First transgenic trait for control of plant bugs and thrips in cotton

Abstract

BACKGROUND Plant bugs (Lygus spp.) and thrips (Thrips spp.) are two of the most economically important insect pest groups impacting cotton production in the USA today, but are not controlled by current transgenic cotton varieties. Thus, seed or foliar‐applied chemical insecticides are typically required to protect cotton from these pest groups. Currently, these pests are resistant to several insecticides, resulting in fewer options for economically viable management. Previous publications documented the efficacy of transgenic cotton event MON 88702 against plant bugs and thrips in limited laboratory and field studies. Here, we report results from multi‐location and multi‐year field studies demonstrating efficacy provided by MON 88702 against various levels of these pests. RESULTS MON 88702 provided a significant reduction in numbers of Lygus nymphs and subsequent yield advantage. MON 88702 also had fewer thrips and minimal injury. The level of control demonstrated by this transgenic trait was significantly better compared with its non‐transgenic near‐isoline, DP393, receiving insecticides at current commercial rates. CONCLUSION The level of efficacy demonstrated here suggests that MON 88702, when incorporated into existing IPM programs, could become a valuable additional tool for management of Lygus and thrips in cotton agroecosystems experiencing challenges of resistance to existing chemical control strategies. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Novel mechanism of thrips suppression by Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin expressed in cotton

“…This result suggests that adult females of both species can detect and avoid the presence of MON 88702 expressed in cotton seedlings. Because MON 88702 had limited acute adult toxicity, these behavioral differences may be the most significant factor driving differences in F. fusca damage observed in field studies measuring efficacy …”

“…Bayer has developed MON 88702 cotton, the first crop that expresses Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin to control targeted hemipteran and thysanopteran crop pests . The Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin (hereafter referred to as MON 88702) expressed in cotton was modified to selectively enhance insecticidal activity against piercing‐sucking pests .…”

“…The Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin (hereafter referred to as MON 88702) expressed in cotton was modified to selectively enhance insecticidal activity against piercing‐sucking pests . In the United States, the MON 88702 Bt toxin will target tobacco thrips ( Frankliniella fusca Hinds), western flower thrips ( Frankliniella occidentalis Pergrande), and tarnished plant bugs ( Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois, L. hesperus Knight) . Development of the MON 88702 toxin in cotton has been driven by ongoing need to more effectively control these piercing‐sucking insect herbivores, which comprise a pest complex that currently requires multiple insecticide inputs for season‐long pest management.…”

“…Field trials have demonstrated that cotton seedlings expressing MON 88702 support lower F. fusca adult and larval infestations and sustain less feeding damage through the period of susceptibility from seedling emergence through the 4–5 true‐leaf stage . Further study of population development in a choice experiment revealed that the presence of MON 88702 was associated with reduced oviposition when compared to non‐ Bt cotton .…”

“…10 Bayer has developed MON 88702 cotton, the first crop that expresses Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin to control targeted hemipteran and thysanopteran crop pests. 11,12 The Cry51Aa2.834_16 Bt toxin (hereafter referred to as MON 88702) expressed in cotton was modified to selectively enhance insecticidal activity against piercing-sucking pests. 11,13 In the United States, the MON 88702 Bt toxin will target tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds), western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergrande), and tarnished plant bugs (Lygus lineolaris Palisot de Beauvois, L. hesperus Knight).…”