Influence of tannic acid and Cry1Ac toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis on larval survival, growth, and development of Helicoverpa armigera

Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) causes huge economic losses in cotton production around the world. Tannin, one of the important secondary substances in cotton plants, can increase the δ‐endotoxin activity of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki. The mechanism of interaction between tannin and Bt toxin on H. armigera is unclear. We investigated the interaction between tannic acid and Cry1Ac toxin in H. armigera, and monitored survival, growth, and development during the larval period after treating the larvae with four concentrations of Cry1Ac toxin (0, 2, 8, and 14 μg^?1) alone or in combination with four concentrations of tannic acid (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg g^?1). Mortality of larvae treated with both tannic acid and Cry1Ac was higher than the mortality of larvae treated with tannic acid or Cry1Ac alone. Mortality was 47.5 and 51.5% in larvae treated with 14 μg g^?1 Cry1Ac alone or 2 mg g^?1 tannic acid alone, respectively. In contrast, larval mortality was 75% when treated with the mixture of 14 μg g^?1 Cry1Ac and 2 mg g^?1 tannic acid, suggesting that a mixture of the two enhanced the effectiveness of each one alone. The developmental time of larvae treated with the combination of tannic acid and Cry1Ac was significantly longer than when they were treated with Cry1Ac or tannic acid alone. Larval weight, pupal weight, and pupation rate were also significantly reduced in larvae treated with both toxins, compared with the larvae treated with either toxin alone. These results showed that the interactive effect of tannic acid and Cry1Ac on larval growth inhibition is additive, and that tannic acid improves Cry1Ac toxicity to insects. Tannic acid used in combination with B. thuringiensis might potentially reduce overall insecticide use, thus delaying development of insecticide resistance.