Development and commercial use of Bollgard cotton in the USA--early promises versus today's reality

Bollgard cotton is the trademark given to a number of varieties of cotton bio-engineered to produce an insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). When produced by the modified cotton plants, this protein controls certain lepidopterous cotton insect pests. Commercially available since 1996, these cotton varieties are purchased under a license agreement in which the growers pay a fee and agree to abide by the terms, which include a 1-year license to use the technology and agreement to participate in an insect resistance management program. Today, Bollgard cotton is grown on more than one-third of all cotton acreage in the USA. This product has reduced cotton production costs and insecticide use by providing an effective alternative to chemical insecticides for the control of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens; cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea; and pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella. The specificity and safety profile of the Bt protein produced in planta in cotton was maintained. It has retained its selectivity for lepidopterous insects and lacks the characteristics found in potential allergenic proteins. Fiber quality, the agronomic characteristics of the plant and seed composition remain unchanged. New cotton technology is being developed to provide improved insect control and a wider spectrum of activity. These future products could further reduce insecticide use in the production of cotton, while maintaining the high level of safety and reliability that has been demonstrated by five seasons of Bollgard cotton use.     

Interactions among white spruce tannins, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki, and spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), on larval survival, growth, and development

The interactions among white spruce, Picea glauca (Moench) Voss, purified acetone tannin extracts (hydrolyzable and condensed tannin), Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Cry1A(c) delta-endotoxin strain HD-73 (Btk), and spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on larval survival, growth, and development were investigated over the whole larval feeding period by using artificial diet supplemented with three concentrations of Btk toxins per milliliter of diet (0, 0.021, and 1.72 microg/ml) and three concentrations of foliar tannin extract (0, 8, and 15% dry mass basis). At high Btk concentration, tannin antagonized Btk potency against spruce budworm by lowering Btk-related larval mortality from 83 to 43%. At moderate Btk concentration tannin did not affect Btk potency. Host tree tannins antagonized not only the lethal effects of Btk toxin but also sublethal Btk-related impacts in terms of larval development, pupal weight, relative consumption rate, and growth rate. When alone in the diet, tannin negatively affected larval survival, growth, and development. Maximum potency of tannins against spruce budworm larvae (60% mortality) was reached at dietary concentrations corresponding to what is found in the plant (8% dry mass). The addition of Btk toxin in food containing tannin reduced percentage of larval mortality by one-third, indicating that Btk toxin can antagonize tannin potency against the insect. Development of Btk transgenic spruce trees should consider the antagonistic effect the toxin may have on the resistance conferred by tannins that have evolved naturally in spruce trees.     

Overwintering of Heliothis virescens (F.) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in cotton fields of northeast Mississippi

Following the 1995-2001 crop seasons, population densities of pupae of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), overwintering in cotton fields, Gossypium hirsutum L., in Monroe County, MS, were estimated by digging a total of 43,542 m-row. Densities of pupae varied greatly among years with the highest densities occurring in years with low rainfall in the late summer and early fall. The sex ratio of pupae was variable and significantly male-biased in some years. The total area-wide, tobacco budworm population emerging from all overwintering sites was estimated from catches in pheromone traps whose absolute efficiency is known. After the introduction of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt)-transgenic cotton in 1996 but before a several-fold increase in use of herbicide resistant (HR)-transgenic cotton cultivars in 2001, local cotton fields accounted for <2% of the total overwintered tobacco budworm population. In the pretransgenic cotton production era, it is estimated cotton fields typically accounted for <10% of the overwintered tobacco budworm population. Driving surveys of the tillage status of cotton fields and pheromone trapping to determine the timing of adult emergence in the spring indicate that--until the 2000 crop season--postseason tillage destroyed most tobacco budworm and corn earworm pupae overwintering in cotton fields. Adoption of HR-transgenic cultivars has quintupled cotton field area planted no-till, but the contribution of cotton fields to overwintered tobacco budworm populations has remained low. Preemptive tillage of cotton fields to kill overwintering tobacco budworm pupae would not appreciably suppress in-season population densities of this pest. However, the absence of such tillage might increase the rate at which the tobacco budworm develops resistance to insecticides and counteradaptation to antibiotic host plant resistance traits including the Bt-transgenic trait.     

