NCCC46: Development, Optimization, and Delivery of Management Strategies for Corn Rootworms and Other Below-ground Insect Pests of Maize

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/06/2012] [08/16/2012] [12/04/2012] [04/08/2013] [06/27/2013] [07/24/2014] [03/06/2015]

Date of Annual Report: 08/06/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/24/2012 - 01/26/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2010 - 09/01/2011

Participants

Avila, Crebio (crebio@cpao.embrapa.br) - EMBRAPA, Brasil; Bledsoe, Larry (lbledsoe@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; Boetel, Mark (mark.boetel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University; Coates, Brad (Brad.Coates@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, Ames; DiFonzo, Chris (difonzo@msu.edu) - Michigan State University; Estes, Ron (restes@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Fuller, Billy (Billy.Fuller@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University; Gray, Michael (megray@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Hammond, Ron (hammond.5@osu.edu) - Ohio State University; Hellmich, Richard (Richard.Hellmich@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, Ames; Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu) - USDA-ARS, Columbia; Hughson, Sarah (hughson2@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Kang, Jung-Koo (kang61@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Krupke, Christian (ckrupke@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; McManus, Bradley (Bradley.McManus@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; Meinke, Lance (lmeinke@unlnotes.unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Porter, Patrick (pporter@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University; Pueppke, Steve (pueppke@anr.msu.edu) - Michigan State University; Sappington, Tom (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS, Ames; Schaafsma, Art (aschaafs@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph; Shields, Elson (es28@cornell.edu) - Cornell University; Siegfried, Blair (bsiegfri@unlnotes.unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Smith, Jocelyn (jsmith@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph; Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Tinsley, Nick (tinsley@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Tooker, John (jft11@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania State University; White, Jennifer (jenawhite@uky.edu) - University of Kentucky; Wright, Robert (rwright@unlnotes.unl.edu) -University of Nebraska; Zhou, Xuguo (Joe) (xuguozhou@uky.edu) - University of Kentucky; EPA Guests (morning of Jan. 25): Jeannette Martinez, EPA and Alan Reynolds, EPA.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

First report of field-evolved resistance to a Bt toxin by the western corn rootworm and by any species of Coleoptera was reported from Iowa (Gassmann et al. 2011). Insufficient planting of refuges and non-recessive inheritance of resistance may have contributed to resistance. These results suggest that improvements in resistance management and a more integrated approach to the use of Bt crops may be necessary. Next-generation genomic sequencing was used to test 1,710 molecular genetic markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from western corn rootworm, and of these, 661 were verified, and 353 were used to create a genetic linkage map (USDA -ARS Corn Insect Research Unit, Ames, IA). The size of the western corn rootworm genome was confirmed to be extremely large, at 2.58 billion base pairs, and representative regions of this insects genome were sequenced. Results indicate that genes occupy only about 9% of the genome, whereas other regions are composed of repetitive and mobile DNA sequences, which are responsible for the large genome size. (USDA -ARS Corn Insect Research Unit, Ames, IA). University of Illinois data (Joe Spencer) suggest that a seed blend is superior to block refuges for moving and mixing mate-seeking WCR. Analyses of the individual WCR collected in 2011 continue. It is important to pay attention to what insects are actually doing because their behavior, not assumptions about their behavior, determine how well refuge designs function.

Publications

Gassmann, A. J., Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Keweshan, R. S., and Dunbar, M. W. (2011). Field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm. PLoS ONE 6(7): e22629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022629 Murphy, A. F., Seiter, N. J., & Krupke, C. H. (2011). The impact of Bt maize as a natal host on adult head capsule width in field populations of western corn rootworm.. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 139. Onstad, D.W., P.D. Mitchell, T.M. Hurley, J.G. Lundgren, R. P. Porter, C.H. Krupke, J.L. Spencer, C.D. DiFonzo, T.S. Baute, R.L. Hellmich, L. Buschman, W.D. Hutchison, J.F. Tooker. (2011). Seeds of Change: Corn Seed Mixtures for Resistance Management and IPM. Journal of Economic Entomology, 104(2):343-352. Raghu, S., J.L. Spencer, A.S. Davis, and R.N. Wiedenmann. (2011). Ecological considerations for the sustainable development of terrestrial biofuel crops. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 3:15-23. Hibbard, B.E., D.L. Frank, R. Kurtz, E. Boudreau, M.R. Ellersieck, and J.F. Odhiambo. (2011). Mortality impact of Bt transgenic maize roots expressing eCry3.1Ab, mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab+mCry3A on western corn rootworm in the field. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1584-1591. Meihls, L.N., M.L. Higdon, M. Ellersieck, and B.E. Hibbard. (2011). Selection for resistance to mCry3A-expressing transgenic corn in western corn rootworm. J. Econ. Entomol. 104:1045-1054. Bernklau, E.J., L.B. Bjostad, and B.E. Hibbard. (2011). Synthetic feeding stimulants enhance insecticide activity against western corn rootworm larvae, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 135: 47-54.

Impact Statements

During Summer 2011, University of Illinois Extension Entomologist Dr. Mike Gray investigated multiple reports of greater than expected injury to rootworm-protected Bt corn. In a series of articles published in the online extension publication,The Bulletin, Dr. Gray alerted Illinois corn producers to the circumstances associated with putative-resistance to Bt corn and provided IPM-based options to mitigate risk of resistance while managing corn rootworm injury.
To assist corn growers and agricultural professionals in choosing among, and properly implementing resistance management for, transgenic Bt corn traits, an extension publication was developed by Michigan State University (Chris DiFonzo) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (Eileen Cullen). The Handy Bt Trait Table is the only one of its kind that provides an up-to-date comparison of traits from all seed companies; this is increasingly important because of the adoption of reduced refuges and seed mixtures, which created a confusing mix of trait families and companies. This resource is an acknowledged source of trait information for extension educators, agribusinesses, seed dealers, and producers in the Midwest. It is available on web sites free of charge and has been reprinted (with attribution) in agricultural media publications and referenced by US EPA. The base document was modified by Texas A&M for use in the south.
Next-generation genomic sequencing markers and linkage map of western corn rootworm developed by USDA-ARS Corn Insect Research Unit in Ames, IA (Brad Coates, Tom Sappington, Rick Hellmich) are being used by scientists in genome scan and other genetic experiments to identify genes involved in Bt, rotation, and conventional insecticide resistance. The map is being used by an international team of scientists to help reconstruct the correct ordering of DNA sequences emerging from the ongoing whole-genome sequencing project. A subset of the SNP markers have been developed for use in population genetics studies, and have been shown to be sensitive enough to estimate long-range dispersal for the first time.
The size of the western corn rootworm genome was confirmed at 2.58 billion base pairs, and representative regions of this genome were sequenced by the USDA-ARS Corn Insect Research Unit in Ames, IA (Brad Coates, Tom Sappington, Rick Hellmich). This information will be used by an international team of scientists to help reconstruct the correct ordering of DNA sequences emerging from the ongoing whole-genome sequencing project.

Date of Annual Report: 08/16/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/18/2012 - 06/19/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

Abel, Craig (craig.abel@ars. usda.gov) - USDA ARS Ames, IA; Andow, David (dandow@umn.edu)-University of Minnesota; Blodgett, Susan (sblodg@mail.iastate.edu)-Iowa State University; Coates, Brad (Brad.Coates@ars.usda.gov) - USDA ARS, Ames, IA; Cullen, Eileen (cullen@entomology.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; French, Wade (Wade.French@ars.usda.gov)-USDA ARS Brookings, SD; Fuller, Billy (Billy.Fuller@sdstate.edu)-South Dakota State University; Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu)-Iowa State University; Gray, Michael (megray@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Hellmich, Richard (Richard.Hellmich@ars.usda.gov) - USDA ARS Ames, IA; Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu)-USDA ARS/University of Missouri; Hunt, Thomas (thunt@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska; Krupke, Christian (ckrupke@purdue.edu)-Purdue University; Mason, Charles (mason@udel.edu)-University of Delaware; Meinke, Lance (lmeinke@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska; Michel, Andy (michel.70@osu.edu)-The Ohio State University; Murrell, Ebony (murrell2@wisc.edu)-University of Wisconsin; Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu)-University of Minnesota; Porter, Pat (pporter@ag.tamu.edu)-Texas A&M University; Pueppke, Steve (pueppke@anr.msu.edu)-Michigan State University; Sappington, Thomas (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov)-USDA ARS Ames, IA; Schaafsma, Art (aschaafs@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca)-University of Guelph; Shields, Elson (es28@cornell.edu)-Cornell University); Siegfried, Blair (bsiegfri@unlnotes.unl.edu)-University of Nebraska; Spencer, Joseph (spencer1@illinois.edu)-University of Illinois; Sun, Jing (jingsun@iastate.edu)-USDA ARS/Iowa State University; Wintersteen, Wendy (wwinters@iastate.edu)-Iowa State University.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

22 NCCC46 and NC205 members submitted a letter to the EPA Open Docket Plant-Incorporated Protectant Insect Resistance Management (IRM) titled "Comment submitted by Patrick Porter, North Central Coordinating Committee NCCC46 (22 members)" concerning western corn rootworm resistance to Bt corn and focus on IPM and IRM in U.S. corn production (March 2012). Submitted multi-state funding proposal to Agricultural Experiment Station Directors titled "Need for research and coordination to sustain the use of Bt corn in the USA". Proposal accepted by AES directors April 2012 with AES directors issuing a resolution of support for this effort. Proposed work will cover research and extension initiatives to preserve efficacy and use of Bt corn, clarify scientific definitions of resistance, operationalize these definitions in regulatory terms, identify and fill research data gaps on resistance development and improve information flow on insect resistance in Bt crops between public sector scientists, producers and registrants.

Publications

Impact Statements

The June 18-19, 2012 interim meeting of NCCC46 and NC205 was authorized as a planning meeting to organize 3 additional meetings (Oct. 2012; Jan. 2013; Mar. 2013) as outlined in meeting minutes.
Cumulative impacts resulting from the June 18-19, 2012 and October 23-24, 2012 meetings will be featured in the NCCC46 Annual Report following the January 2013 meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Date of Annual Report: 12/04/2012

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/23/2012 - 10/24/2012
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

Andow, David (dandow@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Armstrong, Richard (richarm@qwestoffice.net) - Crop Consultant, Minnesota; Bjostad, Louis (louis.bjostad@colostate.edu) - Colorado State University; Caprio, Michael (mcaprio@entomology.msstate.edu) - Mississippi State University; Cullen, Eileen (cullen@entomology.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; Farias, Juliano (julianofarias@gmail.com) - University of Minnesota; Faur, David (david.pfaur@pioneer.com) - Pioneer Hi-Bred, Minnesota; Fields, Nathan (fields@ncga.com)- National Corn Growers Association;
French, Lee (lfrench@rrcnet.org) - University of Minnesota; French, Wade (wade.french@ars.usda.gov) - USDA ARS Brookings, SD; Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University;
Gray, Michael (megray@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Hammond, Ron (Hammond.5@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University; Hellmich, Richard (richard.hellmich@ars.usda.gov) - USDA ARS Ames, IA; Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu) - USDA ARS/University of Missouri; Hunt, Thomas (thunt2@unl.edu) University of Nebraska; Hurley, Terrance (tmh@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Hutchison, Bill (hutch002@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Larson, Van (vjlarson@rconnect.com) - Crop Consultant, Minnesota; Martinez, Jeannette (martinez.jeannette@epa.gov) - US EPA Washington, DC;
Mason, Chuck (mason@udel.edu) - University of Delaware; Mayer, Randy (randy.mayer@cpsagu.com) - Farmer, Minnesota; McManus, Bradley (bradley.mcmanus@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University;
Meinke, Lance (lmeinke1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Milonas, Panos (panag006@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Mitchell, Paul (pdmitchell@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Ponce De Leon, Abel (apl@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Porter, Patrick (p-porter@tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University; Potter, Bruce (bpotter@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Ramos, Renata (renataramosp@gmai.com) - University of Nebraska; Sappington, Tom (tom.sappington@ars.usda.gov) - USDA ARS Ames, IA; Schaafsma, Art (aschaafs@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph; Schrader, Keith (kcschrad@hotmail.com) - Farmer, Minnesota; Siegfried, Blair (bsiegfried1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Sodeman, Steve (ssodeman@mvtvwireless.com) - Farmer, Minnesota; Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Szczepaniec, Ada(adrianna.szczepaniec@sdstate.edu)-South Dakota State University; Tenhumberg, Brigitte (btenhumberg2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Wright, Robert (rwright2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Xavier, Vania (vaniamxavier@gmail.com) - University of Nebraska

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Second meeing in a series of three special interim meetings among public-sector scientists, drawing primarily from the membership of NC-205 and NCCC-46, to (a) clarify and develop a consensus around a series of terms about insect resistance that can be used both in scientific discourse and in regulatory documents, (b) operationalize these definitions ased on presently available monitoring methodologies and methodologies that are likely to be developed in the near future, and (c) link response/mitigation measures to these definitions.

