Influence of plant silicon and sugarcane cultivar on mandibular wear in the stalk borer Eldana saccharina

1 Silicon can increase the resistance of plants to attack by herbivorous insects. The present study aimed to determine the effect of silicon and cultivar on mandibular wear in larvae of the sugarcane stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).
2 Four sugarcane cultivars, resistant (N21, N33) and susceptible (N11, N26) to E. saccharina were grown in a pot trial in silicon deficient river sand, with (Si+) and without (Si−) calcium silicate. Individual third-instar larvae were confined on the sugarcane stalk at three known feeding sites (leaf bud, root band and internode) and left to feed for 21 days.
3  Eldana saccharina larval heads were mounted on stubs, with the mandibles oriented horizontally and photographed under a scanning electron microscope. Mandibular wear was measured from the digital images using a quantitative method.
4 Although there was a trend for increased wear in larvae that developed on Si+ cane, no significant effect of silicon, cultivar or site on mandibular wear of E. saccharina was shown.
5 This is the first study to accurately and quantitatively measure the mandibular wear of an insect fed on Si+ plants.     

Water stress augments silicon-mediated resistance of susceptible sugarcane cultivars to the stalk borer Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Silicon (Si) can improve resistance of plants to insect attack and may also enhance tolerance of water stress. This study tested if Si-mediated host plant resistance to insect attack was augmented by water stress. Four sugarcane cultivars, two resistant (N21, N33) and two susceptible (N26, N11) to Eldana saccharina Walker were grown in a pot trial in Si-deficient river sand, with (Si+) and without (Si-) calcium silicate. To induce water stress, irrigation to half the trial was reduced after 8.5 months. The trial was artificially infested with E. saccharina eggs after water reduction and harvested 66 days later. Silicon treated, stressed and non-stressed plants of the same cultivar did not differ appreciably in Si content. Decreases in numbers of borers recovered and stalk damage were not associated with comparable increases in rind hardness in Si+ cane, particularly in water-stressed susceptible cultivars. Overall, Si+ plants displayed increased resistance to E. saccharina attack compared with Si- plants. Borer recoveries were significantly lower in stressed Si+ cane compared with either stressed Si- or non-stressed Si- and Si+ cane. Generally, fewer borers were recovered from resistant cultivars than susceptible cultivars. Stalk damage was significantly lower in Si+ cane than in Si- cane, for N21, N11 and N26. Stalk damage was significantly less in Si+ combined susceptible cultivars than in Si- combined susceptible cultivars under non-stressed and especially stressed conditions. In general, the reduction in borer numbers and stalk damage in Si+ plants was greater for water-stressed cane than non-stressed cane, particularly for susceptible sugarcane cultivars. The hypothesis that Si affords greater protection against E. saccharina borer attack in water-stressed sugarcane than in non-stressed cane and that this benefit is greatly enhanced in susceptible cultivars is supported. A possible active role for soluble Si in defence against E. saccharina is proposed.     

Silicon impedes stalk penetration by the borer Eldana saccharina in sugarcane

Many plants grown in soils amended with silicon (Si) display increased levels of resistance to attack by insect herbivores. This study aimed to determine if Si treatment impeded Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) stalk penetration and subsequent damage, as well as borer mass gain, on the node and internode of a susceptible (N11) and a resistant (N33) sugarcane cultivar. Sugarcane [Saccharum spp. (Poaceae)] cultivars were grown in a pot trial in Si‐deficient river sand, with (Si+) and without (Si–) calcium silicate. Sugarcane was infested with 2‐week‐old E. saccharina larvae and harvested at four times, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after infestation. Silicon‐treated plants showed significant increases in Si content compared to controls, and the external rind was significantly harder for Si+ cane than Si– cane. Silicon treatment significantly decreased borer penetration, stalk damage, and larval mass gain. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that Si contributes to sugarcane stalk borer resistance by impeding larval penetration. Silicon appears to contribute to the suppression of E. saccharina directly through reduced larval growth and feeding damage to the crop, and indirectly by delaying stalk penetration, resulting most likely in increased exposure time of young larvae to natural enemies, adverse climatic factors, or control measures that target young larvae (e.g., insecticides).     