Survival and development of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae on isogenic tobacco lines with different levels of alkaloids

Levels of pyridine alkaloids were measured in 18 tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum L., entries from three parental isolines ('NC 95', 'SC 58', and 'Coker 139'), grown at Tifton, GA, Florence, SC, and Oxford, NC, in 1991. Levels of alkaloids in bud leaves (first fully unfolded leaf below the apical leaf bud) were negatively correlated to natural infestation ratings of tobacco budworm larvae, Heliothis virescens (F.), 7 wk after transplanting. For artificially infested bud leaves at Oxford, there was a significant negative correlation between levels of total alkaloids and larval weights after 1 wk of feeding. In 1992, four entries from the 'NC 95' isoline were grown at Oxford, and samples for alkaloid analyses were taken every 2 wk at several leaf positions on each plant. During weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16, second instar tobacco budworms were caged on individual, intact leaves inside perforated plastic bags in the field. The survival and development of tobacco budworm larvae after 1 wk were negatively correlated with levels of alkaloids at the various leaf positions. Larvae survived better and grew faster on the bud leaves of each entry where alkaloid levels were lower than they did on leaves further down the stalk where alkaloid levels were higher. More larvae survived on the lower leaves of the low alkaloid lines than on the lower leaves of the high alkaloid lines. Even moderate increases in pyridine alkaloids had negative effects on tobacco budworm survival and development. Nicotine constituted >97% of the pyridine alkaloids in the 'NC95' isoline each year.     

A high incidence of parasitism ofHeliothis SPP. [Lep.: Noctuidae] larvae in cotton in Southeastern Arkansas

During 1981 and 1982, bollworm,Heliothis zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm,H. virescens (F.), larvae (n=3,666) were collected from 41 cotton fields near Portland, Arkansas (USA) to assess the occurrence of parasitism. Three strategies were employed to controlHeliothis spp. in these fields: (1) release ofTrichogramma pretiosum Riley; (2) insecticidal control; or (3) inaction (check). Insecticide use in nonchemical control fields was reduced, but not eliminated.Heliothis spp. larvae collected in cotton had higher parasitism rates in 1981 (30.9%) and 1982 (50.1%) than had been reported for cotton since the advent of organochlorine insecticide usage. Four species of larval parasites and 1 species of larval-pupal parasite were recorded. The larval parasiteMicroplitis croceipes (Cresson) comprised 90.6% and 94.5% of all parasitic insects reared from field collectedHeliothis spp. in 1981 and 1982, respectively. No difference (P>0.05) in level of parasitism existed betweenH. zea andH. virescens. Differences between treatments occurred only in 1982 whenH. zea larvae were parasitized at a greater (P<0.05) rate in check fields (68.3%) than in insecticidal control fields (44.3%). Higher levels of larval parasitism in cotton fields may be a consequence of reduced insecticide usage and changes in materials applied, particularly the pyrethroids. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.     

Bollgard cotton and resistance of tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to conventional insecticides in southern Tamaulipas, Mexico

Insecticide susceptibility in tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was determined for 8 yr (1991-2001) with larvae sampled from cotton in southern Tamaulipas, Mexico. Before 1996, when Bollgard cotton expressing the Cry1A(c) delta-endotoxin was introduced into the region, two important patterns were documented. The first was economically significant increases in resistance to certain insecticide groups. The second was occurrence of virtually complete control failures in the field during 1994 and 1995. The largest resistance changes were recorded for the type II pyrethroids cypermethrin and deltamethrin. These products are the most widely used products in the region. Resistance ratios for these products increased up to > 100-fold from 1991 to 1995. After 1996, the resistance levels declined. These findings did not occur with other products of scant use (e.g., permethrin, profenofos, and endosulfan) or low tobacco budworm efficacy coupled to a high use pattern (e.g., methyl parathion). This clear trend toward reversal of resistance to type II pyrethroids can be understood, in part, with respect to two factors: 1) the high adoption rate of transgenic cotton in the region, from 31.2% in the beginning (1996) to approximately 90% in 1998; this has considerably curbed the use of synthetic insecticides, with the attending loss of selection pressure on this pest; and 2) the potential immigration to the region of susceptible tobacco budworms from cultivated and wild suitable hosts as well as from transgenic cotton might have influenced the pest population as a whole. The influence of transgenic cotton on southern Tamaulipas can be more clearly seen by the drastic reduction of insecticide use to control this important pest. Now tobacco budworms in this region are susceptible to type II pyrethroids. Two effective and fundamentally different pest management tools are now available to cotton growers in southern Tamaulipas: transgenic cotton, coupled with careful use of pyrethroids, offers the possibility of sustainable and profitable cotton production.     