Publications

None to report for this period (special interim meeting)

Impact Statements

None to report for this period (special interim meeting)

Date of Annual Report: 04/08/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/21/2013 - 01/23/2013
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2011 - 09/01/2012

Participants

Barman, Apurba - Purdue University; Boetel, Mark (mark.boetel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University; Bledsoe, Larry (lbledsoe@purdue.edu) - Purdue University; Bynum, Ed (EBynum@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University; Cullen, Eileen (cullen@entomology.wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin; DiFonzo, Chris (difonzo@msu.edu) -Michigan State University; Dively, Galen (galen@umd.edu) - University of Maryland; Fuller, Billy (Billy.Fuller@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; French, Wade (Wade.French@ars.usda.gov) - South Dakota State University; Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University; Gray, Mike (megray@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Hammond, Ron (hammond.5@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University; Hellmich, Rick (Richard.Hellmich@ars.usda.gov) - USDA - ARS and Iowa State University; Hibbard, Bruce (HibbardB@missouri.edu) - USDA-ARS and University of Missouri; Hitchon, Andrea - University of Guelph; Huang, Fangneng (fhuang@agcenter.lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University; Mason, Chuck (mason@udel.edu) - University of Delaware; McManus, Brad (Bradley.McManus@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University; Meinke, Lance (lmeinke@unlnotes.unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota; Pereira, Adriano (aelias374@yahoo.com.br) - University of Nebraska; Porter, Pat (pporter@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University; Pueppke, Steve (pueppke@anr.msu.edu) - Michigan State University; Sappington, Tom (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS and Iowa State University); Schaafsma, Art (aschaafs@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph; Siegfried, Blair (bsiegfri@unlnotes.unl.edu) - University of Nebraska; Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Smith, Jocelyn (jsmith@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph; Tooker, John (jft11@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania State University; Zukoff, Sarah - Kansas State University.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

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Accomplishments

Accomplishments: March 7, 2012: 22 NCCC46 scientists submitted a letter to US Environmental Protection Agency providing recommendations to sustain the use of transgenic Bt corn in the United States. The letter provides clear information on the occurrence of CRW resistance to the Cry3Bb1 Bt corn hybrid event, and provides IPM recommendations to prevent or slow the spread of further resistance over the long term. Contents of the letter were widely distributed in local, state and national news media in 2012. EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0922-0013. Porter, P., E. Cullen, T. Sappington, A. Schaafsma, S. Pueppke, D. Andow, J. Bradshaw, L. Buschman, Y. Cardoza, C. DiFonzo, et al. 2012. Comment submitted by Patrick Porter, North Central Coordinating Committee NCCC46. http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0922-0013 The NCRA Agricultural Experiment Station Directors approved a proposal co-authored by Eileen Cullen (University of Wisconsin Madison) and David Andow (University of Minnesota) to provide financial resources necessary for North Central Region corn insect entomologists to develop a regional research and extension approach to further data on resistance, communication of results and resolution of the problem with IPM recommendations. " Total funded for NCCC46 and NC205 corn insect entomologist NCRA committees to hold three project meetings: (June 2012, Ames, IA; October 2013, Mpls, MN; March 2013, Mpls, MN): $90,000 " Total funded for corn rootworm bioassays: $46,900 " Total funded for corn grower focus groups in affected areas: $39,031 The North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural and Experiment Station Directors issued a written resolution of support for the work of NCCC-46 corn insect entomologists in identifying Bt resistance in corn rootworm, and efforts to communicate these findings to the EPA and other stakeholders. Specifically, the NCRA recognized NCCC-46 proactive approach to clarifying the extent of the problem and its implications for corn production in the North Central Region. During the 2012 growing season, NCCC-46 scientists monitored transgenic Bt-rootworm cornfields throughout the North Central region. Corn roots were sampled from each field and assigned a node-injury score from 0 to 3. Cornfields with a node-injury score of 1.0 or higher were classified as an unexpected damage location. Field history information was collected for each location going back 3 or more years (e.g., crop rotation, Bt trait use, insecticide use and refuge placement if available). Approximately 45 WCR populations were collected across six states from Bt rootworm protected cornfields with higher than expected root damage (MN, IL, IA, NE, MI, SD). Field-collected WCR populations have been sent to participating NCCC-46 public university laboratories and corn plant-based greenhouse assays are underway to determine resistance status of individual field populations from 2012 field collections. NCCC-46 members (Art Schaafsma University of Guelph, Christian Krupke Purdue University, and John Tooker Pennsylvania State University) organized a P-IE Section Symposium at the 2012 Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting titled Remember IPM? Risks and Benefits of Global Expansion of Transgenes and Insecticide Seed Treatments in Field Crops http://esa.confex.com/esa/2012/webprogram/Session17990.html The symposium was well attended, generated a lot of good discussion, and a peer-reviewed paper may be written summarizing the main points and recommendations. October 2012, Dr. Eileen Cullen (2012 NCCC46 chair) delivered an invited talk to the Land Grant University ECOP/ESCOP National IPM Meeting in Washington, D.C. titled Overview of the Corn Rootworm Resistance Issue to Cry3Bb1, Multi-State Committee Special Projects, and Support by the Agriculture Experiment Station Directors to Address the Problem. (Audience: land-grant university administrators, IPM specialists, USDA NIFA national program leaders, IPM Center directors, Extension administrators/personnel). Progress update regarding the western rootworm genome: (Tom Sappington, ARS) The genome has been sequenced but assembly has been challenging due to large introns, lots of transposable elements, and lots of repetitive sequence. Hugh Robertson (Univ. of Illinois) is leading this project with involvement of several on this Committee. The transcriptome is being sequenced in France, with assembly of the reference genome underway. The next part of the project is to use the reference transcriptome in RNA-seq experiments to determine which genes are differentially expressed or regulated during different stages or under different stresses. The project is led by Thomas Guillemaud of INRA in France, with several Committee members as CoPIs and collaborators. Two corn rootworm-related projects are underway or just concluded in Dr. Joe Spencers lab at University of Illinois: " USDA-AFRI: How do western corn rootworm beetles use refuge and transgenic corn? J. Spencer 2009-2012. This project concluded on September 1, 2012. Data suggest that a seed blend is superior to block refuges for moving and mixing mateseeking WCR. Final analyses of the individual WCR collected in 2011 and 2012 continue. Its important to pay attention to what insects are actually doing because their behavior, not our assumptions about their behavior, determine how well refuge designs function. Observation of actual behavior, not our assumptions should guide refuge design. " USDA-AFRI: Do gut proteinases and microbial biodiversity facilitate soybean herbivory in rotation-resistant western corn rootworm beetles? M. Seufferheld, J. Spencer, and J. Zavala. 2009-2013. This project was granted a no-cost extension in 2012. This research provides the link between patterns of enhanced protease activity, gene expression and the periodicity of movement and residence that typifies RR-WCR, and the economic implications of these findings. This is the first time that a study has demonstrated the relationships between specific RR-WCR traits and a mechanism that can explain the RR-WCRs ability to consume soybean foliage. These are a significant findings because now we have physiological and biochemical parameters to anticipate the transition of WCR from WT to RR and respond to the urgency to develop tools to counteract this billon dollar corn pest. Dr. Michael Gray, University of Illinois continues to monitor and report on severe cases of rootworm damage to Bt hybrids expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein in some producers fields in northwestern and north-central Illinois. In collaboration with Dr. Aaron Gassmann, Iowa State University, Gray has analyzed beetle populations from these problem fields (2011) using Gassmanns on-plant bioassay and found these problem Illinois fields fit a pattern similar to one described by Gassmann for Iowa fields in which resistance to the Cry3Bb1 protein was confirmed in 2011. University of Illinois root evaluation experiments were conducted in 2012. Each year the research team (Dr. Mike Gray, Ron Estes, and Nick Tinsley) evaluates root protection products (soil insecticides and Bt hybrids) targeted at corn rootworms. Reports can be viewed in their On Target report online at http://ipm.illinois.edu/ontarget/ Western corn rootworm mate choice studies at Purdue University (Dr. Christian Krupke) comparing beetle emergence from Bt corn hybrids vs. non-Bt varieties have found female-biased sex ratios, and delayed emergence in Bt plantings. This information has implications for models of Bt/refuge cornfields, which assume all mating in this system is random. This work is still in its early stages. [Outputs/potential impacts]: When completed, it will allow us to determine mating rates between refuge and Bt beetles, and match beetle weights/head capsules with natal hosts. We are starting to get data from staple isotope testing now, and anticipate one more field season of data collection (2013). The potential utility of this work is to fine-tune IRM strategies with enhanced knowledge of WCR mating preferences in Bt/refuge plantings, although these trials should be performed in open fields as well to determine whether behavioral differences between cage and open environments exist. Volunteer corn in hybrid corn and soybeans following stacked trait corn: Agronomic considerations and implications for corn rootworm IRM plans. (Purdue University, Dr. Christian Krupke). Outputs: " Surveys demonstrate that volunteer, glyphosate-tolerant Bt corn is an increasingly common weed in both soybeans and corn. In soybeans it is easily managed using a grass herbicide. In corn, there are no yield penalties at typical field rates of volunteer plants (at or below 4 plants/m2). " Rootworm adults commonly emerge from patches of volunteer corn in both soybean and corn fields. The expression rate of Bt toxins (Cry3Bb1) in volunteer corn is more highly variable than the rate in hybrid corn. In both cases, nitrogen deficiency (as typically found in soybean fields), correlate with reduced levels of toxin expression. Michigan State University (Dr. Chris DiFonzo) : Suspected western corn rootworm resistance location, Michigan 2012. In communication with the grower and seed company representative, beetles were collected and shipped to University of Illinois to the lab of Dr. Joe Spencer for on-plant bioassay (using Gassmann method) to collect eggs. Larvae will be resistance bioassayed in 2013. University of Wisconsin (Dr. Eileen Cullen). Seedcorn maggot management fact sheet published for organic or conventional cropping systems with spring cover crop incorporation and/or weed cultivation and non-treated corn seed planting. Outputs: The UW-Extension Ag Weather online seedcorn maggot degree day calculator tool overcomes perceived grower time constraints survey respondents had about accessing pest degree days http://www.soils.wisc.edu/uwex_agwx/thermal_models/scm The UW-Extension publication A3972-1 Insect IPM in Organic Field Crops Seedcorn Maggot presents IPM appropriate to an organic (and some conventional) systems. Together these tools help farmers assess peak seedcorn maggot flight and avoid planting corn during peak. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Insect-IPM-in-Organic-Field-Crops-Seedcorn-Maggot-P1584.aspx University of Wisconsin root evaluation experiments were conducted in 2012. Each year the research team (Dr. Scott Chapman and Bryan Jensen) evaluates corn root protection products (soil insecticides and Bt hybrids) targeted at corn rootworms. Report was distributed at NCCC46 annual meeting in New Orleans and will be available online at http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/cullenlab/.

Publications

Representative Publications: Chen, H., H. Wang, and B.D. Siegfried. 2012. Genetic differentiation of western corn rootworm populations (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with resistance to insecticides. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 105: 232-240. Clark, T, L., D. L. Frank, B.W. French, L. J. Meinke, D. Moellenbeck, T. T. Vaughn, and B. E. Hibbard. 2012. Mortality impact of MON863 transgenic maize roots on western corn rootworm larvae in the field. J. Appl. Entomol. 136: 721-729. Coates, B.S., A. Alves, H. Wang, K. Walden, B. W. French, N.J. Miller, C.A. Abel, H.M. Robertson, T.W. Sappington, and B.D. Siegfried. 2012. Distributions of genes and repetitive elements in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera: prelude to assembling a large, repetitive genome. J. Biomed. Biotechnol. doi:10.1155/2012/604076. Cullen, E.M. and K.M. Holm. 2013. Aligning insect IPM programs with a cropping systems perspective: Cover crops and cultural pest control in Wisconsin organic corn and soybean. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37: 550-577. Curzi, M. J., J.A. Zavala, J.L. Spencer M.J. Seufferheld. 2012. Abnormally high digestive enzyme activity and gene expression explain the contemporary evolution of a Diabrotica biotype able to feed on soybeans. Ecology and Evolution, 2(8) 2005-2017. Devos, Y., L.N. Meihls, J. Kiss, and B.E. Hibbard. 2013. Resistance evolution to the first generation of genetically modified Diabrotica-active Bt-maize events by western corn rootworm: management and monitoring considerations. Transgenic Research 22: 269-299. DeVries, T. & R. Wright. 2012. Rootworm traited and refuge corn hybrids in combination with soil insecticides for larval corn rootworm control, 2011. Arthropod Management Tests 37: F13. Dunbar, M. W. and Gassmann, A. J. In Press. Abundance and distribution of western and northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) and prevalence of rotation resistance in eastern Iowa. Journal of Economic Entomology. Dunbar, M. W. and Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Effect of soybean varieties on western corn rootworm survival and fecundity. Journal of Economic Entomology 105:625-631. Gassmann, A. J. and Hutchison, W. D. 2012. Bt crops and insect pests: past successes, future challenges and opportunities. GM Crops and Food 3:139. Gassmann, A. J., Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Keweshan, R. S., Dunbar, M. W. 2012. Western corn rootworm and Bt maize: challenges of pest resistance in the field. GM Crops and Food 3:235-244. Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm: predictions from the laboratory and effects in the field. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 110:287-293. Gassmann, A. J., Hannon, E. R., Sisterson, M. S. Stock, S. P., Carrière, Y., and Tabashnik, B. E. 2012. Effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on the evolution of pink bollworm resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac. Journal of Economic Entomology 105:994-1005. Gray M.E. 2012. Continuing evolution confirmed of field resistance to Cry3Bb1 in some Illinois fields by western corn rootworm. In: The Bulletin: Pest Management and Crop Development Information for Illinois, Issue No. 20. University of Illinois Extension, Urbana, IL, p. 120. http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1704. Holm, K. and E. Cullen. 2012. Insect IPM in Organic Field Crops: Seedcorn Maggot. Publication A3972-01. University of Wisconsin-Extension Cooperative Extension Publishing, Madison, WI. 6pp. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Insect-IPM-in-Organic-Field-Crops-Seedcorn-Maggot-P1584.aspx Marquardt, P., C. Krupke, and W. Johnson. (2012). Competition of transgenic volunteer corn with soybean and the effect on western corn rootworm emergence. Weed Sci. 60(2): 193-198. Marquardt, P.T., R.M. Terry, C.H. Krupke, and W.G. Johnson. (2012). Competitive effects of volunteer corn on hybrid corn growth and yield. Weed Sci. in press. Meihls, L.N., M.L. Higdon, M.R. Ellersieck, and B.E. Hibbard. 2012. Greenhouse-selected resistance to Cry3Bb1-producing corn in three western corn rootworm populations. PloS ONE 7:e51055. Murphy, A.F. and C.H. Krupke. (2011). Mating success and spermatophore composition in the western corn rootworm. Environ. Entomol. 40: 1585-1594. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Cibils-Stewart, X., French, B. W., and Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Adaptation by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Bt maize: inheritance, fitness costs and feeding preference. Journal of Economic Entomology 105:1407-1418. Petzold-Maxwell, J.L., Jaronski, S.T., Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Tritrophic interactions among Bt maize, an insect pest, and entomopathogens: effects on development and survival of western corn rootworm. Annals of Applied Biology 160:43-55. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Jaronski, S. T., Clifton, E. H., Dunbar, M. W., Jackson, M. A. and Gassmann, A. J. In Press. Interactions among Bt maize, entomopathogens and rootworm species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the field: effects on survival, yield and root injury. Journal of Economic Entomology. Raghu, S., J.L. Spencer, A.S. Davis, and R.N. Wiedenmann. 2011. Ecological considerations for the sustainable development of terrestrial biofuel crops. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 3:15-23. Rangasamy, M. and B.D. Siegfried. 2012. Validation of RNA interference in western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults. Pest Manag. Sci. 68: 587-591. Rudeen, M. L. and Gassmann, A. J. In Press. Effects of Cry34/35Ab1 corn on survival and development of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Pest Management Science. Spencer, J., D. Onstad, C. Krupke, S. Hughson, Z. Pan, B. Stanley, and L. Flexner. 2013. Isolated females and limited males: evolution of insect resistance in structured landscapes. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 146:38-49. Tinsley NA, Estes RE, Gray ME, 2012. Validation of a nested error component model to estimate damage caused by corn rootworm larvae. J. Applied Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0418.2012.01736.x. Valencia, A., A.P. Alves, and B.D. Siegfried. 2013 Molecular cloning and functional characterization of an endogenous endoglucananse belonging to GHF45 from the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Gene 513: 260-267. Wang, H., B.S. Coates, H. Chen, T. Sappington, T. Guillemaud, and B.D. Siegfried. (Submitted). Role of a gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) receptor mutation in the evolution and spread of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera resistance to cyclodiene insecticides. Insect Molec. Biol. Wright, R. J., and L. J. Meinke. 2011. Corn rootworm management update. CropWatch Newletter. 22 September 2011. http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/cropwatch/archive?articleID=4651826. Wright, R. J., and L. J. Meinke. 2012. Results from consultant survey on Bt corn rootworm damage. CropWatch Newsletter 3 February 2012. http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/cropwatch/archive?articleID=4734708.