Soil silicon amendments increase resistance of sugarcane to stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) under field conditions

Background and aims

Soil amendment with silicon (Si) can significantly increase resistance of susceptible sugarcane cultivars grown in pots to stalk borer Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). This study tested the hypothesis that a single application of silicate can increase resistance to E. saccharina and increase yield in field-grown sugarcane.

Methods

Two Si materials (Calmasil® and Slagment® at 4 and 8 t/ha) were applied at planting to a field trial extending over three successive crops and incorporating three sugarcane cultivars varying in borer susceptibility.

Results

Both materials, especially Slagment, significantly increased soil, leaf and stalk Si content, but leaf Si levels seldom exceeded 0.5 %. Silicon treatment significantly reduced percent stalks bored in all three crops and stalk length bored in the second ratoon crop, but did not affect borer numbers per 100 stalks (E/100) or increase cane or sucrose yield. Borer damage and E/100 were significantly and consistently reduced in the resistant cultivar.

Conclusions

We argue that if leaf Si% in field sugarcane can be elevated to or exceed 0.8 %, using materials that release Si slowly, substantial reductions in stalk damage and sucrose loss could be achieved in susceptible cultivars in low-Si soils.     

Calcium silicate enhances resistance of sugarcane to the African stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

• 1 The stalk borer Eldana saccharina is the most destructive pest in sugarcane in South Africa. This study investigated: (1) the potential of applied silicon in enhancing plant resistance of sugarcane to E. saccharina, using calcium silicate as a carrier; (2) whether there was any interaction between cane variety (and stalk borer resistance) and silicon treatment.
• 2 Six commercial varieties of sugarcane were treated in a pot‐plant trial with two levels (5000 and 10 000 kg/ha) of calcium silicate. After artificial infestation with E. saccharina, response to the treatments was assessed in terms of borer numbers and mass, and stalk damage.
• 3 Calcium silicate significantly enhanced resistance at the higher rate compared with the control. Borer mass was reduced by 19.8% and stalk length bored by 24.4%. Lower treatment values were intermediate between those of the higher treatment and the control.
• 4 The interaction between variety and Si treatment was not significant when varieties were examined individually in the analysis. However, the interaction was significant for borer mass when varieties were grouped according to their resistance characteristics. Susceptible varieties might benefit more from treatment with silicon than resistant ones, as resistant varieties showed no significant effect of silicon.
• 5 All varieties had increased silicon content due to the treatments, but differed appreciably in stalk silicon content at the different treatment levels. Similarly, within varieties, stalk silicon content did not correspond consistently with borer response patterns and silicate application rates.

     

Bt-maize as a potential trap crop for management of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep., Pyralidae) in sugarcane

Abstract:  Notwithstanding the introduction of several pest management tactics, the stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep., Pyralidae) remains the most serious pest in South African sugarcane. A novel tactic for managing this pest in sugarcane would be the use of a dead-end trap crop that attracts moths for oviposition and curtails subsequent larval development, thereby reducing pest population size. Glasshouse bioassays, in which moths chose to oviposit on maize producing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin ( Bt -maize), non- Bt -maize or sugarcane of two cultivars (borer-resistant and -susceptible), showed that E. saccharina laid significantly more eggs and egg batches per dry leaf and unit mass of dry leaf on maize ( Bt or non- Bt ) than on either of the cane cultivars. When moths had a choice of ovipositing on 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-month-old maize ( Bt and non- Bt ), dry leaf number and mass of dry leaf material was significantly correlated with number of eggs and egg batches, indicating that older plants, which carried larger amounts of dry leaf matter, were more attractive for oviposition. Finally, glasshouse assays in which hatching larvae fed on 2.5-, 3.5- and 4.5-month-old Bt and non- Bt -maize plants, showed that the Cry1Ab toxin was effective in killing E. saccharina larvae in all Bt -maize plant growth stages, confirming that Bt -maize fulfilled the third requirement (curtailing larval development) of a dead-end trap crop for this pest. We argue that Bt -maize warrants further testing in the field as a trap crop, both alone and as a component of a 'push–pull' or habitat management system for E. saccharina in sugarcane.     