光对棉铃虫和烟青虫杂交的影响

【目的】力求建立一种准确鉴定室内棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)、烟青虫H.assulta(Guenée)及其杂交种的分子技术,探讨棉铃虫和烟青虫杂交的可能。【方法】室内暗期设置0.5 lx黑光灯和白炽灯,测定不同配对模式下3日龄处女棉铃虫和烟青虫的杂交率;筛选可区分室内建立的棉铃虫、烟青虫及杂交种家族的微卫星位点;于架设有黑光灯的温室内释放棉铃虫和烟青虫混合种群,利用微卫星分子标记技术检测子代微卫星位点大小。【结果】两种蛾类在任何一种配对模式下均可杂交,混合种群处理杂交率为2.92%,且均为烟青虫雌蛾与棉铃虫雄蛾配对交配;黑光灯、白炽灯和黑暗条件下杂交率无显著性差异;筛选出的Har SSR1、Har SSR9和Har SSR10在两种蛾类上的等位基因片段大小不一样;两年温室实验共鉴定360头子代,混合种群中未检测到杂交后代。【结论】交配笼中棉铃虫和烟青虫能进行种间杂交,弱光不能提高二者杂交率;混合种群处理只发现一种杂交配对模式,说明了棉铃虫雄蛾的交配竞争能力更强;成功利用微卫星分子标记技术鉴定室内建立的棉铃虫、烟青虫及杂种家族,提供了一种简单准确的分子鉴定手段;两年温室实验未检测到杂交种,说明2种蛾类之间存在着交配前生殖隔离机制。     

Feeding behavior of bollworm and tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in mixed stands of nontransgenic and transgenic cotton expressing an insecticidal protein

Feeding behavior of third-instar bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), was observed in pure and mixed stands of nontransgenic and transgenic cotton (BTK), Gossypium hirsutum L., expressing an insecticidal protein CryIA(c) from a bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner subsp. kurstaki. Five plant stands composed of BTK and non-BTK plants were evaluated; two pure stands and three mixed stands. Percentage ratios of BTK to non-BTK plants in the stands were 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, respectively. In all stands with BTK plants, fewer bollworm and tobacco budworm larvae were found on BTK plants than non-BTK plants 24 h after infestation with third instars. At 48 h, significantly fewer tobacco budworm larvae, but not fewer bollworm larvae, were found on BTK plants. However, the number of larvae of either insect did not increase on non-BTK plants compared with the initial infestation density of three larvae per plant. The number of obacco budworm injured flower buds, and capsules was lower in all plant stands containing BTK plants compared with the pure stand of non-BTK at 48 h after infestation. Higher numbers of larvae on non-BTK plants were possibly the result of larval intoxication, reduced feeding, and increased plant abandonment and death on BTK plants rather than a classical feeding preference. Unexpectedly, the number of flower buds and capsules injured by bollworm and tobacco budworm when averaged per plant for all plants in a stand, differed little among the 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 plant mixtures. These data suggest that larvae of both species frequently moved among plants, feeding indiscriminately on BTK and non-BTK plants.     

Development of a novel‐type transgenic cotton plant for control of cotton bollworm

The transgenic Bt cotton plant has been widely planted throughout the world for the control of cotton budworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). However, a shift towards insect tolerance of Bt cotton is now apparent. In this study, the gene encoding neuropeptide F (NPF) was cloned from cotton budworm H. armigera, an important agricultural pest. The npf gene produces two splicing mRNA variants—npf1 and npf2 (with a 120‐bp segment inserted into the npf1 sequence). These are predicted to form the mature NPF1 and NPF2 peptides, and they were found to regulate feeding behaviour. Knock down of larval npf with dsNPF in vitro resulted in decreases of food consumption and body weight, and dsNPF also caused a decrease of glycogen and an increase of trehalose. Moreover, we produced transgenic tobacco plants transiently expressing dsNPF and transgenic cotton plants with stably expressed dsNPF. Results showed that H. armigera larvae fed on these transgenic plants or leaves had lower food consumption, body size and body weight compared to controls. These results indicate that NPF is important in the control of feeding of H. armigera and valuable for production of potential transgenic cotton.     

