侵染有显著影响,表现为随孢子浓度的增加而增加;同时,松墨天牛幼虫个体越大,死亡率和染菌率越高。研究结果对开展利用球孢白僵菌防治松墨天牛具重要借鉴和指导意义。     

不同寄主来源的根虫瘟霉菌株对小菜蛾幼虫的毒力比较

在不同寄主来源的4株根虫瘟霉Zoophthora radicans对小菜蛾 Plutella xylostella 2龄幼虫的生物测定中,发现源于小菜蛾的菌株ARSEF1100毒力最强,在0.53～319.32/mm²的孢子剂量下,接种后第8 天累计死亡率为2.38%～97.44%,虫尸全部表现典型的虫瘟霉症状;源于叶蝉的ARSEF2699和F99101菌株的同日累计死亡率分别为2.38%～50.00% (剂量为1.56～314.84/mm²孢子)和2.38%～57.89% (剂量为1.84～484.08/mm²的孢子);而源于菜粉蝶的ARSEF1342菌株在3.54～633.0/mm²的孢子剂量下只引发6.52%～13.63%的累计死亡率,后3个菌株致死的小菜蛾幼虫仅部分表现典型症状。所获数据经时间剂量-死亡率模型模拟分析,剂量效应参数依次为ARSEF1100 (1.89) > F99101 (1.48) > ARSEF2699 (1.23) > ARSEF1342 (0.37),相互间差异均达极显著水平。接种后4～8 天内,ARSEF1100的LD₅₀值分别为231.68、113.08、71.41、40.87和35.30/mm²的孢子,其毒力远高于其余3个菌株;ARSEF2699的相应LD₅₀值为1344.43、922.39、555.58、410.06和397.07/mm²的孢子;F99101的LD₅₀值为666.86、451.64、413.82、350.65和332.57/mm²的孢子,而ARSEF1342的毒力太弱难以估计。这些结果表明,ARSEF1100菌株最有希望用于小菜蛾的微生物防治。     

绿僵菌MaFZ-13对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫致病力及林间防治效果

【目的】橙带蓝尺蛾Milionia basalis近年来在我国南方地区严重危害罗汉松Podocarpusmacrophyllus和竹柏Podocarpus nagi,扩散蔓延速度快,造成了很大的损失。本研究旨在评估金龟子绿僵菌Metarhizium anisopliae MaFZ-13菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的致病力,探寻橙带蓝尺蛾生物防治新资源。【方法】通过绿僵菌MaFZ-13不同浓度(1.0×10⁵~1.0×10⁹孢子/mL)孢子悬浮液接种橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫,运用时间-剂量-死亡率(TDM)模型对生物测定结果进行分析,同时通过林间喷施1.0×10⁸孢子/mL绿僵菌孢子悬浮液进行林间防治效果试验。【结果】橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫累计死亡率随着绿僵菌MaFZ-13孢子悬浮液孢子浓度的增加和接种时间的延长而增大。接种1.0×10⁹孢子/mL孢子悬浮液8 d后以及接种1.0×10⁸孢子/mL孢子悬浮液10 d后,幼虫死亡率均达到100%;接种1.0×10⁷孢子/mL孢子悬浮液15 d后幼虫死亡率为95.6%。应用TDM模型对生测数据进行分析,结果表明所建模型通过Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合异质性检验,并由模型估算出了该菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的致死剂量和致死时间。绿僵菌MaFZ-13菌株接种4, 5, 6和7 d后的半致死剂量(LC₅₀)对数估计值分别为7.99, 7.12, 6.46和5.83。以1.0×10⁷, 1.0×10⁸和1.0×10⁹孢子/mL的孢子浓度接种时,绿僵菌MaFZ-13菌株对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫的LT₅₀值分别为5.19,3.99和2.81 d。林间用1.0×10⁸孢子/mL绿僵菌孢子悬浮液喷洒9 d后橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫死亡率可达到85.8%,防治效果为85.05%。【结论】绿僵菌MaFZ-13对橙带蓝尺蛾幼虫具有较强的致病力,林间防治效果良好,具有较好的应用潜力。     

