Performance of cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 insecticidal proteins against Helicoverpa armigera, H. zea and their hybrid progeny, and evidence of reduced susceptibility of a field population of H. zea to Cry1 and Vip3Aa in Brazil.

The genetically modified cotton DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) has been cultivated in Brazil since the 2020/2021 season. Here, we assessed the performance of DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton expressing Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19 against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and their hybrid progeny. We also carried out evaluations with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton containing Cry1Ac and Cry1F. In leaf-disk bioassays, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 was effective in controlling neonates from laboratory colonies of H. armigera, H. zea and the hybrid progeny (71.9%-100% mortality). On floral bud bioassays using L2 larvae, H. zea presented complete mortality, whereas H. armigera and the hybrid progeny showed <55% mortality. On DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 cotton, the mortality of H. armigera on leaf-disk and floral buds ranged from 60% to 73%, whereas mortality of hybrids was <46%. This Bt cotton caused complete mortality of H. zea larvae from a laboratory colony in the early growth stages, but mortalities were <55% on advanced growth stages and on floral buds. In field studies conducted from 2014 to 2019, DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton was also effective at protecting plants against H. armigera. In contrast, a population of H. zea collected in western Bahia in 2021/2022 on Bt cotton expressing Cry1 and Vip3Aa proteins, showed 63% mortality after 30 d, with insects developing into fifth and sixth instars, on DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton. We conclude that H. armigera, H. zea, and their hybrid progeny can be managed with DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton; however we found the first evidence in Brazil of a significant reduction in the susceptibility to DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton of a population of H. zea collected from Bt cotton in Bahia in 2021/2022.

Field efficacy of Bt cotton containing events DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 against lepidopteran pests and impact on the non-target arthropod community in Brazil.

The efficacy and non-target arthropod effects of transgenic DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 Bt cotton, expressing proteins Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Vip3Aa19, was examined through field trials in Brazil. Fifteen field efficacy experiments were conducted from 2014 through the 2020 growing season across six different states in Brazil to evaluate performance against key lepidopteran pests through artificial infestations of Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith,1797), Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) and Chloridea virescens (F., 1781), and natural infestations of Alabama argillacea (Hübner) and S. frugiperda. The impact of this Bt cotton technology on the non-target arthropod community in Brazilian cotton production systems was also assessed in a multi-site experiment. DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 cotton significantly reduced the feeding damage caused by S. frugiperda, S. cosmioides, C. includens, C. virescens and A. argillacea, causing high levels of mortality (greater than 99%) to all target lepidopteran pests evaluated during vegetative and/or reproductive stages of crop development. Non-target arthropod community-level analyses confirmed no unintended effects on the arthropod groups monitored. These results demonstrate the value of transgenic Bt cotton containing event DAS-21023-5 × DAS-24236-5 × SYN-IR102-7 for consideration as part of an integrated approach for managing key lepidopteran pests in Brazilian cotton production systems.

Assessing the Efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Pyramided Proteins Cry1F, Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2, and Vip3Aa20 Expressed in Bt Maize Against Lepidopteran Pests in Brazil.

Field studies across four states in maize-producing areas of Brazil were conducted to characterize the efficacy of a new pyramided Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner technology in maize, Zea mays L., and compare it to existing single and pyramided commercial Bt technologies, to control Helicoverpa zea Boddie (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Elasmopalpus lignosellus Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). Bt maize expressing Vip3Aa20 protein and pyramided Bt maize expressing proteins Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 + Vip3Aa20 provided excellent protection against kernel feeding by H. zea compared to Bt technologies expressing only Cry1F or Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2. Bt maize expressing Cry1F, Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2, Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2, and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 + Vip3Aa20 resulted in less than 5% of plants injured by E. lignosellus, significantly less than Bt maize expressing only Vip3Aa20 and a non-Bt maize iso-hybrid with and without a thiamethoxam seed treatment. The highest protection against plant cutting injury caused by A. ipsilon was observed in the pyramid Bt maize technology expressing Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 + Vip3Aa20. However, it did not differ statistically from the Bt maize expressing Vip3Aa20, Cry1F, or Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2. All Bt maize hybrids evaluated in our study were highly effective in reducing tunneling injury caused by D. saccharalis. These results show that a new maize technology expressing pyramided Bt proteins Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 + Vip3Aa20 offers a higher level of protection from feeding by the above lepidopteran pest complex compared to maize with a single Bt protein or double pyramided Bt proteins.

Impact of transgenic soybean expressing Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins on the non-target arthropod community associated with soybean in Brazil.

Field-scale studies that examine the potential for adverse effects of Bt crop technology on non-target arthropods may supplement data from laboratory studies to support an environmental risk assessment. A three year field study was conducted in Brazil to evaluate potential for adverse effects of cultivating soybean event DAS-81419-2 that produces the Cry1Ac and Cry1F proteins. To do so, we examined the diversity and abundance of non-target arthropods (NTAs) in Bt soybean in comparison with its non-Bt near isoline, with and without conventional insecticide applications, in three Brazilian soybean producing regions. Non-target arthropod abundance was surveyed using Moericke traps (yellow pan) and pitfall trapping. Total abundance (N), richness (S), Shannon-Wiener (H'), Simpson's (D) and Pielou's evenness (J) values for arthropod samples were calculated for each treatment and sampling period (soybean growth stages). A faunistic analysis was used to select the most representative NTAs which were used to describe the NTA community structure associated with soybean, and to test for effects due to the treatments effects via application of the Principal Response Curve (PRC) method. Across all years and sites, a total of 254,054 individuals from 190 taxa were collected by Moericke traps, while 29,813 individuals from 100 taxa were collected using pitfall traps. Across sites and sampling dates, the abundance and diversity measurements of representative NTAs were not significantly affected by Bt soybean as compared with non-sprayed non-Bt soybean. Similarly, community analyses and repeated measures ANOVA, when applicable, indicated that neither Bt soybean nor insecticide sprays altered the structure of the NTA communities under study. These results support the conclusion that transgenic soybean event DAS-81419-2 producing Cry1Ac and Cry1F toxins does not adversely affect the NTA community associated with soybean.

