Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Development and Movement on Bacillus thuringiensis-treated Cotton Leaves

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ashfaq ◽  
S. Y. Young ◽  
R. W. McNew

Larval mortality, survivorship and movement of the bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), on and away from Bacillus thuringiensis-treated cotton leaves were investigated in the laboratory. Bacillus thuringiensis (Costar®, Novartis Crop Protection, Inc; Greensboro, NC) was applied to the upper surface of cotton leaves via a spray table in five concentrations, i.e., 0.0 (control), 0.14, 0.29, 0.58, and 1.15 kg/ha. Three-day-old H. zea larvae were released on treated leaves, kept at 30°C, and transferred to artificial diet after 12, 24, and 48 h. Significantly higher numbers of larvae were found on the lower than upper leaf surface after all three transfer times, but the numbers surviving in all treatments were similar to the control. Larval movement from the leaf to cup surface was significantly higher in B. thuringiensis-treated leaves than in the control. The mortality of larvae that were transferred from leaves to diet at 7 d after treatment was significantly higher in all treatments than in the control and highest at the highest rates (0.58 and 1.15 kg/ha). Data on survival of larvae at different locations suggest that for the first 24 h, the increase in the percentage of larvae on the inner cup surface in B. thuringiensis treatments was not due to larvae that had consumed a lethal dose, but an attempt to avoid the B. thuringiensis on the upper leaf surface. Highest larval weight was recorded in the control for all transfer times. The length of the larval period increased with the B. thuringiensis rate at the 12-h transfer. The pupal weight was reduced at the highest B. thuringiensis rates at the 48-h transfer.

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ashfaq ◽  
S. Y. Young ◽  
R. W. McNew

The effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-cotton on three instars of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) were studied. First, third and fifth instars were fed field-collected Bt-cotton leaves for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 d or until pupation, and then transferred to artificial diet. Larval mortality at pupation, length of larval and pupal periods, pupal weights and survival time from hatch to adult were recorded for regular and Bt-cotton. Larval mortality at pupation in S. exigua fed Bt-cotton was low for all instars exposed and feeding periods on Bt-cotton. The mortality in H. zea was high for first and third instars and significantly increased with the increase in feeding period on Bt-cotton (P < 0.05). The length of larval period increased in both species when first and third instars but not fifth instars were fed Bt-cotton. In H. zea, the larval period increased when larvae were on Bt-cotton leaves for only 2 d. Pupal weight was reduced with an increase in feeding time on Bt-cotton in all three instars in both species. An increase in length of feeding time on Bt-cotton reduced survival to adults in both species on Bt-cotton in first and third instars but not in fifth instars. Survival to adults was much lower in H. zea than S. exigua for all instars exposed and feeding periods on Bt-cotton. These results demonstrate the large differences in effectiveness of Bt-cotton against lepidopteran cotton pests, as well as the adverse effects on larvae developing on Bt-cotton.


Author(s):  
Eman Mohammed Abd-ElAzeem ◽  
Warda Ahmed Zaki El-Medany ◽  
Hend Mohammed Sabry

AbstractBiological activities of spores and metabolites of some fungi isolated from dead larva of the spiny bollworms (SBW), Earias insulana (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), against the newly hatched larvae of the pest were carried out. Results showed that the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae, Acremonium sp., and Paecilomyces variotii had affected the newly hatched larvae of (SBW). Acremonium sp. was the most potent one as it had the highest newly hatched larval mortality percentage (65 and 58.33%) for its spore suspension and metabolites, respectively, while the lowest one (41%) was for P. variotii metabolites. Also, spore suspensions of the all fungal isolates had the highest larval mortality than fungal metabolites. Studying the enzymatic activity showed that Acremonium sp. produced protease enzyme on media containing gelatin, which caused the highest larval mortality (72.22%).These isolates showed different effects on all stages of the pest and decreased pupal weight, adult emergence percentages, deposited eggs, and hatchability percentages than the control. Identification of Acremonium sp. EZ1 was confirmed using 18 s rRNA and its accession number MN25101.


1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 1061-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kees van Frankenhuyzen

AbstractThe relationship between temperature and pathogenesis of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. kurstaki in infected larvae of the eastern spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana Clem., was investigated to determine if more rapid death of larvae with an increase in temperature could be accounted for by enhanced bacterial growth. Cumulative mortality of larvae force-fed with a lethal dose of HD-1-S-1980 peaked within 2 days at 25 °C, 3 days at 19 °C, 7 days at 16 °C, and 21 days at 13 °C. The progress of bacterial growth in the larvae was followed from spore germination to cell lysis, and was completed within 4 days at 25 °C, 6 days at 22 °C, 12 days at 19 °C, 14 days at 16 °C, and > 28 days at 13 °C. Peak abundance of vegetative cells in the larvae was observed after 1 day at 25 °C, 2 days at 22 °C, 3 days at 19 °C, 7 days at 16 °C, and 21 days at 13 °C, and thus coincided almost exactly with the time required for maximum larval mortality. This correlation suggests that the observed effect of temperature on progression of larval mortality was due to its effect on the proliferation of vegetative cells in the infected larvae, and that bacterial septicemia makes an important contribution to death.


