Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Bruce Hibbard ran through the slides he will present to address questions posed by EPA. In addition to these questions, the group discussed other questions that could be raised to EPA about non-target impacts and differential expression of Cry 34 and Cry 35. There was also a discussion of the non-target impact of the seed treatments on the transgenic seed and in the refuge. Chris Krupke was introduced as the replacement for Rich Edwards at Purdue  he has an extension, research, and teaching appointment. Management Guide Update (Ken Ostlie) " Motion, Bruce: Management guide be put in the hands of a project manager/editor. Motion passed unanimously. " Motion, Bruce: Susan Ratcliffe put forward as a project manager  will check to see if the IPM Center is still interested in this proposition. Motion passed unanimously. " Ken: Synthesized edit by Feb 4th will go out to NCR46 subcommittee. " Needed: Updated maps for WCR/ NCR distribution and damage AND variant People who are interested in acting as resource person for the guide: Ken Ostlie, Chris DiFonzo, Billy Fuller, Bruce Hibbard, Lance Meinke, Pat Porter (Ken, Pat, and Chris met Sunday evening and went over the guide) 2004 Minutes with minor corrections were distributed by Billy Fuller; a motion to accept was made, seconded, and approved. An initial report on time and place for the 2006 meeting was given by Chris Difonzo and Larry Bledsoe. Mark Sears volunteered Toronto as a location for 2006. Motion from Bruce Hibbard to go along with the NC 205 time and place committees decision was made and approved. Lance Meinke and Jon Tollefson nominated Tom Clark, University of Missouri, to serve as secretary for 2006. Motion was made and approved. New Business Discussion Bruce Hibbard passed out CDs with state reports. A discussion regarding whether state reports should be on CD or hard copies was opened. The committee decided to continue with CDs, and bring fewer hard copies for those who want them. European membership/outside participation: a. Jon Tollefson suggested it would be good to have European participation in the meeting and we should seek ways to help fund their travel expenses. However, Dennis Kopp indicated there may not be any U.S. dollars for their travel. It was decided to extend an invitation to European researchers who have funds to travel. b. Participation of regulatory colleagues. In 2004, committee members voted that regulatory colleagues should not attend. Dennis Kopp suggested that the NCR46 is an open meeting, but if private discussion is needed the committee members can have a closed session. A carefully written motion (Dennis Kopp, Jon Tollefson, and Bruce Hibbard) on this topic will be mailed by Bruce to committee members for a vote. In a motion that was e-mailed to official NCR-46 members in early February 2005, Bruce proposed that: "The NCR-46 committee encourages and welcomes all federal and state government scientists who are actively conducting Diabrotica research to participate in its meeting. As with all individuals attending the meetings, NCR-46 will expect active engagement in areas where these scientists can contribute their expertise. Individuals from regulatory agencies may be requested to leave during specific portions of the annual meeting should the committee feel it needs to go into executive session to discuss issues that may affect regulatory decisions." This motion passed 14 to 2. Steve Pueppke Report: NCR46 was selected by the NC region to prepare an impact statement. Some ideas suggested to show impact for bullet statements were the EPA letter for MON 863 working with NC205 on coordinated IRM, corn rootworm guide, Diabrotica consortium, and regional Poncho trial. NCR46 is up for renewal in 2006; rewrite is due in December 2005 on the NIMMS system. Note  might want to keep NCR46 designation and Steve can assist Billy Fuller (2006 Chair) in the rewrite. Bruce Tabashnik, University of Arizona, joined the discussion on transgenic corn by teleconference, while Bruce Hibbard ran through slides addressing questions posed by EPA. In addition to these questions, the group discussed other questions that could be raised to EPA about non-target impacts and differential expression of Cry 34 and Cry 35. There was also a discussion of the non-target impact of the seed treatments (high and low treatments) on the transgenic seed and in the refuge.