Impact Statements

22 members of NCCC-46 submitted a letter (March 7, 2012) to US EPA that outlined several concerns regarding resistance development to the Cry3Bb1 protein, the use of pyramided hybrids in areas where resistance has been confirmed, and long term durability of the Cry34/35Ab1 protein at reduced refuge levels (5% seed blends). The letter provides IPM recommendations to prevent or slow the spread of further rootworm field-evolved resistance. Contents of the letter were widely publicized in local, state, and national media outlets in 2012.
As a result of NCCC-46 special interim meetings and annual meeting (Ames, IA, June 2012; Minneapolis, MN, Oct. 2012; New Orleans, LA, Jan. 2013) researchers have agreed to standardize plant bioassay procedures to quantify the development of resistance to the Cry3Bb1 protein by the western corn rootworm across the Corn Belt. Participating NCCC-46 labs will be using the same bioassay procedures [Aaron Gassman, IA; Joe Spencer, IL; Lance Meinke, NE; Wade French, SD; Ken Ostlie, MN; Art Schaafsma, Ontario].
Western corn rootworm adults were collected (2012) across six states from suspected resistance fields (severe root damage and lodging) where a Bt hybrid (Cry3Bb1) failed to provide adequate root protection. NCCC-46 scientists are using a standardized plant bioassay method to determine whether resistance is present within the suspected fields. This information will be provided to US EPA and the research community. [Aaron Gassmann, IA; Mike Gray, Illinois; Ken Ostlie, MN; Lance Meinke, NE; Chris DiFonzo, MI; Billy Fuller and Wade French, SD].
Wisconsin Extension Pest Management Update meeting series survey respondents (n = 523 crop consultants, seed company agronomists, farmers and agribusiness professionals) reported that the extension recommendations they received about western corn rootworm insect resistance management on Bt corn affected 8,114,670 acres at an average value of $28.34 per acre more than $114 million of value that extension information provides Wisconsin growers [Eileen Cullen, WI].
Data suggest that a seed blend is superior to block refuges for moving and mixing mateseeking WCR. Refining IRM models with data from WCR in refuge and transgenic corn will increase confidence in predicted product durability and help preserve the sustainability of Bt technology. If seed blends are viable and sustainable management tools, they will also assure near 100% compliance with refuge requirements. [Joe Spencer, IL].
Rotation-resistant WCR beetles continue to spread across the US Corn Belt, robbing growers of what had been a very effective rootworm management tool: annual crop rotation. Focusing mechanistic studies on WCR gut physiology and microbiology is a novel approach. Identifying novel gene expression pathways linked to rotation resistance may at last offer a tool to distinguish resistant and susceptible individuals and reveal unexpected contributions of gut microbiota to WCR ecology [Joe Spencer, IL].
Corn growers are largely unaware of the benefits of seed treatments. Indiana data will be shown in 2013 crop management workshops and other extension venues. They can then be used to increase comfort levels of producers that may wish to plant untreated seed in an effort to reduce costs and/or return to IPM principles. This includes a reduction in the unintended consequences of using neonicotinoid seed treatments which include effects upon beneficial arthropods, including pollinators [Christian Krupke, IN].

Date of Annual Report: 06/27/2013

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 03/12/2013 - 03/13/2013
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2012 - 09/01/2013

Participants

David Andow (University of Minnesota)
Theresa Bauer (University of Minnesota)
Tony Burd (Syngenta)
Matthew Carroll (Monsanto)
Brad Coates (USDA-ARS)
Nathan Fields (National Corn Growers Association)
Ron Flannagan (Monsanto)
Wade French (USDA-ARS, Brookings, SD)
Billy Fuller (South Dakota State University)
Aaron Gassmann (Iowa State University)
Laura Higgins (DuPont Pioneer)
Andrea Hitchon (University of Guelph, graduate student)
Erin Hodgson (Iowa State University)
Terry Hurley (University of Minnesota)
Chuck Mason (University of Delaware)
Bradley McManus (South Dakota State University)
Lance Meinke (University of Nebraska)
Paul Mitchell (University of Wisconsin)
Ken Ostlie (University of Minnesota)
Elizabeth Owens (DuPont Pioneer)
Isaac Oyediran (Syngenta)
Clinton Pilcher (DuPont Pioneer)
Dusty Post (Monsanto)
Steve Pueppke (Michigan State University) (Administrative Advisor)
Tom Sappington (USDA-ARS, Iowa)
Caydee Savinelli (Syngenta)
Blair Siegfried (University of Nebraska)
Jocelyn Smith (University of Guelph)
Bob Wright (University of Nebraska)
By phone: Alan Reynolds (EPA); Christina DiFonzo (Michigan State University)

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Solicited and received detailed feedback from Committee participants, industry, EPA, and National Corn Growers Association representatives on the draft manuscript, "Early detection and remediation of resistance in corn rootworms to Bt corn," prepared by several members of NCCC46 and NC205, intended for peer-reviewed publication. Main topics included current regulations, definitions of unexpected damage and confirmed resistance, and recommended tactics for mitigation of western corn rootworm resistance to Bt corn.

Publications

Impact Statements

Corn growers in states on margins of Corn Belt are receiving a unified message from public-sector entomologists on importance of timely reporting of unexpected damage to Bt corn by western corn rootworm, and using crop rotation as the best agronomic method for slowing resistance development on their farms.

Date of Annual Report: 07/24/2014

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/27/2014 - 01/30/2014
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2012 - 09/01/2013

Participants

Boetel, Mark (mark.boetel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University;
Buntin, David (gbuntin@uga.edu) - University of Georgia;
Bynum, Ed (ebynum@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University;
Coates, Brad (brad.coates@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS and Iowa State University;
DiFonzo, Chris (difonzo@msu.edu) - Michigan State University;
Fisher, Kelsey (kefisher@udel.edu) - University of Delaware;
Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University;
Hitchon, Andrea (ahitchon@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph;
Huang, Fangneng (fhuang@agcenter.lsu.edu) - Louisiana State University;
Johnson, Holly (hollylyh@udel.edu) - University of Delaware;
Knodel, Janet (janet.knodel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University;
Krupke, Christian (ckrupke@purdue.edu) - Purdue University;
Mason, Chuck (mason@udel.edu) - University of Delaware;
Meinke, Lance (lmeinke1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Michel, Andy (michel.70@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University;
Mitchell, Paul (pdmitchell@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin;
Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota;
Porter, Pat (p-porter@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University;
Pueppke, Steve (pueppke@msu.edu) - Michigan State University;
Sappington, Tom (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS and Iowa State Univ.;
Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois;
Smith, Jocelyn (jocelyn.smith@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph;
Tooker, John (tooker@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania State University;
Calles Torrez, Veronica (veronica.callestorre@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota St. Univ.;
Wright, Bob (rwright2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;

Brief Summary of Minutes

[Local arrangements, David Buntin]
[Minutes taken by John Tooker, Secretary]

Meeting called to order, 1:30pm, Tom Sappington, Chair

Nomination committee – Tom S., Pat, John Tooker
Time and place committee – Pat, Ken, Ed
NC205 suggested San Antonio, pending NCCC46 concurrence
Will report back tomorrow morning

NC205 has proposed merging 205 & 46 into a single committee; would 46 consider this merger?

Tom S. presented Pros that had been compiled by Chris Difonzo:

PROS - merging NC205 and NCCC46 into a corn insect committee:

Membership:
• At least 50% of the membership is already shared between the two committees;
• Most new members were hired to work on a system (corn) and not a single pest;
• Many members across the two groups already cooperate on projects;

Content:
• New generation of pest control products are already integrated for above and below ground pests, and issues with one component impact the other
• Pest focus has already moved beyond rootworm and especially corn borer;
expanding the committee allows for other insects to come into the mix.

Annual Meeting:
• Less of a burden for NC205 officers since chair could rotate on a shorter (1-2 yr versus 5 yr) cycle
• Efficiency of scale – more members at the meeting at any one time to fill hotel rooms, the meeting room, and to keep the conversation going.
• May make the annual meeting a bit shorter if the meetings can be made
efficient and focus on a few topics each year.
Administration
• One less report for many people to write (altho for those in NCCC46, changing to an NC committee would mean submitting a Hatch report
• Expansion allows the inclusion of work on more and different pests – for example stink bugs or spider mite – into project reports, making them easier to write & potentially generating more impacts.
• Voluntary reduction in number of committees would be looked on favorably by USDA.

Tom S. also recapped some of the Cons that came up in the 205 discussion:
• Many will not be interested in the whole meeting – e.g., some will not be interested in rootworms, and some will not be interested Leps. Obvious solution would be to keep the meeting structure similar to that of the present, with a concentration of Leps in one half and rootworms in the other half, with common-interest presentations in between.
• Would any time really be saved at meetings?
• States with different official reps for the 2 committees: someone may lose travel support.
• Different leadership structures (e.g., 5-year term for Chair in 205 vs 1-year term in 46), would need to be harmonized or adjusted somehow.
• Not a lot of time to deliberate, because the 205 re-write is due this year.

Possible title and objectives of a new merged committee (open for change):

Title: Ecology and management of arthropods in corn

Objectives:

1) Investigate the relationship between pest management technologies and the agricultural environment;
2) Investigate the ecology, biology, evolution, genetics, and behavior of corn arthropods;
3) Develop and assess IPM and IRM systems for the arthropod complex in corn;
4) Employ diverse delivery methods to disseminate information related to sustainable management of corn arthropod pests.

NC committees are intended to be coordinated research committees (joint efforts are expected and must be documented), whereas NCCC committees are discussion/ communication committees. Both have the same reporting requirements, same five-year cycles.

The Committee decided to sleep on the idea of a merger and take a vote in the morning on whether to proceed by email with a formal vote with only the Appendix E members eligible to cast a vote.

Tom S. reminded the Committee about the upcoming IWGO meeting in Chicago, 13-17 April. He shared a draft agenda for the meeting, and also shared a tentative agenda for a joint 205/46 and IWGO meeting on Thursday, 17 April.

Tom S.: As a reminder, the NCCC46 is a closed meeting. The information is confidential and folks need to keep that in mind and pursue permissions from authors as necessary before sharing.

Pat Porter: He is developing an image gallery. People are welcome to contribute images, and use them with appropriate attribution. Pat will share the url over email.

Terry Hurly: is working with registrants to develop a report on the value of neonics. They will give a preliminary report at the IWGO meeting in April.

Progress reports on the single plant Bt bioassays with WCR were provided by Joe Spencer, Aaron Gassmann, Lance Meinke, Andrea Hitchon, and Ken Ostlie.

Special presentation, Joe Spencer: "Suspected resistance to Cry3Bb1 in rotated corn":
Area of interest is in east central Illinois, the historical epicenter of rotation resistance.
In Livingston County, large areas of downed corn, lots of beetles in corn, and adjacent soybeans, suspected Bt resistance. Simliar fields in Kankakee and Ford Counties. He was able to collect beetles from Livingston and Kankakee Counties; these beetles laid eggs very well. So it seems Joe has found populations of beetles that are rotation resistant and resistant to Cry3Bb1. Joe anticipates a lot of chemical use in the coming planting season to protect fields.

