Understanding life history traits and inheritance of resistance in the first field-evolved Cry1F-resistant populations of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis, Hubner) in Canada

Monday, November 14, 2022

9:48 AM – 10:00 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 208/209

Presenting Author(s)

Emily Glasgow

Graduate Student
University of Guelph
Dresden, Ontario, Canada

Co-Author(s)

Yasmine Farhan

Research Associate
University of Guelph
Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
RH

Rebecca H. Hallett

University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Jocelyn L. Smith

Research Scientist
University of Guelph
Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada

The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), is a major crop pest in North America. Ostrinia nubilalis is primarily managed using transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) expressing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The first case of field-evolved Bt resistance in O. nubilalis was discovered in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada, in 2018. When developing resistance mitigation strategies, consideration should be given to life history characteristics and inheritance of the resistance trait. However, due to the long-term success of O. nubilalis management using Bt corn hybrids, much of the available life history information is out-dated and information on field-evolved Cry1F resistance in O. nubilalis is unavailable. For this project, the lifespan, fecundity, and developmental time were compared among susceptible, Cry1F-resistant, and reciprocal crosses in laboratory experiments. Additionally, diet overlay and leaf tissue bioassays were conducted using progeny of the crosses to determine the inheritance of Cry1F resistance . The results of these studies will be used to determine whether there are fitness costs associated with the Nova Scotia Cry1F-resistant population and how resistance will spread to inform mitigation strategies.