Vertical transmission of Nosema fumiferanae (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) and consequences for distribution, post-diapause emergence and dispersal of second-instar larvae of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

We examined vertical transmission of Nosema fumiferanae in the eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and how it affects overwintering distribution and survival and spring emergence and dispersal of second-instar larvae in outbreak populations. Females containing 5.0 x 10(5) spores or more consistently produced 100% infected progeny. Transmission efficiency was still 50% at burdens as low as 0.2 x 10(5) spores per moth. Infection intensity in offspring increased with maternal spore load but became highly variable above 25 x 10(5) spores per female. Nosema multiplied in second instars for at least 1 month after they entered dormancy, regardless of temperature (2 degrees C versus 21 degrees C). Infection did not affect the distribution of overwintering larvae in a white spruce canopy. Dormancy survival between late-summer and the following spring was lower in families from infected females and was negatively correlated with larval infection intensity. Infection delayed larval emergence from hibernacula in the spring and resulted in delayed dispersal of emerged larvae, at least when parasite prevalence and infection intensities were high. Infected larvae were less successful in establishing feeding sites after dispersal. Our results underscore the potential of Nosema infection to negatively affect processes early in the budworm life cycle.     

烟田烟青虫药剂防治研究

在室内外研究了５种低毒（或中等毒性）,低残留杀虫剂和１种微生物杀虫剂（ＨＤ－１）对烟青虫的防治效果。其中有４种可专用于防治烟青虫,２种既可防治烟青虫,亦可兼治烟蚜,效果为９４％－１００％。可以认为,溴氰菊酯,氯氰菊脂,杀灭菊酯,乙酰甲甲胺磷,杀虫双和ＨＤ－１可代替高毒农度药甲胺磷防治烟青虫。     

Soybean Kunitz, C-II and PI-IV inhibitor genes confer different levels of insect resistance to tobacco and potato transgenic plants

In modern, highly intensive agriculture, the control of insect pests is basically achieved with the application of chemical pesticides. Heavy reliance on this sole strategy is associated with several drawbacks, and the development of alternative or complementary methods to chemical control is desirable. In this work, three soybean genes (KTi ₃ , C-II and PI-IV)coding for serine proteinase inhibitors were isolated by PCR and transferred to Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA 105, which in turn was used for transforming tobacco leaf and potato tuber discs. Biochemical assays confirmed that transgenic plants synthesized serine proteinase inhibitors; rates of expression varied among plants. The level of insect resistance (tested with Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval) was particularly high in tobacco, where many plants caused the death of all larvae. In potatoes, larval mortality was much less frequently achieved, but the results were still encouraging in that larval weight gain was reduced by 50% in the presence of adequate amounts of inhibitor. When 8-day-old larvae were fed different KTi ₃ -expressing tobacco plants, a highly significant (P<0.01) correlation was observed between inhibitor content and larval live weight. Larval weight gain was found to be dependent on midgut proteolytic activity. On the basis of the evidence collected, it is suggested that further work is required to identify more specific inhibitors for the main proteinases of the target insect. Received: 30 March 1998 / Accepted: 9 December 1999     

烟青虫人工饲料的研究

本文报道烟青虫Heliothis assulta的一种人工饲料,其主要成分是麦胚、酵母粉、番茄酱和辣椒粉.与自然食料相比,用这种人工饲料饲养的烟青虫生长快、发育整齐、存活率高,得到的蛹大,成虫繁殖力强.饲料中含0.1—0.2%的NaCI对幼虫的生长发育有促进作用.6龄幼虫对该饲料中干物质、能量和氮的同化效率分别是38.5%、43.9%和48.5%.在连续12代饲养期间,幼虫期存活率在57—92%之间,平均76%.     