Non-target effects of two sunflower seed treatments on Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae).

BACKGROUND: Systemic insecticides used as seed treatments are generally considered to be safe for natural enemies. However, predatory insects may feed directly on plants or use plant products to supplement their diet. This study examined whether chlorantraniliprole or thiamethoxam might negatively impact Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) when bugs utilize sunflowers grown from treated seed. RESULTS: When eggs of O. insidiosus were laid in the stems of treated sunflower seedlings (two-leaf stage), thiamethoxam reduced egg viability and the longevity of females hatching from these eggs, whereas chlorantraniliprole reduced female survival. Thiamethoxam, but not chlorantraniliprole, reduced female fertility in six-leaf-stage plants. Nymphs exposed to thiamethoxam-treated seedlings had reduced survival, delayed development and reduced fecundity as adults, relative to other treatments, whereas chlorantraniliprole delayed oviposition. Nymphs exposed to six-leaf-stage plants did not differ from controls in either treatment. Adults exposed to treated plants expressed no significant differences among treatments for any parameter evaluated for either plant growth stage. CONCLUSION: Thiamethoxam treatment on sunflower seeds caused lethal and sublethal effects on O. insidiosus, whereas chlorantraniliprole was not lethal to any life stage, although sublethal effects were evident. The nymphal stage was most susceptible, and insecticidal toxicity diminished with plant development.

[Toxicity of pesticides recommended in the integrated apple production (IAP) to populations of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)]. / Toxicidade de pesticidas recomendados na produção integrada de maçã (PIM) a populações de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

The goal of this work was to evaluate the effects of the pesticides abamectin, carbaryl, fenitrothion, methidathion, sulphur and trichlorfon on eggs of two Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) populations, as well as on the subsequent developmental stages and reproduction capacity of this green lacewing. Pesticide exposure and distilled water (control) were accomplished using a Potter's tower. None of the evaluated pesticides affected the egg viability of the C. externa populations studied, but abamectin and carbaryl caused significant mortality of other developmental stages of the predator. Sex ratio and reproduction capacity of females originated from treated eggs were unaffected. However, egg viability of C. externa from Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil, was reduced by sulphur. Considering to the total effect (E) of each pesticide, trichlorfon, fenitrothion, methidathion and abamectin were harmless to both C. externa populations (Bento Gonçalves and Vacaria), when applied on eggs, whereas carbaryl was slightly harmful. On the other hand, the fungicide sulphur was slightly harmful to C. externa from Bento Gonçalves, but harmless to those from Vacaria.

Toxicidade de pesticidas recomendados na produção integrada de maçã (PIM) a populações de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) / Toxicity of pesticides recommended in the integrated apple production (IAP) to populations of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Os efeitos dos pesticidas abamectim, carbaril, fenitrotiom, metidatiom, enxofre e triclorfom foram avaliados sobre a fase de ovo de duas populações de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen), bem como sobre as fases subsequentes do desenvolvimento e reprodução do predador. A pulverização dos pesticidas e de água destilada (testemunha) sobre ovos de C. externa foi realizada por meio de torre de Potter. Nenhum dos pesticidas avaliados reduziu a viabilidade de ovos tratados, independente da população de C. externa estudada. Para as demais fases de desenvolvimento, apenas carbaril causou mortalidade acumulada significativa de ambas as populações quando em comparação aos demais pesticidas. A razão sexual dos adultos obtidos não foi afetada por nenhum dos compostos. Nenhum dos pesticidas afetou negativamente a capacidade de oviposição de fêmeas de C. externa oriundas de ovos tratados. No entanto, enxofre reduziu a viabilidade de ovos depositados por fêmeas da população de Bento Gonçalves. Considerando-se o efeito total (E) de cada pesticida, triclorfom, fenitrotiom, metidatiom e abamectim foram inócuos a ambas as populações de C. externa quando aplicados sobre seus ovos, enquanto carbaril foi considerado levemente prejudicial; o fungicida enxofre, por outro lado, foi considerado levemente prejudicial à população de Bento Gonçalves, e inócuo aos insetos da população de Vacaria.

The goal of this work was to evaluate the effects of the pesticides abamectin, carbaryl, fenitrothion, methidathion, sulphur and trichlorfon on eggs of two Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) populations, as well as on the subsequent developmental stages and reproduction capacity of this green lacewing. Pesticide exposure and distilled water (control) were accomplished using a Potter's tower. None of the evaluated pesticides affected the egg viability of the C. externa populations studied, but abamectin and carbaryl caused significant mortality of other developmental stages of the predator. Sex ratio and reproduction capacity of females originated from treated eggs were unaffected. However, egg viability of C. externa from Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil, was reduced by sulphur. Considering to the total effect (E) of each pesticide, trichlorfon, fenitrothion, methidathion and abamectin were harmless to both C. externa populations (Bento Gonçalves and Vacaria), when applied on eggs, whereas carbaryl was slightly harmful. On the other hand, the fungicide sulphur was slightly harmful to C. externa from Bento Gonçalves, but harmless to those from Vacaria.