State Reports:

Pennsylvania – John Tooker:
Has no research ongoing with rootworms, but is presenting on rootworm resistance issues in extension meetings—lots of interest on this topic.
Asked the question how effective is Poncho…

Adjourned for day at 4:50 PM

30 Jan 2013, 8 am – Reconvened

Nomination committee report – (Sappington, Porter, Tooker):
Nominated Joe Spencer as Secretary of NCCC46 for 2014, with expected normal sequence to become Vice Chair in 2015 and Chair in 2016.
No other nominations from the floor.
Joe is willing. Vote to elect Joe was unanimous in favor.

Time and place committee report – (Porter, Ostlie, Bynum):
Pat conveyed recommendation for San Antonio in the last full week of January 2015.
Vote was unanimous to approve the suggested venue and date.

Following discussions from yesterday, the Committee voted on the idea of merging 46 with 205.
The vote was unanimous to proceed with an electronic vote of the full appendix E membership. Both 46 and 205 will be polled, and both committees will vote separately. A majority of each committee, separately, must approve before the merger would ensue.
Ken voiced a concern that merging might limit states to only one representative.
Steve Pueppke pointed out that that decision was a state-based concern, that would have to be decided independently by each institution.
Pat raised a concern that merging might change the flow of money to the representative, if reps get research money for the project.
Steve acknowledged these will be local decisions that could impact a few states (NE, IA, MN, potentially among others).
Steve also said that he expects the impact of a merger on most members of both groups would be minimal in practice. That for most, committee life as we know it would not change much.

State reports (continued from yesterday):

Iowa – Tom Sappington:
Starting a new project comparing the flight ability of Bt-resistant and susceptible rootworm beetles on flight mills.
Also exploring a project on neighborhood genetic distance of rootworms
Will be based in Colorado, Kansas where historical rootworm populations occurred before they expanded eastward.

Iowa – Aaron Gassmann:
A variety of papers have come out of his lab recently exploring the influence of cover crops, insecticides, etc. on rootworm populations.
They continue to run bioassays for rootworm resistance.
In field studies in problem fields, they continue to see damage on Cry3 plants, not Cry34/35. Discussed observations on efficacy of Aztec on top of Bt, in terms of both root protection and adult beetle emergence.

Nebraska – Lance Meinke:
Blair Siegfried and Lance have been exploring resistance of western corn rootworm to pyrethroids (bifenthrin)
Populations from western NE appear to be less susceptible, populations from eastern NE and KS to the east for the most part are all susceptible.
Western NE, KS are areas where adult management has been common.
On-farm trials in Cry3Bb1 problem fields.
They had a lot of variation in rootworm populations.
Reported benefits, or not, of adding insecticides on top of Cry3Bb1 in fields with resistance, and in Cry34/35 and SmartStax fields.

Bob Wright is participating in a national webinar educating folks on rootworm resistance and management

Texas – Pat Porter:
Few reports of unexpected damage – some north of Amarillo, one near Corpus Christie (this was a Mexican corn rootworm site)

Illinois – Joe Spencer:
Joe has been doing the single-plant assays
Mike Gray has started an effort again to sample beetles across the state.
Joe has restarted his effort of sampling beetles in flight above fields using scaffolding towers.

Michigan – Chris Difonzo:
They are continuing to follow PI (performance inquiry) fields from 2012.
Some of the these fields had Cry3Bb1 history.
mCry3A fields have also appeared.
None of the fields have appeared on maps.

Minnesota – Ken Ostlie:
Lots of field-flooding in targeted research area.
Will the severe winter temperatures experienced influence mortality of WCR?
Had their first reports of performance inquires with northern corn rootworm (these were in central Minnesota).
Saw problems with Herculex and SmartStax, but it looks as though that nothing was working very well.
In their insecticide-over-Bt work, beetles are not being killed very well.
Did some work with foliar insecticides targeting adults.
On the extension front, they have had discussions with crop managers on what they are trying to protect.

Ontario – Andrea Hitchon:
Three problem fields from 2012 were planted with research plots in 2013.
No new problem fields (no unexpected damage) reported in 2013.
Report of lodging in 1st yr corn, following tillage radish/wheat mixture. Adjacent radish cover crop field, late in the season had lots of rootworm adults, they may have been planting corn.
Some growers even treated for adults in Ontario, where this practice is rare.

Indiana – Christian Krupke:
Rootworm populations seem low.
Few reports of problem fields (one report came in recently of damage to first year corn, but that field will be rotated to soybeans in 2014).
They have a stable isotope project tracking mating between beetles from Bt and non-Bt (refuge in various configurations). Labeling particular plants with stable isotope allows them to identify beetles reared on those plants.

Neonics:
They continue work with planter exhaust. Corn planting corresponds to a high point of honey bee spring foraging. As bees fly through the air they create friction and become charged. This charging is adaptive because pollen sticks to them more easily, but so would dust. If they fly through IN in spring they are likely to cross a cornfield, possibly encountering dust.
Christian has been collecting dust using tanglefoot-treated slides (0, 10, 50, 100 from field edge) to examine profile of neonic deposition. They may need to measure further out from the field.
Next steps: they are modeling drift risk across the landscape.
They have also field-tested Bayer’s new fluency powder.

Valerie Fournier (Univ. of Laval) – explored water contamination of neonics in surface water beginning in mid-May through end of June (about 6 wk after planting).

Across three sites, evaluated whether seed treatments pay, in terms of stand counts and yield. 2012 and 2013 data were similar. Will pair these data with the deposit data

North Dakota – Mark Boetel, Janet Knodel:
Examined performance of Cry3Bb1, Cry34/35, and SmartStax in SE North Dakota
Examined whether Poncho 250, 1250, or soil insecticide (Force) improved root ratings.
Corn rootworm is a newer pest for ND following increased corn acres.

Texas – Ed Bynum:
There were outbreaks of sugar cane aphid on sorghum along the Gulf Coast. Thousands of aphids per plant; mostly being treated with dimethoate. Honeydew/sooty mold causes problems at harvest. Growers kill the plant with glyphosate so they can harvest it (they do not have frosts in that region). Corn does not seem to be a good host. Mostly seems to be a subtropical pest.

Georgia – Dave Buntin:
Western corn rootworm are not much of a problem in GA, but occasionally Dave does hear of trouble with rootworms.
Southern corn rootworm is more of a problem; SCR is more of a seedling pest.
Neonic seed treatments control SCR very well.

Committee voted to accept minutes from 2013.

Adjourned, 11:45 am

Accomplishments

1) Entomologists in the Eastern Corn Belt (IN, MI, NY, OH, Ontario, PA) developed a 'Fringe' concept to explain why rootworm resistance to Bt corn is still rare in the eastern U.S. compared to the west, based on differences in scale and diversity of the cropping system. A white paper was produced explaining this view and making a stricter recommendation (crop rotation) for failing fields in our states. This paper was submitted to the 2013 EPA-FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) addressing rootworm resistance. The white paper was also used as a basis to develop an extension bulletin and slide set, for use by the group. 2) In cooperation with local extension educators, outreach was targeted towards a major livestock area in central Michigan to detect and intervene early in suspected cases of rootworm resistance to Bt. As a direct result, multiple suspect fields were documented with pictures, Bt test strips, root ratings, and (where possible) egg collections to obtain larvae for resistance screening by cooperators at University of Guelph. Experiences and information from the 2013 season were incorporated into education materials targeted to growers in affected locations in winter 2014. Further, we worked with agribusinesses to assist growers in choosing a remediation strategy for the 2014 season. 3) Results from single plant bioassays and on-farm Bt trait trials conducted on Cry3Bb1 problem and control fields collectively support the conclusion that a level of field resistance to Cry3Bb1 has evolved in some Nebraska populations in response to selection pressure. These results also indicate a possible cross-resistance relationship exists between Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A, however there was no apparent cross resistance relationship between Cry34/35Ab1 and either Cry3Bb1 or mCry3A. Cross-resistance results in Nebraska were very similar to those reported by Gassmann et al. 2014 in Iowa. 4) Entomologists from Univ. of Illinois confirmed significant western corn rootworm larval injury in first-year cornfields in Livingston and Kankakee counties that had been planted to Bt rootworm hybrids expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein. The fact that rotated corn is now showing susceptibility to rootworm damage, even when planted to certain Bt hybrids, is evidence that crop rotation in central and east central Illinois does not adequately confer a consistent level of root protection. 5) The spatial and temporal distribution of adults in Bt cornfields with four refuge treatments (20% structured, 5% structured, 5% seed blend and 0% refuge) and in adjacent soybean fields among corn phenology stages (vegetative, pollination and post-pollination) were compared from 2010 – 2012. Sustained concentration of adults in refuge rows suggest that structured refuge configurations do not facilitate mixing of adults from refuge and Bt corn. Seed blends produce uniform distributions of adults which may better promote the mixing of mate-seeking adults and delay resistance. 6) At the University of Illinois, a pair of 7-meter tall scaffolding towers were erected in the eastern portion of two Bt cornfields (4.19 ac) (expressing Cry1F and Cry34/35Ab1) containing 5% non-CRW Bt corn (expressing Cry1Ab) deployed as a single refuge block or a seed blend. Investigators on the tops of the towers used aerial insect nets to capture western corn rootworm (WCR) beetles that flew within reach. Beetles were also sampled in the canopy of the same cornfields. Overall, these data indicate that the flying population is composed primarily of recently-mated females. Gut content analysis of Cry proteins suggest that ca. 50% of the flying population originates from the fields below a collection tower. 7) A WCR IRM manuscript was drafted in relatively brief format by multiple NCCC46 authors (organized by David Andow, Univ. Minnesota) for submission to a high profile journal. It is the outgrowth of three special NCCC46/NC205 joint meetings, made possible by special MN, IA, IL, and NE AES support, to coordinate an integrated response to the emerging WCR resistance problem. An early draft was circulated to industry representatives and to EPA for input. A second, longer manuscript is being prepared to elaborate on this issue in greater detail, to be submitted to an entomological journal. 8) Focus groups with farmers were conducted by NCCC46 members with special MN, IA, IL, and NE AES support, to a) better understand farmers' perceptions of unexpected CRW damage in Bt corn; b) identify the kinds of information farmers need and want related to CRW in Bt corn; and c) explore the role extension could play in gathering and providing information on CRW management. The responses have been analyzed and a manuscript with multiple NCCC46 authors is being prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. 9) Statewide surveys of insects in corn and soybean fields were conducted in 28 counties across Illinois. Densities of western corn rootworm adults exceeded the 0.75 per plant (continuous corn) or 0.5 per plant (first-year corn) beetle thresholds during the August 1-6 in 8 counties. Densities of western corn rootworm adults were somewhat greater in 2013 than the most recent surveys conducted in 2011, but they remain low by historic standards (mid-1990?s and early 2000?s), particularly in soybean fields. 10) Comparisons of gut microbiota between RR- and wild-type WCR (WT-WCR) revealed concomitant shifts in bacterial community structure with host adaptation to soybean diets. Antibiotic suppression of gut bacteria significantly reduced RR-WCR tolerance of soybean herbivory to the level of WT-WCR, whereas WTWCR were unaffected. The findings demonstrate that gut bacteria help to facilitate rapid adaptation of insects in managed ecosystems.