杀虫荧光假单胞工程菌的构建及其杀虫效果

以转座子mini-Tn5为介导,用高压电激转化法将BtcryIA©基因整合到生防细菌荧光假单胞菌P303-1的染色体上。通过对重组菌株染色体DNA酶切分析、PCR检测,表明转化子DNA中含有cryIA©基因及其营养期表达的强启动子。SDS-PAGE鉴定、ELISA检测及电镜观察证实了杀虫晶体蛋白在P303-1中的高效表达。生物测定结果显示工程菌对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera具有显著毒杀作用。工程菌PT45、PT51、PT61、PT71和野生菌HD-73对棉铃虫2龄幼虫5天的LC₅₀值分别为50.1281 μg/g、71.7763 μg/g、69.0820 μg/g、57.9895 μg/g、192.8747 μg/g。死亡率与浓度呈正相关,体重与浓度呈负相关。     

产碱菌Alcaligenes sp. qz-1 对铬污染土壤中玉米生长和铬累积的影响研究

通过盆栽试验研究了铬(Cr₂O₇^2-)污染土壤中接种铬耐受细菌Alcaligenes sp. qz-1 对玉米株高、茎粗、叶绿素含量、地上部分和地下部分干重以及铬含量的影响。结果表明, 在重金属铬(Cr₂O₇^2-) 胁迫(50 mg·kg^–1, 100 mg·kg^–1)下,玉米生长显著受到抑制(P<0.05)。与对照相比, 株高分别减少9.92%和18.97%, 茎粗分别降低了13.36%和14.24%, 叶绿素含量分别降低了10.46%和13.25%。接种Alcaligenes sp. qz-1, 可以显著缓解重金属胁迫对玉米生长的不利影响(P<0.05)。铬(Cr₂O₇^2-) 胁迫(50 mg·kg^–1, 100 mg·kg^–1)下, 接种Alcaligenes sp. qz-1 的植株与未接种的玉米植株相比, 株高分别增加了6.36%和10.91%, 茎粗分别增加了10.17%和8.01%, 叶绿素含量分别提高了9.16%和2.64%。同时, 接种Alcaligenes sp. qz-1, 可显著提高玉米(尤其是根系部分)对土壤铬的吸收量, 吸收总量较未接种的增加13.9%-36.9%。综上所述, 接种Alcaligenes sp. qz-1 改善了铬(Cr₂O₇^2-)胁迫下玉米生长特性, 增加了玉米根部对铬(Cr₂O₇^2-)的吸收, 降低了铬(Cr₂O₇^2-)对玉米的毒害, 为该菌株进一步应用农田重金属污染进行治理提供一定理论依据和实践指导。     

亚洲玉米螟幼虫应对大肠杆菌注射的血淋巴免疫应激反应

为研究大肠杆菌Escherichia coli侵染引发亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée幼虫免疫应激反应的机理,本实验测定了分别注射生理盐水以及3×10³,3×10⁴,3×10⁵和3×10⁶个细胞/mL大肠杆菌后亚洲玉米螟5龄幼虫血淋巴中血细胞总数（THC）、颗粒细胞和浆血细胞数量,血清中酚氧化酶（PO）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-px）、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)的活性,通过流式细胞仪分析了血细胞活性氧自由基(ROS)水平的动态变化。结果表明：与对照组相比,注射3×10⁵和3×10⁶个细胞/mL大肠杆菌细胞后12 h,可引起亚洲玉米螟5龄幼虫THC及浆血细胞、颗粒细胞数量明显上升(P<0.01),同时应激产生大量ROS。3×10⁴,3×10⁵和3×10⁶个细胞/mL大肠杆菌3个不同浓度处理组均引起幼虫体内PO活性显著升高(P<0.01),诱导幼虫血清中GSH-px,GST及GR的活性上升(P<0.01)。这些结果表明, 亚洲玉米螟幼虫受到大肠杆菌侵染后,其血淋巴细胞免疫和体液免疫能力受到显著影响, 可诱导血清中GSH-px,GST和GR活性升高以清除过多的ROS, 防止其毒害。     

玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾致病力的时间-剂量-死亡率模型模拟

小菜蛾Plutella xylostella是我国南方十字花科蔬菜上的重要害虫,已对田间常用的化学杀虫剂产生了严重的抗性。为寻找有效的小菜蛾生物防治措施,本实验研究了一株分离自家白蚁的玫烟色拟青霉Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (SCAU-PFCF01)对小菜蛾2～4龄幼虫的致病力。实验采用浸液法,供试浓度为1×10³、1×10⁴、1×10⁵、1×10⁶和1×10⁷个孢子/mL。结果表明：随玫烟色拟青霉孢子浓度的升高,小菜蛾的感病死亡率增加,在浓度为1×10⁷ /mL时,小菜蛾2、3和4龄幼虫的累计死亡率分别为96%、85%和80%。玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾各龄幼虫的致病力与供试龄期有关,其感病的敏感顺序为2龄、3龄和4龄。用时间 剂量 死亡率模型（time-dose-mortality model,TDM）对各龄幼虫的致病力数据进行模拟,所建模型均顺利通过Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合异质性检验,表明模型拟合良好,并由模型估计出了该菌株对小菜蛾各龄幼虫的致死剂量与致死时间。2龄幼虫接种后第7天、3龄幼虫接种后第5天、4龄幼虫接种后第4天的LC₅₀估计值分别为1.17×10⁴、1.44×10⁴和5.21×10⁴ /mL,LC₉₀估计值分别为1.98×10⁶、3.82×10⁷和1.29×10⁸ /mL。玫烟色拟青霉对小菜蛾幼虫的致死时间与浓度相关,供试各龄幼虫的LT₅₀值随着孢子悬浮液浓度的增加而递减,在1×10⁵～1×10⁷ /mL的范围内,2龄幼虫的LT₅₀值从3.16天降低到1.72天,3龄幼虫的LT₅₀从3.21天降低到1.83天,4龄幼虫的LT₅₀从3.69天降低到2.04天。即2龄幼虫致死所需的时间最短,其次为3龄幼虫,4龄幼虫致死所需的时间最长。结果显示了该株玫烟色拟青霉在小菜蛾的生物防治中具较强的应用潜力。     

Evaluation of transgenic Bt corn for resistance to the Asian corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), is the most important insect pest on corn in China. Bt transgenic corn provides a new tool for Asian corn borer control. Monsanto's YieldGard Bt transgenic corn expressing Cry1Ab protein, and a non-Bt control, were evaluated in Beijing. Laboratory bioassays were carried out by exposing neonates to an agar-free diet containing Bt corn whorl leaves, tassels, and anthers, or by exposing neonates directly to fresh silk and pollen. These are the tissues initially attacked by neonates in the field. All of these tissues, with the exception of pollen, contained sufficient insecticidal protein to kill > or = 95% of larvae within 7 d. Surviving larvae had also not grown beyond first instar and weighed < or = 0.1 mg. Although larvae feeding on Bt corn pollen were significantly smaller than those on non-Bt corn pollen, there was no significant difference in mortality. Field trials were also conducted with artificial infestations of Asian corn borer at mid whorl, late whorl, and silking stages. Damage ratings and number of larvae surviving per plant indicated that Bt corn was highly resistant to Asian corn borer. Therefore, YieldGard offers the potential for season-long protection against first- and second-generation Asian corn borer.     

棉铃虫对Bt生物农药早期抗性及与转Bt基因棉抗虫性的关系

用饲料感染法建立了棉铃虫Helicoverpa rmigera(Hubmer)敏感品系(SUS1)对Bt生物农药的敏感毒力基线和区分剂量,1995年测定了五省六县棉铃虫初孵幼虫对Bt生物农药的敏感性,结果表明：山东阳谷、河北邯郸、河南新乡、安徽萧县及江苏丰县棉铃虫已产生早期抗性,抗性个体百分率为5%～10%,与敏感品系相比,LC₅₀值稍有增加,但斜率b值明显变小;而江苏东台棉铃虫仍属敏感。这是国内外首次诊测到棉铃虫对Bt生物农药抗性。用棉叶喂饲法测定比较了转Bt基因棉花品系对不同种群棉铃虫的抗虫性效果,结果表明：用早期抗性的阳谷和新乡棉铃虫初孵幼虫接虫5d后平均死亡率较敏感品系下降16%～29%,说明棉铃虫对Bt农药与转Bt生物基因棉花品系间存在交互抗性。还讨论了Bt农药的抗性治理对策。     

