Mating Patterns and Bt Resistance in European Corn Borers
Author Information
Author(s): Ambroise Dalecky, Sergine Ponsard, Richard Bailey, Céline Pélissier, Denis Bourguet
Hypothesis
How do mating and dispersal behaviors of European corn borers affect the evolution of resistance to Bt crops?
Conclusion
The study found that many European corn borers mate locally before dispersing, which may undermine the effectiveness of the high-dose refuge strategy for managing pest resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- European corn borers can disperse over half a mile but may not do so routinely.
- Females were found to mate randomly with both resident and immigrant males.
- Up to 57% of newly emerged females mate locally before dispersing.
- Marked moths were recaptured at an average rate of about 4%.
Takeaway
The researchers found that many corn borer moths mate close to where they were born before flying away, which could make it harder to control their resistance to pest-resistant crops.
Methodology
The researchers released and recaptured moths in crop fields over three breeding seasons, using biochemical markers and color-coded ink to track mating and dispersal.
Limitations
The study may not account for all environmental factors affecting moth behavior and resistance evolution.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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