2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) 1) Determine how first- and second-generation ECB injury to blended refuge plants will compare to injury on plants in a separate, pure stand refuge planting;. 2)Determine if the injury to HXX x MON810 plants adjacent to blended refuge plants will significantly change compared to injury to HXX x MON810 plants in a separate, pure stand planting;. 3)Determine field-scale efficacy ratings for first- and second-generation ECB to characterize the overall field performance of HXX x MON810 when a low percentage of refuge plants are deployed in the field as a seed blend. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) This protocol utilizes small plot replicated trials to evaluate the efficacy of Herculex XTRA stacked with YieldGard Corn Borer (HXX x MON810) against first and second generation ECB when refuge plants are deployed as a seed blend. Data from these trials will be used to calculate weighted first- and second-generation ECB efficacy scores to assess the overall field-scale efficacy of the Optimum AcreMax 2 product concept against ECB. 3.Progress Report Progress was made to determine how first- and second-generation European corn borer injury to blended [growing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-corn and non-Bt-corn plants side-by-side] refuge plants will compare to injury on plants in separate, pure stand non-Bt-corn refuge plantings. Progress was also made comparing the efficacy of growing. 1)pyramided Bt-corn (corn with more than one type of insect toxin in their tissues) next to blended refuge, to. 2)pyramided plants in pure stand plantings. The corn was planted into small replicated plots. The experiment was completed and the report was provided to the cooperator. The project is related to the objective "Improve knowledge of the ecology, genetics, and behavior of corn pests such as corn borer, corn rootworm, and western bean cutworm in relation to pest abundance and insect resistance to transgenic corn" of the in-house project (3625-22000-017-00D). Progress of the project was monitored by frequent interactions with the cooperator in the field and via phone calls and email.