Distribution of bollworm,Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), injured reproductive structures on genetically engineered Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki Berliner cotton

Bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), larvae are commonly observed feeding in genetically engineered Bollgard cotton. Although no information is currently available characterizing the levels of injury bollworms cause, aproximately 25% of the Bollgard acreage in the United States receives at least one insecticide application annually targeting bollworm populations. Studies were conducted to determine the levels of fruiting form injury that can occur from bollworm larvae feeding on white flowers of two types of genetically engineered cotton. The two types of genetically engineered cotton included the original Bollgard that produces one protein (Cry1Ac) from Bacillus thuringiensis variety kurstaki Berliner and Bollgard II that produces two proteins (Cry1Ac + Cry2Ab) from B. thuringiensis kurstaki. In one study, individual larvae (24 +/- 6 h old) were placed in first position white flowers of Deltapine 5415 (non-Bollgard) and Deltapine NuCOTN 33B (Bollgard). Larval infestations were made on 50 plants for each of 5 d during 2000 and 2001. Each plant was visually examined at 3 d and every 2 d thereafter, until larvae were no longer recovered. Larvae injured a total of 46.6 fruiting forms per 50 plants on non-Bollgard cotton, compared with only 18.9 fruiting forms per 50 plants on Bollgard cotton. Mean larval injury per insect was 4.3 fruiting forms on non-Bollgard cotton compared with 2.7 fruiting forms on Bollgard cotton. In a second study, individual larvae (24 +/- 6 h old) were placed in first position white flowers of Deltapine 50 (non-Bollgard), Deltapine 50B (Bollgard), and an experimental Bollgard II line. Larval infestations were made on 10 plants per day for each of six consecutive days during 2001. Larvae injured a total of 25.0 fruiting forms per 10 plants on non-Bollgard, 11.5 on Bollgard, and 6.4 on Bollgard II cottons. Mean larval injury per insect was 6.6 fruiting forms on non-Bollgard, 3.5 on Bollgard, and 0.8 on Bollgard II cottons. These data indicate that supplemental insecticide applications may be necessary to prevent yield losses on Bollgard cotton. In contrast, injury to Bollgard II cotton was minimal and may not require additional insecticide applications for bollworms.     

转CpTI-Bt基因棉和转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫幼虫存活、生长及营养利用的影响

2000年7月中旬和8月中旬, 分别测定了采自田间的转CpTI-Bt基因双价抗虫棉（SGK321, 以下简称CpTI-Bt棉）和转Bt基因抗虫棉（中30,以下简称Bt棉）对棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera幼虫存活、生长的影响。结果表明：7月中旬两种转基因抗虫棉抗虫效果均较好,尤其是CpTI-Bt棉棉叶和花瓣对4龄幼虫3天内致死率为92%以上;8月中旬两种转基因棉的抗虫活性均明显降低,且Bt棉的杀虫活性显著低于CpTI-Bt棉,其幼虫死亡率与对照受体棉中16的死亡率之间无显著差异,仅显著抑制了幼虫的生长;石远321(SGK321受体品系)的花瓣具有一定的抗虫活性,可显著降低取食幼虫的体重,甚至造成部分幼虫死亡; CpTI-Bt棉中,花瓣和棉叶的抗虫性明显高于蕾和铃心。对5龄幼虫取食棉铃1日后的营养指标测定结果显示： 两种转基因抗虫棉处理的幼虫相对生长率和相对取食量均显著低于石远321,但两者之间无显著差异; CpTI-Bt棉处理的幼虫近似消化率显著低于石远321和Bt棉,但其食物利用率显著高于石远321和Bt棉。     

Comparison of energy budgets for spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens) on balsam fir and white spruce

Summary A determination was made of the differences in the utilization of energy by laboratory reared larval Choristoneura fumiferana fed either balsam fir or white spruce foliage. This enabled us to quantitatively measure the quality of these foliages vis a vis the spruce budworm.The larval strategy was to feed rapidly and develop quickly. Development time was longer on spruce than on fir. Total consumption was virtually identical on both foliage types though production was ca 20% greater on a white spruce diet. Calories/gram increased with insect development and with the development of balsam fir foliage but declined over time in white spruce. Assimilation efficiencies (A/C) were 33.9% to 40.2% while gross production efficiencies (P/C) were 9.5% to 13.3% and net production efficiencies (P/A) were 26.1% to 38.8%. The spruce fed insects gave higher values than those on fir, but all values were at the low end of the range for lepidopterous defoliators (possibly due to characteristics of conifer foliage).The enhanced growth found in spruce fed larvae contrasts the relationship between balsam fir and high insect densities. This is discussed together with the influence of spruce budworm on forest composition and the possible competitive benefits of spruce budworm induced tree mortality.Parts of this paper appeared in a Master's thesis (Koller 1978) submitted to the University of Maine     