Publications

[Cumulative 2010 through Jan meeting 2014] 2010: Alves, A.P., M. D. Lorenzen, R.W. Beeman, J. E. Foster, and B. D. Siegfried. 2010. RNA interference as a method for target-site screening in the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. J. Insect Science. 2010. 10:162 available online: insectscience.org/10.162. Bernklau, E. J., B. E. Hibbard, and L. B. Bjostad. 2010. Antixenosis in maize reduces feeding by western corn rootworm larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 2052-2060. Campbell, L. A., and L. J. Meinke. 2010. Fitness of Diabrotica barberi, Diabrotica longicornis, and their hybrids (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 103: 925-935. Chen, H., M. Rangasamy, S. Y. Tan, H. Wang, and B. D. Siegfried. 2010. Evaluation of Five Methods for Total DNA Extraction from Western Corn Rootworm Beetles. PLoS ONE 5(8): e11963. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0011963. Cullen, E. M. 2010. Extension specialist roles in communities of interest and place: An example from the agriculture-wildlife interface. J. Extension 48(1) Feature Article 1FEA2. DiFonzo, C., and E. Cullen. 2010 Handy Bt Trait Table. Michigan State University Field Crops Entomology Program and University of Wisconsin-Extension. Dillen, K., P. D. Mitchell, and E. Tollens. 2010. On the competitiveness of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera damage abatement strategies in Hungary: a bio-economic approach. J. Appl. Entomol. 134: 395-408. Dillen, K., P. D. Mitchell, T. Van Looya, and E. Tollens. 2010. The western corn rootworm, a new threat to European agriculture: opportunities for biotechnology? Pest Manag. Sci. 66: 956–966. Duan, J. J., J. G. Lundgren, S. E. Naranjo, and M. Marvier. 2010. Extrapolating non-target risk of Bt-crops from laboratory to field. Biology Letters 6: 74-77. Dun, Z., P. D. Mitchell, and M. Agosti. 2010. Estimating Diabrotica virgifera virgifera damage functions with field trial data: applying an unbalanced nested error component model. J. Appl. Entomol. 134: 409-419. Elmore, R. W., A. Gassmann, and E. Hodgson. 2010. “Compliance or complacency: Corn producers and Bt refuge.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 6 April 2010. French, B.W. and L. Hammack. 2010. Reproductive traits of northern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in relation to female and male body size. Annals of Entomological Society of America. 103: 688-694. Gassmann, A., and E. Hodgson. 2010. “Refuge in a bag is here: explaining the simplified refuge.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 23 June 2010. Gassmann, A., and E. Hodgson. 2010. “SmartStax: Multi-trait corn offered by Dow and Monsanto.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 26 October 2010. Hibbard, B. E., L. N. Meihls, M. R. Ellersieck, and D. W. Onstad. 2010. Density-dependent and density-independent mortality of the western corn rootworm: Impact on dose calculations of rootworm-resistant Bt corn. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 77-84. Hibbard, B.E., T. L. Clark, M. R. Ellersieck, L. N. Meihls, A. A. El Khishen, V. Kaster, H. York-Steiner, and R. Kurtz. 2010. Mortality of western corn rootworm larvae on MIR604 transgenic maize roots: Field survivorship has no significant impact on survivorship of F1 progeny on MIR604. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 2187-2196. Hodgson, E., and A. Gassmann. 2010. “New corn trait deregulated in U.S.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 10 May 2010. Hodgson, E., and A. Sisson. 2010. “Predicted corn rootworm hatch 2010.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 28 May 2010. Knolhoff, L. M., J. J. Glas, J. L. Spencer, and M. R. Berenbaum. 2010. Oviposition Behaviors in Relation to Rotation Resistance in the Western Corn Rootworm. Environ. Entomol. 39: 1922-1928. Lundgren, J. G., and J. K. Fergen. 2010. The effects of a winter cover crop on Diabrotica virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations and beneficial arthropod communities in no-till maize. Environ. Entomol. 39: 1816-1828. Lundgren, J. G., S. Toepfer, T. Haye, and U. Kuhlmann. 2010. Haemolymph defence of an invasive herbivore: its breadth of effectiveness against predators. J. Appl. Entomol. 134: 439-448. Murphy, A. F., M. D. Ginzel, and C. H. Krupke. 2010. Evaluating western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) emergence and root damage in a seed mix refuge. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 147-157. Onstad, D. W., and L. J. Meinke. 2010. Modeling evolution of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) to transgenic corn with two insecticidal traits. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 849-860. Sappington, T. W., K. R. Ostlie, C. DiFonzo, B. E. Hibbard, C. H. Krupke, P. Porter, S. Pueppke, E. J. Shields, and J. J. Tollefson. 2010. Conducting public-sector research on commercialized transgenic seed: In search of a paradigm that works. GM Crops 1: 55-58. Sayed A., B. Wiechman, I. Struewing, M. Smith, B. W. French, C. Nielson, and M. Bagley. 2010. Isolation of transcripts from Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte responsive to the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry3Bb1. Insect Mol. Biol. 19: 381-389. Seiter, N. J., D. S. Richmond, J. D. Holland, and C. H. Krupke. 2010. A novel method for estimating soybean herbivory in western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1464-1473. Spencer, J. L. 2010. What’s past is prologue: lessons from the history of corn rootworm management in Illinois and the U.S., pp. 223-243. In: Rodríguez-del-Bosque, L. A., and M. A. Morón (eds.), Ecología y Control de Plagas Edafícolas. Publicación especial del Instituto de Ecología, A.C. México. 2011: Bernklau, E. J., L. B. Bjostad, and B. E. Hibbard. 2011. Synthetic feeding stimulants enhance insecticide activity against western corn rootworm larvae, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 135: 47-54. Campbell, L. A., T. L. Clark, P. Clark, L. J. Meinke, J.E. Foster. 2011. Field introgression of D. barberi Smith and Lawrence and D. longicornis (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) based on genetic and morphological characters. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 104: 1380-1391. Erb, M., T. Köllner, J. Degenhardt, C. Zwahlen, B. E. Hibbard, and T. C. J. Turlings. 2011. The role of abscisic acid and water stress in root herbivore induced leaf resistance. New Phytol. 189: 308-320. Erb, M., C. Robert, B. E. Hibbard, and T. C. J. Turlings. 2011. Sequence of arrival determines plant mediated interactions between herbivores in the field. J. Ecol. 99: 7 15. Frank, D. L., R. Bukowsky, B. W. French, and B. E. Hibbard. 2011. Effect of MIR604 transgenic maize at different stages of development on western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in a Central Missouri field environment. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 2054-2061. French, B. W. and L. Hammack. 2011. Multiple mating, fecundity and longevity in female northern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in relation to body size. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 104: 834-840. French, B. W., K. D. Reitsma, A. A. Beckler, L. D. Chandler, and S. A. Clay. 2011. Geographic Information Systems in Corn Rootworm Management. In: GIS Applications in Agriculture Volume 3: Invasive Species (S.A. Clay editor). CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. Pp. 233-253. Gassmann, A. J., Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Keweshan, R. S., and Dunbar, M. W. (2011). Field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm. PLoS ONE 6(7): e22629. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022629. Geisert, R.W. 2011. Frequency of extended diapause in Nebraska populations of Diabrotica barberi Smith and Lawrence. M. S. Thesis. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Gray, M. E. 2011. Relevance of traditional integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for commercial corn producers in a transgenic agroecosystem: a bygone era? J. Agric. Food Chem. 59: 5852-5858. Hibbard, B. E., D. L. Frank, R. Kurtz, E. Boudreau, M. R. Ellersieck, and J. F. Odhiambo. 2011. Mortality impact of Bt transgenic maize roots expressing eCry3.1Ab, mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab+mCry3A on western corn rootworm in the field. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1584-1591. Hodgson, E., and A. Gassmann. 2011. First Iowa confirmation of resistance to Bt corn by western corn rootworm. In: Integrated Crop Management News. 22 December 2011. Lundgren, J. G., and J. K. Fergen. 2011. Enhancing predation of a subterranean insect pest: a conservation benefit of winter vegetation in agroecosystems. Appl. Soil Ecol. 51: 9-16. Meihls, L. N., M. L. Higdon, M. Ellersieck, and B. E. Hibbard. 2011. Selection for resistance to mCry3A-expressing transgenic corn in western corn rootworm. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1045-1054. Murphy, A. F., and C. H. Krupke. 2011. Mating success and spermatophore composition in the western corn rootworm. Environ. Entomol. 40: 1585-1594. Murphy, A., N. Seiter, and C. Krupke. 2011. The impact of Bt maize as a natal host on adult head capsule width in field populations of western corn rootworm. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 139: 8-16. Ni, X., Y. Chen, B. E. Hibbard, J. P. Wilson, W. P. Williams, G. D. Buntin, J. R. Ruberson, and X. Li. 2011. Foliar resistance to fall armyworm in corn germplasm lines that confer resistance to root and ear feeding insects. Fla. Entomol. 94: 971-981. Onstad, D. W., P. D. Mitchell, T. M. Hurley, J. G. Lundgren, R. P. Porter, C. H. Krupke, J. L. Spencer, C. D. DiFonzo, T. S. Baute, R. L. Hellmich, L. Buschman, W. D. Hutchison, J. F. Tooker. 2011. Seeds of change: Corn seed mixtures for resistance management and IPM. J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 343-352. Oswald, K., B. W. French, C. Nielson, and M. Bagley. 2011. Selection for Cry3Bb1 resistance in a genetically diverse population of non-diapausing western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 104: 1038-1044. Pan, Z., D. W. Onstad, T. M. Nowatzki, B. H. Stanley, L. J. Meinke, and J. L. Flexner. 2011. Western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) dispersal and adaptation to single-toxin transgenic corn deployed with block or blended refuge. Environ. Entomol. 40: 964-978. Peterson, J. A., J. G. Lundgren, and J. D. Harwood. 2011. Interactions of Bacillus thuringiensis crops and Araneae. J. Arachnol. 39: 1-21. Prischmann-Voldseth, D. A., and J. G. Lundgren. 2011. Tracking predation of subterranean pests: digestion of corn rootworm DNA by a generalist mite. Biocontr. Sci. Technol. 21: 1507-1510. Prischmann-Voldseth, D. A., E. M. Knutson, K. E. Dashiell, and J. G. Lundgren. 2011. Generalist-feeding subterranean mites as potential biological control agents of immature corn rootworms. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 55: 233-248. Raghu, S., J. L. Spencer, A. S. Davis, and R. N. Wiedenmann. 2011. Ecological considerations for the sustainable development of terrestrial biofuel crops. Curr. Opin. Environ. Sustain. 3: 15-23. Sappington, T. W. 2011. Developing genomics tools for the western corn rootworm - progress and promise. IWGO Newsletter 31(1): 8-12. Weber, D. C., and J. G. Lundgren. 2011. Effect of prior diet on consumption and digestion of prey and non-prey food by adults of the generalist predator Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Entomol. Exp. Appl. 140: 146-152. Wright, R. J., and L. J. Meinke. 2011. Corn rootworm management update. CropWatch Newsletter. 22 September 2011. http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/cropwatch/archive?articleID=4651826. 2012: Chen, H., H. Wang, and B. D. Siegfried. 2012. Genetic differentiation of western corn rootworm populations (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) with resistance to insecticides. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 105: 232-240. Clark, T. L., D. L. Frank, B. W. French, L. J. Meinke, D. Moellenbeck, T. T. Vaughn, and B. E. Hibbard. 2012. Mortality impact of MON863 transgenic maize roots on western corn rootworm larvae in the field. J. Appl. Entomol. 136: 721-729. Coates, B. S., A. Alves, H. Wang, K. Walden, B. W. French, N. J. Miller, C. A. Abel, H. M. Robertson, T. W. Sappington, and B. D. Siegfried. 2012. Distribution of genes and repetitive elements in the Diabrotica virgifera virgifera genome estimated using BAC sequencing. J. Biomed. Biotechnol. Article ID 604076, 9 pages. DOI:10.1155/2012/604076. Curzi, M. J., J. A. Zavala, J. L. Spencer, and M. J. Seufferheld. 2012. Abnormally high digestive enzyme activity and gene expression explain the contemporary evolution of a Diabrotica biotype able to feed on soybeans. Ecol. Evol. 2: 2005-2017. DeVries, T., and R. Wright. 2012. Rootworm traited and refuge corn hybrids in combination with soil insecticides for larval corn rootworm control, 2011. Arthrop. Manag. Tests 37: F13. Dunbar, M. W. and A. J.Gassmann. 2012. Effect of soybean varieties on western corn rootworm survival and fecundity. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 625-631. Fausti, S., T. M. McDonald, J. G. Lundgren, J. Li, A. R. Keating, S., and M. Catangui. 2012. Insecticide use and crop selection in regions with high GM adoption rates. Renew. Agric. Food Sys. 27: 295-304. French, B. W. and L. Hammack. 2012. Spermatophore size in relation to body size and pairing duration in the northern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 105: 506-511. French, B. W., B. S. Coates, and T. W. Sappington. 2014. Inheritance of an extended diapause trait in the northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Appl. Entomol. 138: 213-221. (First published online: 20 AUG 2012) Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Field-evolved resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm: predictions from the laboratory and effects in the field. J. Invert. Pathol. 110: 287-293. Gassmann, A., and E. Hodgson. 2012. Managing western corn rootworm with Bt corn.” In: Integrated Crop Management News. 24 August 2012. Gassmann, A. J., and W. D. Hutchison. 2012. Bt crops and insect pests: past successes, future challenges and opportunities. GM Crops Food 3: 139. Gassmann, A. J., E. R. Hannon, M. S. Sisterson, S. P. Stock, Y. Carrière, and B. E. Tabashnik. 2012. Effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on the evolution of pink bollworm resistance to Bt toxin Cry1Ac. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 994-1005. Gassmann, A. J., J. L. Petzold-Maxwell, R. S. Keweshan, and M. W. Dunbar. 2012. Western corn rootworm and Bt maize: challenges of pest resistance in the field. GM Crops Food 3:235-244. Gray M. E. 2012. Continuing evolution confirmed of field resistance to Cry3Bb1 in some Illinois fields by western corn rootworm. In: The Bulletin: Pest Management and Crop Development Information for Illinois, Issue No. 20. Univ. Ill. Extension, Urbana, IL, p. 120. http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=1704. Hiltpold, I., B.E. Hibbard, B.W. French, T.C.J. Turlings. 2012. Capsules containing entomopathogenic nematodes as a Trojan horse approach to control the western corn rootworm. Plant Soil 358: 11-25. Hodgson, E., and A. Gassmann. 2012. Sustainable corn rootworm management in Iowa, 2 pp. Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Publication 290-12. Hodgson, E., and A. Sisson. 2012. “Predicted corn rootworm hatch begins for 2012.” In Integrated Crop Management News. 21 May 2012. Holm, K., and E. Cullen. 2012. Insect IPM in Organic Field Crops: Seedcorn Maggot. Publication A3972-01. Univ. Wisc.-Extension Coop. Extension Pub., Madison, WI. 6pp. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/Insect-IPM-in-Organic-Field-Crops-Seedcorn-Maggot-P1584.aspx. Krupke, C. Hunt, G., Eitzer, B., Andino, G., & Given, K. 2012. Multiple routes of pesticide exposure for honey bees living near agricultural fields. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29268. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029268. Marquardt, P., C. Krupke, and W. Johnson. 2012. Competition of transgenic volunteer corn with soybean and the effect on western corn rootworm emergence. Weed Sci. 60: 193-198. Marquardt, P. T., R. M. Terry, C. H. Krupke, and W. G. Johnson. 2012. Competitive effects of volunteer corn on hybrid corn growth and yield. Weed Sci. in press. Meihls, L.N., M.L. Higdon, M.R. Ellersieck, B. E. Tabashnik, and B.E. Hibbard. 2012. Greenhouse-selected resistance to Cry3Bb1-producing corn in three western corn rootworm populations. PloS ONE 7: e51055. Oswald, K., B.W. French, C. Nielson, and M. Bagley. 2012. Assessment of fitness costs in Cry3Bb1 resistant and susceptible western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) laboratory colonies. J. Appl. Entomol. 136: 730–740. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., X. Cibils-Stewart, B. W. French, and A. J. Gassmann. 2012. Adaptation by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to Bt maize: inheritance, fitness costs and feeding preference. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 1407-1418. Petzold-Maxwell, J.L., Jaronski, S.T., Gassmann, A. J. 2012. Tritrophic interactions among Bt maize, an insect pest, and entomopathogens: effects on development and survival of western corn rootworm. Ann. Appl. Biol. 160: 43-55. Rangasamy, M., and B. D. Siegfried. 2012. Validation of RNA interference in western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) adults. Pest Manag. Sci. 68: 587-591. Robert, C.A.M., M. Erb, B.E. Hibbard, B.W. French, C. Zwahlen, and T.C.J. Turlings. 2012. A specialist root herbivore reduces plant resistance and uses an induced plant volatile to aggregate in a density dependent manner. Func. Ecol. 26: 1429-1440. Wright, R. J., and L. J. Meinke. 2012. Results from consultant survey on Bt corn rootworm damage. CropWatch Newsletter 3 February 2012. http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/cropwatch/archive?articleID=4734708. Wright, R. J., T. E. Hunt, and L. J. Meinke. 2013. Corn rootworm management update 2013. pp. 31-32, In: Proceedings Crop Protection Clinics, Univ. Nebr. Extension. Zukoff, S.N., W. Bailey, M.R. Ellersieck, and B.E. Hibbard. 2012. Western corn rootworm larval movement in SmartStax seed blend scenarios. J. Econ. Entomol. 105: 1248-1260. 2013: Bernklau, E. J., B. E. Hibbard, and L. B. Bjostad. 2013. Isolation and characterization of host recognition cues in corn roots for larvae of the western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol.106: 2354-2363. Chu, C-C., J.L. Spencer, J.A. Zavala, and M.J. Seufferheld. 2013. Insect-microbiota interactions facilitate resistance to crop rotation in the western corn rootworm. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 110: 11917-11922. Cullen, E. M., and K. M. Holm. 2013. Aligning insect IPM programs with a cropping systems perspective: Cover crops and cultural pest control in Wisconsin organic corn and soybean. Agroecol. Sustain. Food Sys. 37: 550-577. Cullen, E. M., M. E. Gray, A. J. Gassmann, and B. E. Hibbard. 2013. Resistance to Bt corn by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the U.S. corn belt. J. Integr. Pest Manag. 4: 2013; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM13012. Devos, Y., L. N. Meihls, J. Kiss, and B. E. Hibbard. 2013. Resistance evolution to the first generation of genetically modified Diabrotica-active Bt-maize events by western corn rootworm: management and monitoring considerations. Transgenic Res. 22: 269-299. Dunbar, M. W. and Gassmann, A. J. 2013. Abundance and distribution of western and northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) and prevalence of rotation resistance in eastern Iowa. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 168-180. Frank, D. L., A. Zukoff, J. Barry, M. L. Higdon, and B. E. Hibbard. 2013. Development of resistance to eCry3.1Ab-expressing transgenic maize in a laboratory-selected population of western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 2267-2684. Geisert, R.W., and L. J. Meinke. 2013. Frequency and distribution of extended diapause in Nebraska populations of Diabrotica barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1619-1627. Hodgson, E., and A. Gassmann. 2013. Time to assess corn rootworm activity in Iowa. In: Integrated Crop Management News. 31 July 2013. Hodgson, E.,and A. Sisson. 2013. Corn rootworm hatch underway in 2013. In: Integrated Crop Management News. 14 June 2013. Hodgson, E., K. Schaefer, and A. Gassmann. 2013. Iowa Farmer perception of corn rootworm resistance. In: Integrated Crop Management News. 13 September 2013. Lundgren, J. G. and J. J. Duan. 2013. RNAi-based insecticidal crops: A novel paradigm in risk to non-target species. Bioscience 63(8): 657-665. Mikac, K. M., J. Douglas, and J. L. Spencer. 2013. Wing shape and size of the western corn rootworm is related to sex and resistance to soybean-maize crop rotation. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1517-1524. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., A. P. Alves, R. E. Estes, M. E. Gray, L. J. Meinke, E. J. Shields, S. D. Thompson, N. A. Tinsley, and A. J. Gassmann. 2013. Applying an integrated refuge to manage western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): effects on survival, fitness and selection pressure. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 2195-2207. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., Jaronski, S. T., Clifton, E. H., Dunbar, M. W., Jackson, M. A. and Gassmann, A. J. 2013. Interactions among Bt maize, entomopathogens and rootworm species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in the field: effects on survival, yield and root injury. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 622-632. Petzold-Maxwell, J. L., L. J. Meinke, M. E. Gray, R. E. Estes, and A. J. Gassmann. 2013. Effect of Bt maize and soil insecticides on yield, injury, and rootworm survival: implications for resistance management. J. Econ. Entomol. 106: 1941-1951. Prasifka, J. R., J. L. Spencer, N. A. Tinsley, R. E. Estes, and M. E. Gray. 2013. Adult activity and oviposition of corn rootworms, Diabrotica spp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), in Miscanthus, corn and switchgrass. J. Appl. Entomol. 137: 481-487. Robert, C. A. M., M. Erb, I. Hiltpold, B. E. Hibbard, M. D. P. Gaillard, J. Bilat. J. Degenhardt, X. Cambet-Petit-Jean, T. C. J. Turlings, and C. Zwahlen. 2013. Genetically engineered maize plants reveal distinct costs and benefits of constitutive volatile emissions in the field. Plant Biotechnol. J. 11: 628-639. Robert, C. A. M., D. L. Frank, K. A. Leach, T. C. J. Turlings, B. E. Hibbard, and M. Erb. 2013. Direct and indirect plant defenses are not suppressed by endosymbionts of a specialist root herbivore. J. Chem. Ecol. 39: 507-515. Rudeen, M. L., and A. J. Gassmann. 2013. Effects of Cry34/35Ab1 corn on survival and development of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Pest Manag. Sci. 69: 709-716. Schmidt, J. M., J. A. Peterson, J. G. Lundgren, and J. D. Harwood. Dietary supplementation with non-prey food enhances fitness of a predatory arthropod. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 149: 282-291. Spencer, J., D. Onstad, C. Krupke, S. Hughson, Z. Pan, B. Stanley, and L. Flexner. 2013. Isolated females and limited males: evolution of insect resistance in structured landscapes. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 146: 38-49. Tinsley, N. A., R. E. Estes, and M. E. Gray. 2013. Validation of a nested error component model to estimate damage caused by corn rootworm larvae. J. Appl. Entomol. 137: 161-169. Valencia, A., A. P. Alves, and B. D. Siegfried. 2013. Molecular cloning and functional characterization of an endogenous endoglucananse belonging to GHF45 from the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera. Gene 513: 260-267. Venkata, B. P., N. Lauter, X. Li, C.Chapple, C. Krupke, G. Johal, and S. Moose. 2013. crw1 - A novel maize mutant highly susceptible to foliar damage by the western corn rootworm beetle. PLoS ONE 8(8): e71296. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071296 . Wang, H., B. S. Coates, H. Chen, T. W. Sappington, T. Guillemaud, and B. D. Siegfried. 2013. Role of a gamma-aminobutryic acid (GABA) receptor mutation in the evolution and spread of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera resistance to cyclodiene insecticides. Insect Mol. Biol. 22: 473-484. Zhao, Zixiao. 2013. Effects of a corn root defense substance on western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte Larvae. M. S. Thesis. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 2014: Hiltpold, I., E. J. Bernklau, L. B. Bjostad, N. Alvarez, N. E. Miller-Struttmann, J. G. Lundgren, and B. E. Hibbard. The role of rhizospheric chemical exudates in the ecology, physiology, evolution and management of the root-mediated interactions between insect herbivores and plant roots. Adv. Insect Physiol. (Accepted, In Press). Kang, J., C.H. Krupke, A.F. Murphy, J.L. Spencer, M.E. Gray, and D.W. Onstad. 2014. Modeling a western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) maturation delay and resistance evolution in Bt corn. Pest Manag. Sci. (In Press). Marquardt, P. T., C. H. Krupke, J. J. Camberato, and W. G. Johnson. 2014. The effect of nitrogen rate on transgenic corn Bt protein expression. Pest Mgt. Sci. 70: 763-770. Meinke, L. J., D. S. Wangila, R. J. Wright, T. E. Hunt, and G. R. Kruger. 2014. Corn rootworm management update. pp. 30-34, In: Proceedings Crop Protection Clinics, Univ. Nebr. Extension. Muturi, E. J., J. L. Spencer and B. F. Allan. 2014. Influence of biofuel crops on mosquito production and oviposition site selection. Global Change Biol. Bioenergy 6: 61-66. Spencer, J. L., S. A. Hughson, and E. Levine. 2014. Resistance to crop rotation. Chapter 7 (pages 233-278) in Insect Resistance Management: Biology, Economics and Prediction, 2nd Ed., D. W. Onstad, (ed.) Academic Press. Oxford, UK. 538 p.