Distribution/ abundance MO-ARS: Good damage in field sites; also found a few northern corn rootworms emerging in a location lacking corn last year, possibly extended diapause. KS: Above average populations of western corn rootworms. IN: Interesting events. Corn rootworm numbers have increased since 1998, but in June 200-300% rainfall - 15 inches of rain in a 15 days period, just after egg hatch. Soils were saturated across northern 1/3 of state. Corn rootworm pressure was low in research fields resulting in very little emergence in these fields. But in August, cool weather, wind patterns were from the north, astounded that field repopulated possibly from corn rootworms moving from IL. Highway 70 cuts state in half, which is the normal boundary for variant (variant not occurring below); this year however, variant was found three counties south of highway - transport event may have pushed adults further south into soybeans. TX: Record rains, no economic infestations. MI: Record rain in May. Wet soils reduced populations in some places. In others, simply delayed planting and corn rootworm emergence was high. Found surprisingly high number of northern corn rootworms at some locations. OH: Variant numbers were up considerably in NW Ohio (soybeans sampled by yellow sticky traps). Rated roots from corn on soy, pressure was very low. Had trials comparing Bt and non-Bt, no roots over a 3.0 on the old scale, even in untreated plots. One field in Wood County (NW Ohio) full of northern corn rootworms; assume it is an extended diapause situation. MN: With a cold winter and wet spring, expected reduction in corn rootworms. Eggs seemed to come through well. Cool summer delayed adult emergence. Extended diapause problems were observed in the same areas as in previous years. Ken Ostlie is establishing a study with MN Department of Agriculture to examine corn phenology in relation to of extended diapause regions. IA: Observed moderate abundance of corn rootworms. Put out sticky traps in 22 soy fields, and dug roots in adjacent 1st year corn - no injury on the corn roots, and few corn rootworms in soybean. But Pioneer reported corn rootworm adults emerging in one field following soybean in the Durant area (seedcorn production area  in the NE part of the state near IL). There was late emergence of corn rootworms in an area in north central part of state, and in many locations. SD: Infestation levels were moderate at research locations. Europe: Distribution maps will be available in spring 2005. Rearing MO-ARS: 4 colonies of CRW w/ different exposure to MON 863 whorl stage plants in a greenhouse (exposure for entire life, exposure as a neonate, exposure only to 2nd/3rd instars, not exposed). Second generation is coming off. Colonies will be a resource to understand survival on MON 863  colonies area already being used for a variety of personal research. Extended Diapause: Recall notes from OH and MO on potential extended diapause fields in these states. Host interactions MO-ARS: Alternate host work in Bruce Hibbards lab. Bruce examined potential original hosts for corn rootworms (such as wheat grass). Wheat grass turns out to be a very good host. Bruce also examined grassy weeds that could be in corn fields, and act as a bridge for larvae to move to transgenic corn. Manuscript shows you get more beetles from weedy transgenic corn than corn alone or weeds alone. Behavior & Ecology IN: Set up three 50 acre fields at three locations, one with adjacent refuge (20%), one with alternating strips (still 20%), and one entirely transgenic block. The goal was to get information on beetle movement in these systems. One objective was to observe how beetles colonized the transgenic blocks. 