Differentiating tobacco budworm and corn earworm using near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to develop a simple and quick technique to differentiate two economically important species, the tobacco budworm, Heliothis cirescens (F.), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), which are major pests of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in the southern United States. In practice, it is difficult to distinguish the two species during their immature stages using morphological characteristics unless expensive microscopy equipment or trained technicians are available. The current studies demonstrated that the two species could be quickly and readily differentiated during early developmental stages, including egg and young larval (younger than third instar) stages, by using NIRS technology with up to 95% accuracy. NIRS technology could significantly improve pest diagnosis in cotton pest management.     

Effects of bud phenology and foliage chemistry of balsam fir and white spruce trees on the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis against the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana

Abstract 1 Efficacy of commercial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk) against spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana was investigated in mixed balsam fir‐white spruce stands. Btk treatments were scheduled to coincide with early flaring of balsam fir shoots, and later with flaring of white spruce shoots. Btk efficacy on the two host trees was compared and examined according to the foliar content of nutrients and allelochemicals and the insect developmental stage at the time of spray. 2 Larvae fed white spruce foliage were less vulnerable to Btk ingestion than larvae fed balsam fir foliage. Higher larval survival on white spruce, observed 10 days after spray, was related to higher foliage content in tannins and a lower N/tannins ratio, which might have induced inactivation of Btk toxins. 3 Larval mortality due to Btk did not depend on spruce budworm larval age. 4 Foliage protection of both host trees was similar in plots treated with Btk: larval mortality due to Btk treatment reduced insect grazing pressure on balsam fir trees; meanwhile, suitability of white spruce foliage seemed to decrease very rapidly, which induced high larval mortality among spruce budworm fed on white spruce trees. Nevertheless, following Btk sprays, 50% more foliage remained on white spruce than on balsam fir trees, because of the higher white spruce foliage production. 5 Both spray timings achieved similar protection of white spruce trees, but Btk treatments had to be applied as early as possible (i.e. during the flaring of balsam fir shoots to optimally protect balsam fir trees in mixed balsam fir‐white spruce stands).     

Occurrence and effects of Nosema fumiferanae infections on adult spruce budworm caught above and within the forest canopy

1 Nosema fumiferanae infections in populations of both sexes of spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana moths, collected live above the forest canopy (canopy moths), within the tree crown (crown moths) and in drop trays (dead moths), were examined over a 5‐year period in New Brunswick, Canada. 2 The incidence of infection and of moderate–heavy infections in canopy and crown moths of both sexes increased concomitantly with moth eclosion, indicating that N. fumiferanae retards larval/pupal development, with infected moths, particularly those having higher disease loads, emerging later in the season. 3 Infection rates differed among canopy, crown, and dead female, but not male, moths. Canopy (i.e. emigrating) females had a lower incidence of infection, lower incidence of moderate–heavy infections, and had longer forewings and higher dry weights, than crown females. These results suggest that N. fumiferanae infections negatively affect aspects of female, but not male, flight performance. Regardless of infection, forewing length and dry weight of both canopy and crown females declined over the moth flight period, but infected females in both moth types were smaller than their uninfected counterparts. Forewing lengths and dry weights of moderately–heavily infected females were most severely affected. 4 Despite high annual infection rates in parents, only a small percentage of offspring (second‐instar larvae) that established feeding sites each spring were infected, indicating that high rates of horizontal transmission occurred annually throughout the larval period. 5 The present study indicates that whether N. fumiferanae infections are a debilitating sublethal factor in spruce budworm populations depends more on the disease load than on the overall incidence of infection. The potential importance of N. fumiferanae infections on various fitness parameters related to host dispersal is discussed.