对二点委夜蛾高毒力苏云金芽胞杆菌的筛选及其基因型分析

【目的】获得对二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone(M(o|¨)schler)高毒力的苏云金芽胞杆菌(Bt)菌株,寻找对该虫具有特异杀虫活性的蛋白毒素,探索Bt菌株或其杀虫基因应用于二点委夜蛾防治的可行性。【方法】通过生物测定方法比较了36株苏云金芽胞杆菌和一株恶臭假单胞工程菌PHB-cry1Ab对二点委夜蛾幼虫的杀虫活性,同时利用PCR-RFLP方法对这些菌株的基因型进行了分析。【结果】不同Bt菌株对二点委夜蛾幼虫的杀虫活性差别很大,杀虫活性高的菌株都含有cry1Ac基因。饲毒72 h后含单基因的BtHD-73菌株(cry1Ac)对二点委夜蛾2龄幼虫的毒力(LC_(50)值为188.51μg/g)明显高于含多基因的Bt SC-40菌株(cry1Ac,cry2Ac,cry1I,vip3A)的毒力(LC_(50)值为418.13μg/g)。含有vip3A基因的Bt SC-40和BtHD-13营养期上清液对二点委夜蛾2龄幼虫表现出一定的杀虫活性(72 h死亡率分别达到42.5%和57.4%),而无vip3A基因的Bt HD-73营养期上清液未表现出明显的杀虫活性。【结论】由cry1Ac基因编码的Cry1Ac蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫具有特异杀虫活性,Vip3A蛋白对二点委夜蛾幼虫可能也有一定的杀虫活性。     

Management of feeding damage and survival of southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) with Bacillus thuringiensis transgenic field corn

The efficacy of transgenic corn hybrids expressing an insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) delta-endotoxin from different transformation events was evaluated in field corn, Zea mays L., against the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, and sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). Susceptibilities of neonates and third instars were determined on Bt and non-Bt corn plants (V6 and R1 stages) in field plots and corn leaf tissue feeding exposure in laboratory bioassays. Bt corn hybrids associated with MON810 and CBH351 transformation events sustained significantly less injury by southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer during mid-whorl stage infestations compared with their respective non-Bt hybrid equivalents. Southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer feeding injury to ear leaf-sheath and husk tissues during the silking stage of corn was significantly reduced in MON810 and CBH351 Bt corn compared with their respective non-Bt hybrids. However, resistance levels to feeding injury in Bt hybrids associated with the MON810 event were significantly higher than that in the hybrid associated with the CBH351 event. Southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer caused more feeding injury to husk tissue than to ear leaf-sheath tissue in both Bt and non-Bt hybrids infested during the silking stage. Laboratory performance of the MON810 event against southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer varied among hybrids associated with the same event. Third instars of southwestern corn borer were highly susceptible to MON810 Bt corn hybrids in leaf tissue experiments. However, sugarcane borer larvae were susceptible to the MON810 event only in one of the Bt hybrids evaluated. Sugarcane borer mortality was significantly lower after 96 h of feeding exposure on CBH351 Bt corn leaf tissue than on MON810 Bt corn leaf tissue. Plant resistance to southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer increased as plants matured, independent of the presence of a Bt construct. These results are essential to estimate the importance of Bt transgenic corn in areas of southern United States and other areas where mixed populations of southwestern corn borer and sugarcane borer are predominant and cause severe damage to corn production.     