Interactions between Fusarium species from sugarcane and the stalk borer, Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

In this study, beneficial relationships between Fusarium species in sugarcane and the stalk borer, Eldana saccharina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were demonstrated in vitro . In addition, Fusarium species with antagonistic properties were found to inhabit sugarcane. Attenuated Fusarium isolates from sugarcane stalks collected across the South African sugar industry were incorporated into diet formulated to mass rear E. saccharina . Of the over 200 Fusarium isolates obtained, 10 that significantly improved the survival and development of E. saccharina larvae and considered to be beneficial were selected for further study, as were 10 that were detrimental or antagonistic to the stalk borer. Twelve of the selected isolates were identified as F. sacchari by direct sequencing of translation elongation factor-1α fragments, eight of which resulted in reduced numbers of surviving larvae and significantly lower larval masses. F. proliferatum isolates resulted in increased survival and mass of E. saccharina and three of the five isolates assigned to the F. pseudonygamai group enhanced E. saccharina development. Results from olfactory choice experiments suggested the production of attractive and repellent metabolites by certain isolates. Findings from this study may offer additional or alternative strategies for managing E. saccharina infestation of sugarcane.     

Interspecific variation in resistance to emerald ash borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) among North American and Asian ash (Fraxinus spp.)

We conducted a 3-yr study to compare the susceptibility of selected North American ash and an Asian ash species to emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, an invasive wood-boring beetle introduced to North America from Asia. Because of a coevolutionary relationship between Asian ashes and emerald ash borer, we hypothesized an Asian ash species, Manchurian ash, is more resistant to the beetle than its North American congeners. Consistent with our hypothesis, Manchurian ash experienced far less mortality and yielded far fewer adult beetles than several cultivars of North American green and white ash. Surprisingly, a black ash (North American) x Manchurian ash hybrid was highly susceptible to emerald ash borer, indicating this cultivar did not inherit emerald ash borer resistance from its Asian parent. A corollary study investigated the efficacy of soil-applied imidacloprid, a systemic, neonicotinoid insecticide, for controlling emerald ash borer in each of the five cultivars. Imidacloprid had no effect on emerald ash borer colonization of Manchurian ash, which was low in untreated and treated trees. In contrast, imidacloprid did enhance survival of the North American and hybrid cultivars and significantly reduced the number of emerald ash borer adults emerging from green and white ash cultivars. We identify a possible mechanism of resistance of Manchurian ash to emerald ash borer, which may prove useful for screening, selecting, and breeding emerald ash borer-resistant ash trees.     

Resistance to stem borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) among Texas rice cultivars

A 4-yr field study was conducted to assess the resistance of rice, Oryza sativa L., cultivars to injury from the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), and the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (both Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Several cultivars showed reduced levels of injury ('CLXL8', 'XL8', 'Wells', 'Cheniere', and 'XP710' in 2003; CLXL8, XP723, Cheniere, and 'CL161' in 2004) and lower stem borer yield loss (CLXL8 in 2004) than the more susceptible 'Priscilla'. The resistant CLXL8 also had less injury and yield loss in 2004 and higher yield in 2003 than 'Cocodrie', currently the most popular rice cultivar in Texas and Louisiana. Linear regression analyses between whiteheads and main crop rice yield showed steeper negative slopes for the more resistant cultivars than the more susceptible cultivars, indicating a greater yield loss per whitehead on the resistant cultivars. Compensation from insect injury likely explains the positive associations established in our study between main crop yield and whiteheads for some cultivars. Cultivar resistance is anticipated to become a major control tactic in reducing infestations of E. loftini and D. saccharalis in the Texas and Louisiana rice industries.     

Population genetics of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and the implications for management using biocontrol

The African sugarcane stalk borer, Eldona saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa and is an important insect pest of maize and sugarcane. The insect shows significant variation in behaviour, host plant and natural enemy guild in different regions. Several attempts to redistribute the natural enemies of E. saccharina from West Africa to South Africa were unsuccessful. The significant behavioural, host plant and natural enemy variations as well as failures of biocontrol attempts evoked a hypothesis of genetic diversification. To evaluate this hypothesis a molecular analysis was conducted on geographically isolated populations of E. saccharina from East, North, South and West Africa, using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region of the mitochondrial genome. The results revealed that E. saccharina populations are separated into four major units corresponding to the West Africa, Rift Valley, South/East Africa and southern African populations. Mitochondrial DNA divergence among the four populations ranged from 1% to 4.98%. To examine the impact of the observed genetic variation on the fertility of inter-population crosses, a mating experiment was conducted between the Rift valley and South African population to produce an F1 generation, and these were backcrossed with the South African parent population. Fertility of eggs produced by the F1/parent population cross was significantly reduced when compared to fertility of the "true" South African line, and the F1/F1 cross. The contributions of the observed genetic differences and inter population incompatibility for the failure of previous biocontrol attempts are discussed and recommendations on future biocontrol practices are given.     