Impact Statements

[Note: Impacts refer back to same numbered accomplishments above] The 2013 EPA SAP incorporated some of the ideas in the "Fringe" white paper into its final report, and the EPA now views the eastern and western Corn Belts as different. In addition, Extension Entomologists in the Eastern Corn Belt now present a single, standard recommendation for rootworm Bt resistance management that differs from those more appropriate to the Western Corn Belt.
In the cases of suspected resistance to mCry3A revealed in the central Michigan livestock area resistance management initiative, all of those fields were rotated in 2014. This will help achieve the long-term goal of slowing the development and spread of Bt resistance in the state.
Confirmation of field-evolved resistance in WCR to Cry3Bb1 or mCry3A will help guide proactive decision-making by growers in those areas to manage their fields in a way that protects yield from rootworm damage while slowing further resistance development and spread.
Producers across east central and central Illinois are now encouraged to look for corn rootworm injury in their first-year cornfields. Farmers are encouraged and are learning that the time to begin thinking about how best to protect against corn rootworm damage in the upcoming season is during the season before. Producers in the most severely affected areas (central and east central) of Illinois were encouraged to consider the use of pyramided Bt hybrids (hybrids expressing more than one rootworm Cry protein) in 2014.
Realistic assumptions of WCR movement revealed by the study on adult distribution relative to refuge plants will be critical to developing and refining models examining pest resistance to Bt crops, including those planted with refuge mixed randomly with Bt seed in the bag. Properly parameterized models will increase confidence in predicted product durability and help preserve the sustainability of Bt technology.
Further study of ascending WCR will allow us to better understand the movement potential of all WCR populations and details of dispersal by Bt-resistant vs. Bt-susceptible adults. This information is important for improving IRM for Bt traits and establishing protocols for mitigation of WCR resistance to Bt corn.

Date of Annual Report: 03/06/2015

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/26/2015 - 01/28/2015
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2013 - 09/01/2014

Participants

Boetel, Mark (mark.boetel@ndsu.edu) - North Dakota State University;
Bynum, Ed (ebynum@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University;
Coates, Brad (brad.coates@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS and Iowa State University;
DiFonzo, Chris (difonzo@msu.edu) - Michigan State University;
Fisher, Kelsey (kefisher@udel.edu) - University of Delaware;
French, Wade (wade.french@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS (Brookings, SD);
Fuller, Billy (Billy.Fuller@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University;
Gassmann, Aaron (aaronjg@iastate.edu) - Iowa State University;
Gray, Michael (megray@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois;
Hellmich, Richard (Richard.Hellmich@ars.usda.gov) USDA-ARS (Ames, IA);
Hibbard, Bruce (hibbardb@missouri.edu) - USDA-ARS (Columbia, MO);
Hurley, Terry (tmh@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota;
Jensen, Bryan (bmjense1@wisc.edu - University of Wisconsin, Madison;
McManus, Bradley (Bradley.McManus@sdstate.edu) - South Dakota State University;
Mason, Chuck (mason@udel.edu) - University of Delaware;
Meinke, Lance (lmeinke1@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Michel, Andy (michel.70@osu.edu) - The Ohio State University;
Mitchell, Paul (pdmitchell@wisc.edu) - University of Wisconsin;
Ostlie, Ken (ostli001@umn.edu) - University of Minnesota;
Porter, Pat (p-porter@ag.tamu.edu) - Texas A&M University;
Sappington, Tom (Tom.Sappington@ars.usda.gov) - USDA-ARS and Iowa State University;
Schaafsma Art, (aschaafs@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph;
Silva, Jose Paulo (jpgfdsilva@gmail.com) - University of Nebraska;
Spencer, Joe (spencer1@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois;
Smith, Jocelyn (jocelyn.smith@uoguelph.ca) - University of Guelph;
Tooker, John (tooker@psu.edu) - Pennsylvania State University;
Tinsley, Nick (tinsley@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois;
Velez, Ana Maria (avelezarango2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Wright, Bob (rwright2@unl.edu) - University of Nebraska;
Zukoff, Sarah, snzukoff@ksu.edu - Kansas State University;

Brief Summary of Minutes

[Local arrangements, Ed Bynum and Pat Porter]

[NCCC46 Minutes taken by Joseph Spencer, Secretary]

Meeting called to order, 26 Jan 2015 at 8:00 am, Art Schafsma, Chair; John Tooker, Vice Chair

Local Arrangements (Ed Bynum): $40 for NCCC46, $40 Joint Meeting ($40 NC205). All three for $120.

Introductions:

2014 meeting minutes: approved with one correction.

Nomination committee (for Secretary) – Chuck Mason and Elson Shields will develop a list.

Time and place–

Brasilia has been suggested for 2016; discussion of motivations, airfare estimates ($1200-$1500) follows, agree to continue discussion with NC205 for eventual vote.

Additional Agenda Items:

• Reminder about returning Soil Pest Survey, distributed before meeting.