8,000 sticky traps used with 1 trap per acre and more around the field. By the third week, the fields loaded up, saturated with beetles. Larry Bledsoe assumes these beetles were coming from Illinois. Refuge seemed to be irrelevant in this situation. KS (Gerry Wilde): Has a few traps in a lot of fields (19 in 04). Gerry is trying to understand what goes on in a Bt corn field. Found a range of patterns in 2003 and 2004. Sometimes corn rootworms are higher in the refuge, sometimes lower, sometimes equal, sometimes the pattern changes over time. Diabrotica genetics (Tom Sappington): Tom noted that there are currently 36 promising genetic markers for western corn rootworms based on a survey of loci in corn rootworms from 9 states, Texas to NY. Allelic diversity and heterozygosity were essentially similar across the range  lots of genetic diversity across the range. All populations were genetically similar, except for a population from Lubbock TX, which was collected from within a hybrid zone of western and Mexican corn rootworms. Bottom line, no evidence of a recent genetic bottleneck in the western corn rootworm populations sampled. Host plant resistance Jon Tollefson is doing some work in Eastern Europe, and Bruce Hibbard is continuing work with native resistance. Transgenics The group discussed the reasons for delayed corn rootworm emergence on transgenic hybrids. The primary focus was whether emergence was actually delayed, or whether it was due to the early part of the population being truncated due to differential mortality on males and females? The group noted root damage of Mon 863 under heavy corn rootworm pressure in 2004. The damage occurred in IL, MI, and PA. Ken Ostlie noted that grass removal at different times (e.g. foxtail) appears to be a bridge for larvae to move onto transgenic corn and complete development. CRW emergence is higher in plots where grass is removed later. Regional Poncho Study (Billy Fuller) Billy presented data from multiple locations in 2004 testing corn treated with low (250; 0.25 mg rate) and high (1250; 1.25 mg rate) rates of Poncho (Clothianidin) versus corn treated with Force (Tefluthrin), corn treated with Force and Poncho, YieldGard Rootworm corn (MON 863), and untreated corn. Billy showed that the results varied across the region  yield gain with Poncho is inconsistent. Billy suggested the group conduct another year of research. Paul Mitchell presented an update of Robert Metcalfs 1986 loss estimate of 1 billion dollars per year due to corn rootworms. Paul presented data by corn growing regions. Bottom line  his new estimate of CRW monetary cost due to corn rootworms is similar to Metcalfs estimate. Management Root-injury scales Ostlie: Effect of surviving root length on yield and lodging. Compared different lengths of pruning, 1, 2, and 3 inches (i.e. different lengths of root survival). Length picked to denote pruning makes a difference&3 inch criteria seemed to do a better job to predict yield, 1 inch criteria seemed to do a better job predicting lodging. Jon Tollefson presented information on the now published 1-3 Node-injury scale (uses 1.5 inch pruning). Jon also discussed data from Yong Lak Park examining node-injury scale and precision (i.e., number of roots that should be sampled to achieve a certain level of precision). Host plant resistance Jon Tollefson is doing some work in Eastern Europe Bruce Hibbard is continuing to work with native resistance to western corn rootworms. Transgenics Bruce Hibbard opened a discussion of delayed corn rootworm emergence on transgenic hybrids. The primary focus was whether emergence was actually delayed, or whether it was due to the early part of the population being truncated due to differential mortality on males and females? The group noted root damage of Mon 863 under heavy corn rootworm pressure in 2004. The damage occurred in IL, MI, and PA. Ken Ostlie noted that grass removal at different times (e.g. foxtail) appears to be a bridge for larvae to move onto transgenic corn and complete development. CRW emergence is higher in plots where grass is removed later. Industry Presentations Monsanto Ty Vaughn and Todd DeGoyer introduced John Goette as the new development person (replacing Jay Pershing) with the company. YieldGard Plus: CRW/ECB stack compared to YGCB with or without insecticide, seed treatment, or nothing. There is a small yield advantage over soil insecticide, a bit larger over seed treatment, over and the most advantage over nothing. 