Sugarcane borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) management threshold assessment on four sugarcane cultivars

This research assesses the potential for using different economic injury thresholds in management of a key insect pest on susceptible and resistant commercially produced cultivars of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids). In a 2-yr sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), study involving four commercially produced sugarcane cultivars and four insecticide treatment thresholds, 'LCP 85-384' and 'HoCP 91-555' were the most susceptible based on percentage of bored internodes compared with the more resistant 'HoCP 85-845' and 'CP 70-321'. In 2001, the 10% infested stalks threshold was not as effective as the 5% early season-10% late season and 5% full season for HoCP 91-555. Based on D. saccharalis injury under natural infestation conditions, susceptible cultivars seem to require a lower infestation threshold than the more resistant cultivars to achieve adequate injury reduction. Among yield components, only the theoretical recoverable sugar per stalk was significantly increased by applying insecticides. With the resistant HoCP 85-845, differences were not detected for percentage of bored internodes among treated versus untreated management regimes. The resistant HoCP 85-845 had higher levels of fiber in our study; however, no clear pattern on resistance mechanisms was established, because the resistant cultivar CP 70-321 had comparatively low levels of fiber. The development of cultivar-specific thresholds is expected to lower the amount of insecticide used for D. saccharalis management in the sugarcane industry, reduce selection pressure, and delay the development of insecticide resistance.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of Beauveria bassiana against sugarcane stalkborers (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Of approximately 18,200 ha planted to sugarcane in south Texas, only approximately 80 ha (<0.5%) are treated with insecticides because this type of control is widely regarded as ineffective against stalkboring pyralids, the key pests of sugarcane. Therefore, nonchemical control measures, such as resistant varieties and biological controls, must be evaluated to mitigate the losses caused by stalkborers. We performed laboratory and field evaluations on the use of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) (strain GHA) against the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), which causes damage in south Texas estimated at between 10 and 20 million dollars annually. We also performed bioassays against the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Pyralidae), the key pest in other sugarcane growing areas. In the bioassays, E. loftini was substantially more susceptible to B. bassiana than D. saccharalis, based on both 5-d LD50 values and survival times. A commercial oil-based formulation of B. bassiana was evaluated in the field using the following treatments: oil alone (control), B. bassiana + oil, and B. bassiana + Silwet L-77 carrier at an application rate of 5 x 10(13) spores per hectare. Neither numbers of E. loftini per stalk, nor stalk damage (approximately 20% bored internodes) were significantly affected by treatment. The application of B. bassiana + Silwet significantly affected the numbers of internodes showing high damage, but not those with low or medium damage. Analysis of yield data and juice quality showed no significant treatment effects. We conclude that the application of Beauveria + Silwet offers the best chances for reducing damage caused by E. loftini of those treatments tested. However, reductions in insect incidence or damage did not result in measurable increases in yield or sugar quality, probably because of insufficient coverage. Effective control of stalkboring pyralids in sugarcane using B. bassiana will likely require improvements in delivery technology.     

Interspecific proteomic comparisons reveal ash phloem genes potentially involved in constitutive resistance to the emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that has killed millions of ash trees since its accidental introduction to North America. All North American ash species (Fraxinus spp.) that emerald ash borer has encountered so far are susceptible, while an Asian species, Manchurian ash (F. mandshurica), which shares an evolutionary history with emerald ash borer, is resistant. Phylogenetic evidence places North American black ash (F. nigra) and Manchurian ash in the same clade and section, yet black ash is highly susceptible to the emerald ash borer. This contrast provides an opportunity to compare the genetic traits of the two species and identify those with a potential role in defense/resistance. We used Difference Gel Electrophoresis (DIGE) to compare the phloem proteomes of resistant Manchurian to susceptible black, green, and white ash. Differentially expressed proteins associated with the resistant Manchurian ash when compared to the susceptible ash species were identified using nano-LC-MS/MS and putative identities assigned. Proteomic differences were strongly associated with the phylogenetic relationships among the four species. Proteins identified in Manchurian ash potentially associated with its resistance to emerald ash borer include a PR-10 protein, an aspartic protease, a phenylcoumaran benzylic ether reductase (PCBER), and a thylakoid-bound ascorbate peroxidase. Discovery of resistance-related proteins in Asian species will inform approaches in which resistance genes can be introgressed into North American ash species. The generation of resistant North American ash genotypes can be used in forest ecosystem restoration and urban plantings following the wake of the emerald ash borer invasion.     