1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Sims ◽  
Jay C. Pershing ◽  
Barbara J. Reich

Twelve independently transformed lines of transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) expressing the CryIA(b) insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki were field tested to evaluate their resistance to the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Silks of the primary (=top) ears of transgenic [CryIA(b) positive] and isoline control plants [no CryIA(b) protein] were artificially infested with first-instar H. zea larvae and the length of ear penetration was measured after 19 d. Eight of the 12 lines had significantly less ear damage than their respective isoline controls; 3 transgenic lines reduced H. zea feeding damage by > 75% and stunted surviving H. zea larvae. Concentration of the CryIA(b) protein (μg/g fresh weight) in silks of the transgenic lines, determined using ELISA, ranged from 0.0 to 1.28 μg/g. Within transgenic lines, there was a weak (P < 0.06) negative relationship between the concentration of CryIA(b) protein in fresh silks and the length of H. zea ear penetration.


1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Ameen ◽  
J. R. Fuxa ◽  
A. R. Richter

Interactions between formulations of the aizawai and kurstaki subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner were evaluated by bioassay in Heliothis virescens (F.) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). In preliminary experiments, a formulation of subspecies aizawai, Xentari AS®, had significantly (P < 0.05) higher median lethal concentrations (LC50s) in both insect species than formulations based on subspecies kurstaki. Helicoverpa zea was significantly (P < 0.05) more susceptible than H. virescens to one formulation of subspecies kurstaki (Dipel ES®), but the two insects did not differ in susceptibility to Xentari AS® or to a second formulation of subspecies kurstaki (Dipel 6AF®). In H. virescens, Xentari AS® was additive with Dipel 6AF® and significantly (P< 0.05) antagonistic with Dipel ES® and with a third formulation of subspecies kurstaki, Dipel 48A®. In H. zea, Xentari AS® was significantly antagonistic with all three formulations of subspecies kurstaki. This suggests that certain toxin combinations from B. thuringiensis subspecies might not be effective for managing H. virescens and H. zea populations.


1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Farrar ◽  
Richard L. Ridgway

To help improve control of insect pests with microbial insecticides, we investigated the interactions of four commercial, nutrient-based phagostimulants (Pheast [AgriSense], Coax [CCT Corp.], Gusto [Atochem North America, Inc.], and Entice [Custom Chemicides] with Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and four lepidopterous insect pests (gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar [L.] [Lymantriidae]; corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea [Boddie] [Noctuidae]; European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis [Hübner] [Pyralidae]; and diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella [L.] [Plutellidae]). Comparisons were made of treated foliage in Petri dishes in the laboratory and of sprayed whole plants in a greenhouse. In general, phagostimulants increased mortality of all species tested, but no consistent differences among phagostimulants were found for any species. Food consumption was generally lower on the treatments that contained phagostimulants causing the highest rates of mortality, possibly as a result of more rapid ingestion of a lethal dose on these treatments. Reduced rates of feeding by insects on treatments with B. thuringiensis alone were seen, probably due in part to intoxication and, possibly, to behavioral effects as well. Indications of potentially significant interactions between host plants and both B. thuringiensis and phagostimulants also were seen.


1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Gallardo ◽  
D. J. Boethel

To determine the impact of the allelochemical, α-tomatine, on the soybean looper, Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), various concentrations (0.001 to 0.10% wet weight of diet [wwt]) were added to an artificial diet. Neonate larvae were fed on the diet to determine effects on larval weight, developmental time, mortality, and pupal weight. Longer development times were observed at the higher concentrations (0.05 and 0.10% wwt). Larval mortality at 0.10% α–tomatine was signficantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than all other concentrations. Larval weight was decreased by concentrations of α-tomatine above 0.005% wwt. A linear regression (Y = 217.8 - 2089.5 X, r2 = 0.90) described the relationship between larval growth and α-tomatine concentrations. The effective dose to reduce larval weight by 50% was calculated (ED50 = 0.048% wwt) and then validated in a subsequent experiment. In that study, a significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in mean body weight of 10- and 12-day-old larvae was obtained when larvae were fed diet containing the ED50 dose of α-tomatine. Percent growth relative to controls ranged from 56.1 to 52.1% at 6 and 12 days, respectively.


2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Glynn Tillman

The mortality of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), on sorghum panicles in Georgia was determined in a 2-yr study. Percent total real mortality (rx) of H. zea exceeded 99% for each year and planting date. Percent total real mortality was highest for eggs followed by 1st instars. Parasitization and predation were the primary mortality factors for eggs on sorghum panicles. Larval mortality was due in part to predation, parasitization, and infection by pathogens. Trichogramma pretiosum Riley was the only egg parasitoid observed on sorghum panicles. Orius insidiosus (Say) was the predominant predator of H. zea. Other predators observed feeding on H. zea included the big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Say), the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), green lynx spiders, Peucetia viridans (Hentz), and lady beetles (mainly Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville). A variety of parasitoids attacked larvae on sorghum. The braconid Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) parasitized small to medium-sized larvae. The tachinids Eucelatoria rubentis Coquillett and Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) parasitized large larvae. Two pathogens, HzNPV, a naturally-occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus of H. zea, and the fungus, Entomophthora aulicae (Reichardt) G. Winter, caused mortality of larvae. In conclusion, biological control by natural enemies of H. zea on sorghum panicles resulted in significant mortality for this pest.


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