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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #105619
Title: DISPERSAL OF ADULT EUROPEAN CORN BORER (LEPIDOPTERA: CRAMBIDAE) WITHIN AND PROXIMAL TO IRRIGATED AND NON-IRRIGATED CORN

Author
item HUNT, THOMAS - UNIV. OF NEBRASKA
item HIGLEY, LEON - UNIV. OF NEBRASKA
item WITKOWSKI, JOHN - UNIV. OF NEBRASKA
item YOUNG, LINDA - UNIV. OF NEBRASKA
item Hellmich Ii, Richard

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Several types of genetically-engineered (transgenic) plants have been produced that kill insects when they feed. Scientists and crop producers are excited about these plants because they offer an effective way to kill pests without conventional chemical insecticides. Reduced chemical usage translates into less surface and ground water contamination. Dramatic control of pests on these plants, however, has many scientists concerned about pests becoming resistant to these plants. In this study we evaluated dispersal patterns of European corn borer adults near irrigated and nonirrigated cornfields. We found there was a tendency for adults to stay in or near irrigated cornfields and to fly away from nonirrigated cornfields. This information will be useful for stakeholders (scientists, companies that produce these plants, producers, and consumers) interested in prolonging the value of transgenic plants.

Technical Abstract: European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, causes economic damage to corn throughout the Corn Belt. Modeling efforts addressing the management of corn borer resistance to Bt transgenic corn require information on adult European corn borer dispersal and factors affecting its dispersal. In 1998 we conducted mark-release-recapture and release-recapture studies to compare local dispersal patterns of corn borer moths in and near irrigated and nonirrigated cornfields. Releases of marked adults were made corresponding to the first and second flight of corn borer in eastern Nebraska. Released adults tended to remain in and near irrigated cornfields but dispersed out of and away from nonirrigated cornfields. Moths also showed a preference for the corn habitat even when they were released near mixed smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis, or broadleaf weeds at the edge of the field. Mating efficiency was similar whether the moths mated in a late- -season cornfield or in dense foxtail, Setaria spp. Generally, we found tha adult corn borer dispersal may vary depending on variables such as aggregation-site availability and agronomic practices and their interaction with corn borer life history.