Oviposition behavior of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on different rice cultivars in Louisiana

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a pest of a variety of graminaceous crops in the southern United States, including sugarcane, maize, and rice in Louisiana. This study examined several aspects of D. saccharalis oviposition behavior on rice (Oryza sativa). The vertical distribution of egg masses on four phenological stages of rice in the field showed that D. saccharalis prefers to oviposit on the uppermost portions of rice plants, regardless of plant stage. In greenhouse choice experiments, females strongly preferred plants at the boot and panicle differentiation stages over plants at the tillering stage for oviposition. Greenhouse studies were also conducted to quantify the oviposition preference of D. saccharalis for different cultivars of. When plants were at the tillering stage, cultivars Cocodrie, Priscilla, Bengal, Cheniere, and CL161 were more preferred than cultivars Jupiter, XL723, and XP744. When plants reached the panicle initiation stage, cultivars Cocodrie, CL161, and Priscilla were more preferred than Bengal, Cheniere, Jupiter, XL723, and XP744. Females also oviposited significantly more egg masses on the adaxial surfaces of rice leaves than on the abaxial surfaces. These results will facilitate scouting and management of sugarcane borer and can be used as a foundation for the development of sugarcane borer resistant cultivars.     

Silicon influence on resistance induction against Bemisia tabaci biotype B (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and on vegetative development in two soybean cultivars

The potential of populations of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) to become resistant to insecticides has stimulated research into alternative tactics of integrated pest management such as the induction of host-plant resistance. Recent data have shown that silicon can increase the degree of resistance of host plants to insect pests. Therefore the aim of our work was to study the effects of silicon application on the vegetative development of soybean plants and on the induction of resistance to the silverleaf whitefly, B. tabaci biotype B. We performed choice and no-choice tests of oviposition preference on two soybean cultivars, IAC-19 (moderately resistant to B. tabaci biotype B) and MONSOY-8001 (susceptible), with and without application of silicon. Silicon did not affect silverleaf whitefly oviposition preferences, but caused significant mortality in nymphs. Thus, silicon increased the degree of resistance to silverleaf whitefly. Silicon decreased the production of phenolic compounds, but did not affect lignin production. However, when applied to cultivar IAC-19, it increased the production of non-protein organic nitrogen. Silicon had no effect on the vegetative development of soybean plants, but it increased the degree of resistance to the silverleaf whitefly. We conclude that silicon applications combined with cultivar IAC-19 can significantly decrease silverleaf whitefly populations, having a positive impact both on the soybean plant and on the environment.     

Field response of sugarcane cultivars to sugarcane soldier fly, Inopus rubriceps (Macquart) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Abstract Ten commercial sugarcane cultivars were planted in 10 replicate plots in each of three field trials in southern Queensland, to evaluate their response to the sugarcane soldier fly Inopus rubriceps . Trials were monitored for three harvests. Numbers of soldier fly larvae differed slightly between cultivars, but probably not enough to prevent the development of damaging populations. Weights of larvae were the same on all cultivars, suggesting that antibiosis was not involved. The effect of soldier fly on performance of cultivars in each trial was examined by regression of number of ratoon shoots and subsequent number and weight of mature stalks and crop yield on larval density during summer−autumn within each crop class. Where statistically significant relationships were detected in ratoons, each increase in soldier fly density of 100 m⁻² was associated with a yield reduction of 1.2−6.4 tonnes cane ha⁻¹, or 3−8% of the expected yield of uninfested plants. In most analyses, the slopes of regressions were the same for all cultivars, indicating no differential response to soldier fly infestation among the cultivars tested.     