转Bt基因抗虫玉米对亚洲玉米螟幼虫取食行为的影响

室内研究了转cry1Ab杀虫蛋白基因的Bt抗虫玉米MON81 0和Bt1 1对亚洲玉米螟Ostriniafurnacalis初孵幼虫和3龄幼虫的取食行为、取食选择性和存活率的影响。在48h的非选择性试验中玉米螟初孵幼虫在MON81 0和Bt1 1玉米心叶组织上的幼虫取食率随时间的增加而下降,在对照玉米上的幼虫取食率随时间的增加而上升,两者间差异极显著。初孵幼虫接虫到MON81 0和Bt1 1玉米叶片48h的累计死亡率分别为67 .5 %和47 .5 % ,而在对照玉米上死亡率均为0. 3龄幼虫在Bt和非Bt玉米穗轴组织上的幼虫取食率随时间的增加呈上升趋势,第48h时在Bt和非Bt玉米上的幼虫取食率分别达到77 5 %和1 0 0 % ,差异极显著。选择性试验中,第4～48h内,初孵幼虫在Bt玉米上的幼虫取食率呈下降趋势,第48h时MON81 0和Bt1 1与各自非Bt对照的组合中初孵幼虫的累计死亡率分别为2 5 .0 %和1 7. 5 % ,二者差异不显著。3龄幼虫在Bt玉米和非Bt玉米上的幼虫取食率均随时间的延长而增加,但在非Bt玉米的幼虫取食率增加速度快,与Bt玉米差异极显著。Bt玉米对玉米螟幼虫取食有抑制和忌避作用。     

Effects of sublethal concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis on larval development of Sesamia nonagrioides

In the Mediterranean Basin, developed diapausing larvae of the borer Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre are found consistently during autumn in transgenic corn, Zea mays L., expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins derived from event 176. These larvae can feed on sublethal concentrations of Bt toxins because the expression of this corn toxin declines after flowering. To evaluate the possible consequences of this phenomenon, the effect of sublethal concentrations of the natural toxin producer, B. thuringiensis variety kurstaki (Dipel DF) on the performance of S. nonagrioides in the laboratory was examined. Larvae treated with Dipel DF showed higher mortality, longer developmental time, extra molts, and higher sensitivity to critical daylength for diapause induction than the untreated larvae. Accordingly, diapausing larvae collected in October and February in a Bt cornfield exhibited a higher number of supernumerary molts before pupating and longer diapause development than larvae collected in a non-Bt field at the same time. These results demonstrate that deployment of Bt corn in the Mediterranean may affect both the borer performance and the development of Bt resistance in addition to direct mortality caused by the Bt toxin.     

Effects of transgenic bt corn on growth and development of the stalk borer Papaipema nebris (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

This study assessed the efficacy of two different genetic events, event Bt 11 (CrylAb) and event CBH351 (Cry 9C), in Bt corn against two instar classes of the stalk borer Papaipema nebris across three different plant stages (V1, V3, and V5) of corn, Zea mays. Class A includes instars 1 and 2, and class B includes instars 3 and 4. Stalk borer response and development over time were measured, and the data from 1999 and 2000 show that the Bt corn does have some effect on the feeding and development of P. nebris. Injury to the corn plant was reduced, although not eliminated. Stalk borer larvae caused significantly (P = 0.0001) more injury to the non-Bt plants than to the Bt plants over time. Growth and development of the larvae were slowed and mortality was higher for Bt corn than for non-Bt corn. These data suggest that planting Bt corn may benefit growers by reducing, but not eliminating, stalk borer infestations and subsequent plant injury.     

Evaluation of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis corn hybrids against Cry1Ab-susceptible and -resistant sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