• Wade French introduced letter from Sharon Papiernik requesting input on support of corn rootworm colonies maintained at NCARL. Funding issues may lead to reduction of rootworm colonies that are a major resource needed for national research on corn rootworm. NCCC46 Group and/or individual letters voicing support were discussed.

Final NCCC46 project meeting details; merger to form new project (NC246) proposal update (Tom Sappington)

• NC205 ends 9/30/15; NC246 begins 10/1/2015. NCCC46 will not submit renewal and be allowed to expire. Committees will be fully integrated in Oct 2016; first meeting under new format in January 2017.

• Tom S. presented 205 and 046 governance structures 2014, 2015, & 2016. Above ground and below ground pest subcommittees are a favorable option.

Current differences in leadership transitions for groups will lead to an extra officer if secretaries are chosen in 205 and 046. A motion was proposed and approved by vote that elected secretaries (serving a 2-year term) of both subcommittees will rotate to Lep (above ground pests) or Rootworm (below ground pests) subcommittee vice chairs (serving a 2-year term) and conduct subcommittee meeting with Sec’y. The following year, one vice chair becomes Chair and organizes the joint above ground and below ground session that occurs between the meetings, the other Vice Chair organizes the joint session the following year.

Recap of Activities and Influence: Significant communications with growers, seed/ grain-handling/processing industry, state regulators, commodity commissions, etc.

• Bob W. CRW Management Webinar is freely accessible on Plant Management Network under Focus on Corn.

• John T. Participated in Penn State Ag Committee hearings on GMO labeling.

• Pat P., Ed B. and Sarah Z. Industry is facilitating seed blend stewardship.

• John T. Leeland Glenna survey is published.

• Elson S. and Others. Discussion on improved research environment for GMO studies continues. Some Universities may not have full openness. Significant progress on openness, but many resistance issues are only public long after the fact. Company and representative-specific levels of communication vary. Lack of resistance data sharing slows appropriate management responses. Discussion of mitigating resistance is silly—it cannot be undone; growers are focusing on population management. Important that non-Bt hybrids be available for use with soil applied insecticides (SAI); group statement on CRW IRM may be needed in light of EPA draft guidelines for ‘preventing’ resistance.

Bt resistance in rotated corn – (Joe Spencer):

• Confirmed rotation-resistant WCR resistance to Cry3Bb1 and mCry3a in Livingston and Kankakee Co. in Illinois, reduced susceptibility in Champaign Co. Solicited comment on similar situations in other states. SAI is increasing in response.

Discussion on refuge theory for rootworms in Bt corn (led by Bruce Hibbard).

• All of the starting assumptions about WCR biology and Bt corn/refuge strategy were wrong—among these are Bt toxin dose and refuge:Bt populations. Refuges (block or blend) produce too few beetles, designs are not ideal and IPM is not occuring—poor application of CRW refuge hurts refuge concept in general. Is having no CRW refuge preferable to bad refuge? Integrated CRW refuge could select for ECB resistance. Could an entirely IPM plan work better where CRW populations are managed until high dose product is introduced with robust IRM+IPM plan from the beginning. Difficult to manage CRW and Lep pests in a way that is true to IPM/IRM for both. Issue is complex mixture of SCIENCE and POLICY; NCCC46 group must focus on SCIENCE and documentation to influence POLICY.

o A motion was proposed and passed to develop a document that is circulated to the groups and eventually to EPA to highlight concerns about current refuge requirements, conditions, responses that do not serve CRW IRM and may be putting Lep pest at increased for resistance.

Bt bioassays on WCR – updates from around the Corn Belt (led by Art S.).

• Aaron G. ISU bioassays document resistance/cross-resistance to all Cry3 toxins, reduced susceptibility to Cry34/35 in some field populations with history of continuous corn as part of longer rotations. Pyramid issues can be attributed to Cry3 resistance.

Canada and neonicotinoids (NNi) (led by Art S.).

• NNi use in agriculture “is not always just a science agenda” issue; beekeepers are pitted against grain farmers; Canadian provincial politics are factoring in. There are new conditions to purchase NNi’s—seed and pesticide vendors are all treated like pesticide vendors. Use of NNi’s is being conflated with anti-pesticide movement.

Grubs, wireworms and millipedes – perception or threat.

• Chris D. lead discussion/analysis of the below ground soil pest survey results (14 responses). Among most commonly reported risks-Asiatic Garden Beetle, grubs, wireworms. Regarding changes in risk, some feeling that wireworms are an increasing issue. Overall, few growers scout, few thresholds are judged adequate. NNi’s provide some wireworm management; (Canada) anti-seed treatment/anti-pesticide movement will make pest management difficult. (ND) unpredictability of wireworms complicates assessment of treatment efficacy.

State Reports begin:

Objective 1: Coordinate the evaluation and reporting of registered and experimental management options, including rootworm-resistant transgenic hybrids and new classes of insecticide chemistry. These studies include not only efficacy, but also quantification of subtle impacts of management on rootworm biology, behavior, resistance management, and how these parameters may impact overall sustainability within the corn agroecosystem. For commercially-available products, this will include across-product, industry-wide comparisons.

Objective 2: Coordinate original research on rootworm biology, ecology, physiology, mating, dispersal, and survival, and potential changes in host range across environments and production systems. This includes 1) characterizing rootworm ecology and trophic interactions in conventional production systems as well as those that include novel (biomass/biofuel) crops or genetically-modified host plants, 2) characterizing the status and spread of behaviorally and/or physiologically resistant rootworms (and associated resistance alleles) and the patterns of gene flow within and between local and regional populations, 3) applying the current biological and ecological data to parameterize, evaluate and improve corn rootworm resistance modeling and IRM plans under different resistance management scenarios for transgenic corn hybrids, and 4) facilitating and encouraging coordination, preservation, and generation of WCR genomics resources, including preparation for a genome sequencing project.

Nebraska – Lance Meinke:

• 9 populations sampled/bioassayed in 2013/2014

• Lots of performance inquires, but less than 2013

• “Neighborhood” 3Bb1 problems noted; no evidence of Cry34/35Ab1 problems.

• More pyramids and crop rotation in use; increased SAI use. Hard to find fieldsites due to management for yield—not worrying about IRM.

• Some Bifenthrin (Capture) resistance in field; often used with pyramids

Minnesota – Ken Ostlie:

• A few CRW hotspots, but down overall. Pop shift toward NCR due to cold winter

• Estimates 50% of continuous corn with SAI on Bt traits, 25% of rotated corn with insecticide on Bt traits. There is an increase in scouting with desire to use non-Bt corn.

North Dakota – Mark Boetel:

• No confirmed 3Bb1 resistance. Alleged ’13 Cry3Bb1 problem fields had dramatic pop declines to 5% WCR from 70% WCR in ‘13. Winter of ‘13/’14 saw 70d with temps below 0 F.

South Dakota – Billy Fuller:

• Downed fields were single traits w/o SAI.

• Poor grower access to non-Bt, non-NNi hybrids.

South Dakota – Wade French:

• Fields with problems exist; farmer believed there were extended diapause problems

New York – Elson Shields:

• 2013: three fields went down; nothing in 2014 in same fields

• More crop rotation in response to low corn prices

Pennsylvania – John Tooker:

• Three counties with Cry3Bb1 and mCry3a problems, but separated by mountains.

• Collected beetles were sent to Jocelyn S. for bioassay.

• Report on interesting Slug research (in soybean): Where you have neonicotinoids (NNi) in use, slugs are worse. Slugs eat NNi plants, carabids eat slugs and they are harmed. NNi’s likely in gut contents since ‘back slime’ did not contain NNi.

Canada – Jocelyn Smith (reporting for Andrea Hitchon):

• 2013: 9 populations tested, no confirmed Canada resistance; one possible 2014 field.

• Diet bioassay optimization continues; some probs w/ contamination and high control mortality.

Michigan – Chris Difonzo:

• 2013 PI fields (2-Cry3Bb1 fields, 1-mCry3A); pops tested resistant to Cry3Bb1. mCry3A field was rotated in ‘14, others were SSX + SAI.

Kansas – Sarah Zukoff:

• DuPont’s ‘Indoxicarb’ used for adult control in corn: 99% kill w/in 3h in lab, 95% kill in field w/ 4 week residual.

RNAi Topic

Nebraska – Ana Maria Velez:

• A few (n=5) introduced lethal genes are already in corn (work with DowAgrosciences)

• Looking at fertility and other CRW genes.

• RNAi risk assessment underway for bees; looks good because bees are hard to kill with RNAi.

• End of decade for commercialization.

• RNAi alone is a slow-to-kill product (never will be available alone); combined with Cry toxin makes for quicker kill. Eventually may have multiple RNAi’s in pyramids

RNAi Comments:

Steve Bradbury (formerly of EPA):

• Highly specific RNAi effects will suggest focused testing targets.

• RNAi subject to degredation in human gut—less risk.

Delaware – Chuck Mason:

• What is the IPM strategy for RNAi; what will be available for used as part of IPM strategy?.

Nebraska – Lance Meinke:

• How will we convince growers not to use RNAi products as a silver bullet?

Canada – Art Schaafsma:

• Does NCCC46 need to address integration of RNAi into IPM?

Texas – Pat Porter:

• Any possible letter needs to address the RNAi dose issue; but we know little at dose.

Illinois – Michael Gray:

• Concern about pyramiding RNAi with already compromised traits.

Adjourned at 5:00 p.m.;

reconvened at 8:00 a.m. on 27 Jan 2015

Nominations committee report:

• Chuck M. and Elson S. nominate Jocelyn Smith for NCCC46 secretary. She accepts nomination, Motion to vote is made and seconded, nominee is elected secretary for 2016 meeting by vote.

Time and Place committee:

• Tom Sappington and Terry Hurley propose Brasilia (Brazil).

• Discussion. Concern over cost. Motion is made to recommend Brasilia in 2016, is seconded.

• Airfare would be $1200-$1500, plus hotel. Noted that location is not conducive graduate student attendance—this is a problem when we leave the region, as we have for three years. Should the subcommittees meet separately in 2016?

• Timing and location would allow first-hand look at Helicoverpa armigera and resistant Fall Army Worm. Brasilia group is interested in NC205-like organization in Brazil.

• Vote on motion was Yea-2, Nay->>2; motion defeated. Time and place committee to find an alternative time and place with understanding that we need to discuss with NC205.

Other Business:

Re: Support for the Brookings Laboratory (NCARL) and maintenance of CRW colonies.

• Bruce H. suggested compiling list of grants and papers that depended on the CRW colonies.

Re: NCCC46/NC205 Organizational Chart (Tom S.):

• Below ground subcommittee = BwG; Above ground subcommittee = AbG

• Vice chair succession? – vote or decide between Vice Chairs or alternate chairs by year?

• AbG vice chair is chair of AbG subcommittee and runs that part of the meeting, same for BwG subcommittee.

Return to State Reports

Delaware – Chuck Mason:

• WCR is a cyclic problem (1 of 5 years). Grubs are occasional issue. Growing slug problems.

New York – Elson Shields:

• “Inoculative releases of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and mutli-year persistence across crop rotation.

• Alfalfa snout beetle is managed with EPNs, can this work for CRW? Applications of S. Feltiae in 2009 that have persisted through 2013 across multiple crops in rotation. Funded by grower supported groups in NY. These are easily reared on Wax Moth larvae—25 million EPN from 250 wax moth larvae: takes 3-5 years to establish EPN. “We have to get out of the pesticide mode”

Minnesota – Ken Ostlie:

• Comparing 5-different sticky trap captures in corn and damage the following year.

• Mixed species fields suggest species respond differently to traps.

Nebraska – Lance Meinke:

• New Faculty at North Platte (Julie Petersen) looking at native CRW biocontrol in NE.

• Multiple efforts to look at resistance mechanisms in CRW and new colonies.

• Weed science project looking at corn, weeds and WCR: phonological interactions with weeds may pull late WCR to weeds and increase late season fitness and egglaying around weeds.

Iowa – Brad Coates:

• Work on QTL map of OP resistance.

• WCR genome structure and work to assemble the genome.

• Work with Monsanto on improved genome library

• Work on physical map of WCR genome

Iowa – Aaron Gassmann:

• Landscape level look at 3Bb1 resistance: sample widely and randomly vs. use of past problem fields to guide choices for sampling.

• Studying variation in insecticide susceptibility in Iowa.

Iowa – Tom Sappington:

• Doing work to look at movement with methods that may offer improved detection of genetic structuring. Samples in the historic WCR home range are used to determine the geographic size of the WCR population. Wright’s genetic neighborhood idea is used. Sampling with whole plant counts (54 plants/field) to get adult DNA. Wallace Co. KS was done in 2013. Also needed % are of corn in landscape. Cropscape at National Agricultural Statistics Service in cropland layer provides % data.

More discussion of meeting in Brasilia at Imbrapa facility in 2016, now with NC205 Chair, Tom Hunt:

• Pros and cons- cost of travel ($1100-$1500 roundtrip—direct flight to Brasilia from ATL); Ag Expt Stations may fund travel? There is a VISA cost of a few $100s. NC205 had previously voted for this; group tends to go international once per decade. Would need approval of the NC committee of 9, then decision from Ag Expt Stations.

• Art S. asked time and place committee to come up with a ‘Plan B’ location.

Return to State Reports

Illinois – Michael Gray:

• There are few ECB in Illinois. There will be a focus on pest survey in 2015 with program changes—no efficacy trials. These reports are valued by growers, though financial support for them is declining.

Iowa – Tom Sappington:

• ARS has a mandate to review the need for NNi on corn, cotton and soy (meta-analysis of old and new data). 1-yr timeframe. Many past efficacy trials may be valuable data sources.

Texas – Pat Porter:

• There are issues with 34/35Ab1, but no documentation since growers approach consultants/technology providers before University.

Missouri – Bruce Hibbard:

• JAE articles detail a Glycerol Lipid as host acceptance compound.