Genetic transformation and pyramiding of aprotinin-expressing sugarcane with cry1Ab for shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus) resistance

We evaluated the insecticidal toxicity of Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins against neonate larvae of sugarcane shoot borer Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in vitro on diet surface. With the lowest LC₅₀ value, Cry1Ab emerged as the most effective among the three toxins. Sugarcane cultivars Co 86032 and CoJ 64 were transformed with cry1Ab gene driven by maize ubiquitin promoter through particle bombardment and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems. Gene pyramiding was also attempted by retransforming sugarcane plants carrying bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (aprotinin) gene, with cry1Ab. Southern analysis confirmed multiple integration of the transgene in case of particle bombardment and single site integration in Agrobacterium-mediated transformants. The expression of cry1Ab was demonstrated through Western analysis and the toxin was quantified using ELISA. The amount of Cry1Ab protein in different events varied from 0.007 to 1.73% of the total soluble leaf protein; the events transformed by Agrobacterium method showed significantly higher values. In in vivo bioassay with neonate larvae of shoot borer, transgenics produced considerably lower percentage of deadhearts despite suffering feeding damage by the borer compared with the untransformed control plants. Expressed Cry1Ab content was negatively related to deadheart damage. Aprotinin-expressing sugarcane pyramided with cry1Ab also showed reduction in damage. The potential of producing sugarcane transgenics with cry1Ab and aprotinin genes resistant to early shoot borer was discussed in the light of the results obtained.     

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.     

Economic impact of Hessian fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on spring wheat in Oregon and additive yield losses with Fusarium crown rot and lesion nematode

Damage caused by Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), was quantified in spring wheat, Triticum aestivum L., trials near Pendleton and Moro, OR, during 2001 and 2002. Five field experiments were established to examine genetic resistance to Fusarium crown rot, Fusarium pseudograminearum (O'Donnell & Aoki), and economic damage by lesion nematode, Pratylenchus neglectus (Rensch, 1924) (Filipjev Schuurmanns & Stekhoven, 1941) and Pratylenchus thornei (Sher & Allen, 1941). Hessian fly became the dominant factor affecting grain yield in four experiments. Genotypes carrying the H3-resistance gene had grain yields 66 and 68% higher than susceptible genotypes in cultivar trials during 2001 and 2002, respectively. Yield reductions were detected when Hessian fly infestation rates exceeded 50% plants during 2001 and 15% plants (8% tillers) during 2002. In two trials during 2001, in-furrow application of aldicarb (Temik) at planting improved yields of four Hessian fly-susceptible cultivars by 72 and 144% (up to 1,959 kg/ha) and yields of one Hessian fly-resistant cultivar by 2 and 3%. Resistant cultivars and aldicarb improved grain quality as much as two market grades during 2001. The value of increased grain production with Hessian fly-resistant cultivars in four field experiments ranged from dollar 112 to dollar 252/ha, excluding price incentives for improved market quality. Yield reduction due to combined damage from Hessian fly and either Fusarium crown rot or lesion nematode was additive. This report seems to be the first quantitative yield loss estimate for Hessian fly in spring wheat in the semiarid environment of the inland Pacific Northwest.     

Leaf growth signals the onset of effective plant resistance against Hessian fly larvae

For plant resistance that is induced rather than constitutive, the precise timing of a sequence of events must be considered (i.e., initial detection of the insect by the plant's surveillance systems, up-regulation of signaling and defense pathways, achievement of effective levels of defense, and finally down-regulation of signaling and defense). Here, we provide a timeline for the interaction between resistant wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (Poaceae) and the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). To create this timeline, we measured the daily growth of the third, fourth, and fifth leaves of susceptible and resistant plants. Because each leaf had a different spatial relationship to the site of larval attack (i.e., the sheath epidermal cells of the third leaf) and a different pattern of growth relative to the 3–5 days that larvae attacked resistant plants, we learned different things from each leaf. The third leaf shows how quickly responses of susceptible and resistant plants diverge (i.e., 36–60 h after initial larval attack). The fourth leaf shows that, for both susceptible and resistant plants, negative effects of larval attack extend beyond the third leaf. These negative effects are more severe for susceptible plants, but even in resistant plants continue for several days after larvae have died. The fifth leaf is interesting because it shows how rapidly the resistant plant recovers from larval attack. Thus, 204–348 h after initial attack, a time when the fourth leaf of resistant plants is showing reduced growth and the fifth leaf of susceptible plants is showing zero growth, the fifth leaf of resistant plants shows a small increase in growth. Grasses with resistance gene-mediated resistance may have a two-fold strategy, using resistance mechanisms to stop Hessian fly larvae from further attack and tolerance mechanisms to protect resources for future plant growth.