A Louisiana strain of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), was selected for resistance to the CrylAb protein of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) by using an F2 screening procedure. Survival of Bt-resistant, -susceptible, and -heterozygous genotypes of sugarcane borer was evaluated on vegetative and reproductive stages of five non-Bt and seven Bt field corn, Zea mays L., hybrids in a greenhouse study. Larval survival was recorded 21 d after infestation of neonates on potted plants. Larval survival across the three sugarcane borer genotypes and five non-Bt corn hybrids after 21 d ranged from 23.6 +/- 5.2% (mean +/- SEM) to 57.5 +/- 5.2%. Mean survival of Cry1Ab-resistant larvae on vegetative and reproductive plant stages was 12 and 21%, respectively. During the vegetative stages, all seven Bt corn hybrids were highly efficacious against Cry1Ab-susceptible and -heterozygous genotypes of sugarcane borer, with a larval survival rate of <2% for the Bt-susceptible genotype and < or =5% for the heterozygotes. However, 8-18% of the heterozygous genotype survived on reproductive stage plants for four of the seven Bt corn hybrids tested. The variation in performance of Bt corn cultivars at vegetative and reproductive growth stages against Cry1Ab resistant sugarcane borer suggests differential seasonal expression that may hasten resistance in the field. Bt corn hybrids expressing a "high dose" for European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), may not produce a sufficient high dose for the sugarcane borer.     

Comparative susceptibility of European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, and sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to Cry1Ab protein in a commercial Bacillus thuringiensis corn hybrid

One field strain each of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner); southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar; and sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.); were collected from cornfields in northeastern Louisiana. Susceptibilities of the field strain and a corresponding laboratory strain of the three borer species to Cry1Ab protein in DK69-70 Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn hybrid were determined by exposing neonates to intact leaf tissues from whorl stage plants or by feeding neonates or third instars on a meridic diet treated with different concentrations of Cry1lAb protein extracted from Bt corn leaves. Mortality and growth of larvae were evaluated after 2 and 4 d posttreatment in the bioassays by using intact leaf tissues or after 7 d in the bioassays by using diet incorporating Cry1Ab protein. D. saccharalis was the least susceptible species to Cry1Ab protein among the three species, followed by D. grandiosella, whereas O. nubilalis was most susceptible. The 2-d mortality of D. saccharalis neonates on intact Bt leaf tissues was lower than that of O. nubilalis and D. grandiosella. All neonates of O. nubilalis were killed on the diet treated with Cry1Ab protein at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg. The mortality of D. grandiosella was > 75% at 1 mg/kg, but it was < 6% for D. saccharalis at 1 mg/kg. The LC50 values of D. saccharalis were 3- and 11-fold higher than those of D. grandiosella and O. nubilalis, respectively. The LC90 values of D. saccharalis were 8- and 32-fold higher than those of D. grandiosella and O. nubilalis, respectively. Larval growth of the three species on Cry1Ab-treated diet was inhibited, but the inhibition was greater for O. nubilalis and D. grandiosella than for D. saccharalis. The lower susceptibility of D. saccharalis to Cry1Ab protein suggests that it is necessary to verify if a high-dose Bt corn for O. nubilalis and D. grandiosella is also a high dose for D. saccharalis.     

Biodetrimental effects of the Corn hybrids,Neemazal-T/S and Chlorphan 48% on the pink corn borer Sesamia cretica Led.

The aim of this study was to investigate influence of transgenic and commercial corn hybrids on the behaviour and feeding activity of the pink corn borer (Sesamia cretica Led.). Food consumption was different according to feeding period and hybrids. The feeding ratio of S. cretica on maize hybrids was significantly different between transgenic and commercial hybrids. It appears from the results of this experiment that the antifeeeding activity of transgenic hybrids had greater effect than commercial hybrids one. Thus, it is apparent from these results that transgenic maize was unsuitable because larvae were dead, but the other commercial hybrids were preferable. It can be concluded from the data that the feeding on different maize hybrids had different effects on certain biological aspects of pink corn borer. The impact of untreated Bt. Corn; 0.5% water emulsion of Neem-Azal-T/S and 0.005% water emulsion of Chlorpyrifos insecticides on the behaviour and feeding activity of the pink corn borer S. cretica has been studied. The data showed that larvae stopped feeding from the time when it was fed on untreated Bt. corn or/and non Bt. Corn treated with NeemAzal-T/S 0.5%. The results indicated that Bt. corn, NeemAzal-T/S 0.5% and Chlorphan 48% (0.005%) possessed the toxic effect on pink corn borer S. cretica. According to results, it could be stated that the tested compounds can play an important role in controlling the pink corn borer.