2-6 bushels yield gain with YGPL treated with Poncho 250 across many locations shown in Todds slide set. Tech fee estimate for YGRW ($50/ unit ~ $20/ac) versus YGPL ($68/unit ~ $26/ac). Ty: Discussion of research initiatives [a. adult and larval movement; b. is IRM for WCR appropriate for MCR; c. mechanism of resistance to YGRW; d. effect of WCR ovipositing in soy and NCR extended diapause; e. baseline susceptibility] Novel IRM Option, Refuge in a bag- asked for feedback from the group on pitfalls and research needs. The group discussed technical and production concerns. Also discussed damage on Mon 863 in the field  Ty indicates protein expression only occurs in actively dividing regions of the roots. Oct 2005, planning for an IRM workshop in St. Louis Syngenta Jeff Stein, John Steffens, Craig Nichols, Alan McCaffrey, Henry Steineiz, Rob Wilde, Jon Sagers Syngenta corn event, MIR604wr, is a Bt Cry3A protein (modified). The protein used in potato for CPB. The CPB has the enzyme to process the protein to the toxic form, while CRW lacks this enzyme. Therefore, Cathepsin G protease site was added to the Cry3A gene to create a cleavage site so the inactive protein is converted to an active protein. This modified protein is active against CPB, WCR, and NCR. It is not active with SCR. Safety profile is favorable. High LD50 with mice and birds - feeding studies had no negative impacts, no adverse effects on non-targets; half life is 7 days in soil. Section 3 submitted April 2004 (anticipates EPA approval Feb 2006). Efficacy and consistency: data presented to show MIR604 was similar to Force and Aztec. Marketing will come with 0.25 Cruiser for secondary pests. IRM presentation: 3 to 6 day delay in emergence in transgenic vs. non transgenic, but no difference in males vs female; no shift in sex ratio. Beetles from control plots were smaller compared to Force or MIR604, suggests density dependent effects. 1st instar highly sensitive, second and third instars less so. This event is classified as non-high dose. Lab observations: direct mortality of larvae which feed on roots plus a deterrence effect (antixenosis). Proposed IRM: 20% refuge; adjacent or near - similar to current CRW-IRM plans. Says there is uniform expression of the toxin throughout the root mass and throughout the season. EPA Presentation (Sharlene Matten, Alan Reynolds, Tessa Milofski) Pending Plant Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) products: Lepidoptera: modified Cry1F (Dow/Pioneer); Cry 2ab2 (Monsanto) Coleoptera: Cry 3Bb1 new construct (Monsanto); Cry3A (Syngenta); Cry 34/35 (Dow Pioneer) Stacks: Cry 3Bb1 new + Cry1Ab (Monsanto); Cry 1F + Cry 34/35 (Dow/Pioneer) EPAs Questions for NCR46 a. Dose: measurement and interpretation, role of density-dependent mortality? b. Larval movement and width of in-field strips? Dow Agrosciences, IRM for Heculex (Nick Storer, Tim Nowatzki, Elizabeth Olsen) Q: Dose. The key is mortality of susceptible and heterozygotes. Used screen cages with known infestation level to separate out reduction in adult production based on density-dependent mortality, and to estimate dose. Based on the estimated dose for WCR and NCR, uses Dave Onstads model to estimate that a 20% refuge is appropriate  considers most conservative dose estimate and lower efficacy on NCR. Q: Larval movement. Proposed Cry34/35 plan calls for minimum strip width of 2 rows for the refuge. Larval movement can occur between adjacent rows (rarely 2 rows), thus used model to examine effect of strip width (2 to 10 row strips) on IRM. Model says that more and narrower strips could increase differences between susceptible and heterozygote larvae, but could also promote random mating of adults. Source sink effect does not apply well to CRW  planting a larger refuge does not build up a larger CRW population within a given year (CRW only has one generation). This could only be accomplished by putting the refuge in the same location year after year - impractical. Density dependent mortality (Bruce Hibbard) Sources of density independent mortality: tillage, overwintering, soil conditions, host establishment (estimated at only 5%). In greenhouse studies with 100-3,200 eggs per plant, you recover approximately the same level of larvae in these treatments. Natural egg infestation: difficult to know egg density unless it is artificially infested. Larvae move around a plant, down the row, and across a row if food is depleted. Bruce presented data on cage studies with known egg density. No apparent density dependent mortality. Mortality in Cry34/35 was over 98%.

None reported