• EU cooperation on EPN work w/ MO to develop EPN as an IRM tool for Bt corn. There are US corn lines that do emit Caryophylene.

• Monsanto-funded diet study has produced beetles; contamination is a problem.

• R. Geisert work on eCry3.1Ab indicates R-trait has dominant inheritance.

• Working with MN looking for R-populations with all Bt-R assays; variable results, but increased resistance to Cry3Bb1, mCry3A and Cry34/35Ab1. No widespread 34/35 problems.

Wisconsin – Bryan Jensen:

• No report, but will continue efficacy trials.

• Resistance issues include poor communication from Industry; don’t learn of problem fields.

• Lots of rotation in pockets with continuous corn.

• Few fields (out of 200) with more than 1 beetle per plant. Overall low beetle numbers.

Wisconsin – Paul Mitchell:

• Working with Monsanto on-farm project; only anecdotal Bt-R probs.

Kansas – Sarah Zukoff:

• High overhead on trials will reduce number of trials.

• CRW irrigation study, with and without Bt, drought tolerant hybrids to address how reduced water will affect CRW growth and development. A plant stress focus is included.

Wrap-up Work

• Impact Statements - Reminder to look at impacts in NIMMS system. Membership is to send paper lists and highlight some impacts.

• Brookings Lab Impacts:

o ARS is not a service organization, need to document collaboration in publications. NCARL has had far-reaching impact on all aspects of CRW biology research. Please send pubs with input from Brookings lab to Wade F. and Bruce H.

o Must remind ARS that this is research conducted on behalf of the Nation, for national good. Colonies are a research resource, used by Wade and others.

o Severe cuts would impact ARS and collaborative (e.g. EU) research.

o Motion to consult with Committee Advisor, Steve Pueppke, re: authoring a NCCC46 letter of support was proposed, seconded and approved by voice vote. Bruce H. will compose and circulate to extension group.

• Time and Place committee report (Ken O. and Pat P.):

o Suggest Sioux Falls, SD-Billy F. would host.

o Motion to go to Sioux Falls, SD in 2016 as a back-up if Brasilia is not supported was made, seconded and approved by vote.

• NCCC46 meeting adjorned at 11:50 a.m.

___

NC205/NCCC46 JOINT MEETING, San Antonio, TX

January 27-28, 2015

The Menger Hotel

San Antonio, TX

[Local arrangements, Ed Bynum and Pat Porter]

[NCCC46 NC205 Minutes taken by Joseph Spencer and Tom Sappington, Secretaries]

Meeting called to order, 27 Jan 2015 at 1:30 p.m., by Tom Hunt (NC205 Chair)

Welcome - Tom Hunt, UNL (Chair NC205) & Art Schaafsma, Univ. of Guelph (Chair NCCC46)

Local Arrangements (Ed Bynum): $40 for NCCC46, $40 Joint Meeting ($40 NC205). All three for $120.

Introductions and General Announcements

Tuesday afternoon, January 27 (1:30 - 5:00)

OPEN SESSION

Status of Neonicotinoid Discussions in Ontario - Art Schaafsma, Univ. of Guelph:

• Treated seeds now classed as a pesticide.

• Many restrictive rules in place in Ontario: Is it about bees, neonicotinoids (NNi’s), pesticide, anti-pesticide, in-season or overwintering bee mortality? What is REALLY going on?

• Dust from abraded seed is an issue, less visible drift of soil with residues (100x less NNi). Residues half-life in soil is 0.5-0.6 yr.

• Government target is to reduce acres treated by by 80% in 3 yrs.Industry target to reduce non-target dust exposure by 80% in 3 yrs

• A maximum of 2% of NNi placed on seed is escaping the system; planting time dust is greatest contamination risk.

Perspectives on cost-benefit analyses for pesticide registration decisions, with a focus on the neonicotinoids - Steven P. Bradbury, ISU Visiting Scientist.

• EPA has a high-throughput decision-making process.

• Need 99.99% certainty that residues are safe. Cannot harm human health or Environmt.

• A tiered approach is used to characterize risk. In the future, a more probabilistic approach is envisioned.

• The agency doesn’t have to be sure that there is no cost to consumers, but must keep risk low enough to keep risk:benefit lower. Not a cookie-cutter approach.

• Examples: Carbofuran was cancelled because the benefits did not justify the risk to birds. Guthion cancellation was delayed while alternatives were coming to market. NNi have low mammalian and avian toxicity; and are a low risk replacement for OPs and carbamates.

• What are the benefits of NNi? Soybean example: If no benefit, then there is no acceptable risk—easy to decide!

Value of Insect Pest Management in the USA and Canada: Where do Neonicotinoids fit in?, with Yield and Economic Benefits of Neonicotinoids - Terrance Hurley, Univ. of Minn, Paul Mitchell, Univ. of Wisc.

• “Project is an analytical framework of data triangulation”; 14 PhDs at work.

• Full report is available at GrowingMatters.org

• Document percentage acres treated with NNI’s, primary NNi targets, non-NNi chemical use.

• 90% of NNi use is as seed treatments, 98% of NNi-treated acres are treated via seed trtmnts.

• Without NNi’s, estimated that total yearly production costs increase by $848 Million or $7.30/acre.

• Farmer survey of 1700 farmers (1000 US, 700 Canada); most want NNi’s as an option. 49% believe they are managing CRW with NNi’s, 41% believe they are managing ECB with NNi’s.

• Some disconnect—91%/92% of US/Canada growers plant CRW Bt seed; 62%/72% say they are using a NNi seed treatment; all CRW Bt seed is NNi-treated.

• 38% scout corn, 84% scout soybean—among these 52% and 69% say it was “deliberate”.

• Perceived value of Bt seed treatment to corn growers is $13.38/a compared to $20/a for Bt traits, $12.9/a for SAI, and $14.9/a for foliar insecticide.

• North American value of seed treatment is estimated at $1.4 Billion.

• Overall benefit of NNi to crops is 4.4% in corn, 0.2% in soybean.

• Without NNi’s, corn would cost $0.25/bu more.

• Question: what is the ecological relevance of NNi’s to groundwater?

CLOSED SESSION

Pioneer/DuPont Discussion of seed treatments and CRW IRM - Clint Pilcher et al.

Adjourned at 5:00 p.m.;

reconvened at 8:00 a.m. 28 Jan 2015.

OPEN SESSION

Administrative Report - Steve Pueppke, MSU (via Skype):

• NCCC46-NC205 merger is on track.

• 1 October 2015, new NC246 will begin. NCCC46 will continue and expire on 30 September 2016. Amended governance proposal (succession of officers) should be sent to Steve for inclusion into packet for Chris Hamilton.

• Meeting location in Brasilia? Need vote of Appendix E members. Alternative site has been suggested (Sioux Falls, SD). Neither would have approval issues.

• Other issues that are not on the radar?

o Letter to highlight need for IPM in IRM

o Brookings Lab possible funding reduction—how to provide input? Diplomatic letter to USDA/ARS.

o Hibbard sponsored letter suggesting that refuge for low-dose products may do more harm than good for Lepidopteran pests in this system. CRW refuge threatens Lep trait IRM.

Brazil Meeting in Jan 2016 discussion (lead by Tom Hunt):

• Need ca. $200 Visa (takes two weeks, good for 10 yr)

• Airfare is ca. $1100-$1600; USDA must stay in certified hotel.

• January is in Brazilian growing season

• Web conferencing is possible in both directions.

• Other issues that are not on the radar?

Possible Workshop at the IPPC in Berlin, Germany August 24-27, 2015 (lead by Tom Hunt):

• Workshop on movement and IRM sponsored by NC205

• Early registration closes in late Feb.

EPA proposal to address key SAP recommendations for corn rootworm and changes to the current resistance monitoring program - Jeannette Martinez, EPA:

• New docket is now open regarding changes to CRW resistance monitoring program: (Docket #14P-0274; notice of availability is: OPP-2014-0805)

• 5 elements: 1) Use IPM approach for CRW resistance management, 2) Implement proactive methods to detect resistance, 3) Remove random sampling, 4) Adopt on-plant bioassays-drop diet bioassays, and 5) Enhance current remedial action plan.

• 1) Refuge alone is insufficient to manage resistant WCR. Goal is to have mandatory stewardship program (includes crop rotations, multiple MOAs, non-Bt + SAI.)

o But: No real pyramids

o EPA: still benefit from pyramid.

o Goal: Adoption would have two-tiered approach reflecting intensity of Bt use. Corn states: 50% of acres use rotation, Fringe areas: 33% rotation.

• Detecting unexpected damage (UXD): field failures are the indicators, random sampling is a failure. Use 0.5 NIS threshold on pyramids, 1.0 NIS threshold for single PIPs. Collect adults in same field, use on-plant bioassays, immediately implement BMPs.

o If UXD is found, increase mitigation participation (BMPs) to greater than 75% of nearby acres.

• It is a challenge to define the remediation zone. Need more information about geography of remediation and empirical dispersal data.

o Hotspot scenario vs. multiple farms and a regional occurrence.

• Standard Language is needed: BMPs, UXD, IPM and it must be communicated in multiple ways (bag tag, user guides…)

o Are growers facing a 3-years and out scenario?

o How do low dose products for certain Leps fit in (e.g. H. zea)?

o Criticism: Land Grant Universities have been advocating IPM for decades, yet resistance keeps coming. Growers have information, but they act in their SHORT TERM best interest.

o Criticism: The rules have no teeth and resistance is out there. We need to focus on Lepidopteran pests. CRW remediation may have little value. Presently should focus on Lepidopteran pests refuges; Attend to CRW suppression of current hot spots. Future offerings are chance to initiate truly sound IPM+IRM.

ABSTC position and update on current IRM situation and report on refuge compliance - Jeffrey Bookout, Chair ABSTC.

• Majority of growers use refuge, cotton areas are an exception.

• RIB adoption is growing (5% in 2013 to 47% in 2014)

• Refuge compliance is 73% of all regions. Only 1% planted no refuge intentionally in E. Corn Belt (21% in cotton areas).

• Just 6% of corn acres have no CRW refuge.

• “Rotate your corn” and “Respect the Refuge” advertisement messages are in media.

Response to EPA Proposal - Tony Burd, ABSTC Technical Communications Chair.

• Industry promotes IPM approach and has done so for a long time.

• We can manage resistance, but we have be flexible enough to make participation possible for growers.

• IN favor of immediate implementation of BMP with UXD—regardless of whether resistance is documented at the time—the BMPs must work!

• Removal of random sampling is great.

• Re: replacement of diet bioassays: ABSTC prefers criteria of IRAC assay publication:

o Plant assay is not good for high-throughput nor is it cost effective

o Will continue to explore standard diet bioassays

• Re: Enhanced remedial action: A measurable response to UXD is needed. Remedial action can be useful—especially for low dose traits.

CLOSED SESSIONS

Monsanto report on CRW BMPs and monitoring - Matt Carroll and Sean Evans, Monsanto

Committee Discussions (IRM, Neonicotinoids, etc.)

• We need to think about ECB IRM. CRW needs will lead to more non-Bt corn and open the door to ECB. How long before populations build up?

• ECB is not gone; some areas in NE was found in 50% of non-Bt cornstalks. No ECB were noted in the prior year. ECB is out there.

• What is proactive Lep Bt-management; what are BMPs for Lep pests (beyond rotating MOAs?).

• For some areas it seems that “BMP “ is just the latest, greatest product—it is far from proactive. Field specific management means nothing for lepidopteran pests.

• Pollinator Management Plans will be part of NNi use guidelines.

• Also consider herbicide resistance management as part of IRM. Are there non-regulatory approaches to improving IRM.

• Should a response to the EPA Docket be for Corn Belt and include Fringe areas?

• Does rotation-resistant WCR problem necessitate a separate comment to the Docket?

• A general cover letter might emphasize that “It’s not that simple”—there is variation across the US and a regional response may be warranted.

Joint session adjourned at 12:00 noon 28 January 2015.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

Public and private sector laboratories across the US produced new information about resistance, genomics, and management efficacy based on uniform, high quality populations of western and northern corn rootworm produced by the USDA, ARS, North Central Agricultural Research Laboratory (NCARL) in Brookings, SD. Such uniformity maximizes the relevance of these data and their broad applicability across the Corn Belt.
Representatives of the US Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as Under Secretaries of the USDA and others in Washington have a better understanding of non-target impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides based on briefings by Land Grant Scientists held in Washington during 2014. This is a fast moving, politically charged issue in need of additional investigation, as well as dialogue between technical experts and policymakers.
Almost 5,000 growers, consultants, and researchers were armed with up-to-date information on corn rootworm management from Land Grant University scientist via webinars and the Plant Management Network?s Focus on Corn resource. This outreach effort was supported by a competitively awarded multi-institutional grant from NIFA.
Producers, agribusiness, and extension educators on the eastern fringe of the Corn Belt, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, have been prepared for the appearance of rootworm resistance to Bt corn. Unexpected damage in Bt corn has already been noted in these areas, and research and extension personnel are integrating new information with that from committee colleagues representing other Corn Belt zones.
Extension personnel are aware of the need for regional scale coordination of IRM strategies, based on new data about western corn rootworm dispersal patterns. Farmers thus have new, science-based options to deploy long-term integrated approaches to protect corn yield and mitigate western corn rootworm resistance to Bt corn.
Presentations and publications by Corn Belt extension entomologists reach wide audiences. Growers know that entomologists do not recommend use of a soil insecticide in combination with Bt hybrids, and thus unnecessary costs and environmental damage are being avoided. Growers in regions where rotation-resistant western corn rootworms are entrenched also know that the efficacy of Bt hybrids is independent of the presence or absence of rotation-resistance. And based on the results of focus groups with growers, extension entomologists have an improved understanding of how to deliver information and respond to real world concerns.