Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NC246 : Ecology and Management of Arthropods in Corn

Brief summary of minutes of annual meeting:

Monday, January 22 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): Below-ground corn insects emphasis

8:00           Welcome and introductions: Joe Spencer and Brad Coates.

                  Local Arrangements Update by Sarah Zukoff.     

Time & place committee: Sarah Zukof, Chuck Mason, and Pat Porter     

Nominations committee. Bruce Hibbard, Christian Krupke, and Lance Meinke

                    -2018: Andy Michel (Chair), Brad Coates (Vise-Chair), Julie Peterson (Secretary).

                    -2019: Brad Coates (Chair), Julie Peterson (Vise-Chair), TBD in 2018 (Secretary)

1. William Ravlin, Michigan State University, new committee advisor

                  Impact statements: add to state report.

8:45           Begin State Reports:

      DE & GA presented: IL: burlese funnel collection efficiency increase with no bulb, soybean spraying for rotation-resistant WCR control.  Female WCR dispersal data.

9:30           Break

9:45           New York native entomopathogenic nematodes & CRW control – Elson Shields

                  Control of WCR by nematodes equivalent to Bt

10:00         State reports for IN: high beetle numbers compared to 2015; IA: non-target RNAi study.  Virus identified from CRW.  Genome and transcriptome progress reports; KS low WCR populations; KY: none; MN possible Cry34/35 field failures.

12:00         Lunch

1:30           State reports for MO: WCR on 1^st year corn.  Resistance to Bt toxin on diet and plant bioassays.  Microbiome & diet formulation projects.  NE: WCR population high & RNAi no effect on honeybee & conservation plantings in pivot ends.  Cry3Bb1 resistance reported.  Cadherin gene not involved in Cry 34/35 binding. NY: draught in 2016 & low WCR. SD: high NCR numbers.

3:00           Break

3:20           State reports for OH: Invasive Asiatic garden beetle impacting early planted corn, causing poor emergence and stunting. WI: WCR high in North & more NCR compared to WCR.

5:00           Adjourn

Tuesday, January 24 (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon): Below-ground corn insects emphasis

8:00           Nominations committee report:  Lance Meinke nominated Julie Peterson as acting secretary, Tom Hunt seconded, and the motion passed.

                  Time and Place Committee report.  Chuck Mason nominated Williamsburg, VA, Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel and Suites; nearest airports Newport News.   Dominic Reisig local arrangements. Billy Fuller moves for vote.  Vote passed

                  Registration Fee set at $150

 Discussed modification of meeting time. Chuck Mason motioned to merge above and below ground focus & change start time to Tuesday mornings.  Pat Porter 2^nd, and motion passed.

8:25           Administrator’s report.  Dr. Bill Ravlin.  Michigan State University.

                  Budget Hatch Act, group looking into impacts.  National Inventory of Infrastructure.

8:40           A brief non-technical update from Elson Shields.  Chris Difonzo and Pat Porter NC246 2017 Golden Wildebeest award recipients. 

8:30           Carlos Blanco: Insect import-export permits. 

                  Interprets regulations but need feedback from researchers what is needed.  Steps involved in permitting process.  Can add related papers to indicate that WCR are already resistant in a state when transporting to another state.  WCR to work in lab will be granted.  WCR resistant research will need risk assessment of facilities.  WCR variant cannot be moved to an area where it does not exist. APHIS can overrule state officials, conditions are drafted based on state recommendations.  Discussions on conditions can be had to request modifications.  Inspections will be needed if containment is in conditions.  Can add insects to existing permits.

                  He requires documentation to support removal of variant from regulations. 

                  WCR resistant. Cannot have any field release nor share with colleagues. 

                  Distinction between non-diapause WCR and wildtype.   

8:55           Bill Fuller: $950 reserve funds for Sioux Falls meeting. No mechanism for saving reserve funds.  Transfer to Texas A&M to add with reserve funds from San Antonio. 

                  Chemical selector, diagnostic guides.  Data maps from contributed sampling data.  Challenges passing the use of this through Administration; response to grower needs.    

9:15           myFields.info project – Bryan McCornack

                  Pest, weed and disease information.  Field management guides are now archived and searchable.  Registered users get customized content based on geographic region.

9:30           Break

9:45           Discussion: Finding common ground in pest management messaging – Christian Krupke proposed discussion.

                  Possible mechanisms:  Separate committee to decide on objectives: Impacts not outcomes.

                  Committee to work with Industry to resolve resistance response/triggers. Working groups with cross-industry partners to provide consistent message to producers.  WBC could have been proactive.  Experiment station support of special issues.

                  Resources for how to diagnose resistance.  Distinguishing pest issues and associated traits.  Interpretation of field extension observations, and how to communicate the issues to growers. 

                  Potential for educational topics regarding RNAi, resistance, etc.

                  EPA involvement in defining product inquiries/confirm resistance.

                  National Corn Growers Association involvement.

                  NC246 response to WBC outbreak needed prior to 2017 growing season.

                  WBC and RNAi committees formed.  Christian keeper of the yellow sheet 

Tangential discussion from NE: Web-based dissemination of information to growers.  Webinar presentations >13K views.  Plan to approach Plant Management Network for funding; need ~$1,000 per 30 min talk.  Need for a talk regarding basics of RNAi.  Public sector to help convey the technology to the general public, but need to remain independent of industry or use industry funding without recognition. 

10:30         ABSTC Presentation (OP EN Session) – Matthew Carroll, Miles, et al.

                  In scenarios of resistance grower plant 20% refuge along with pyramid trait; first option is rotation.  Drive to declared resistance and mitigation.  Phase out single trait products.  Result of discussions on remedial action

                  Proactive at UXD stage to enact remedial action – do not wait unit resistance confirmed.  Mitigation action area (MAA); ½ mile around the field.

                  After “successful mitigation” rotation to non-corn in the subsequent year, then grower allowed to return to use of the Bt traits.

                  IRM in the South with structured refuges.  On farm compliance assurance program (CAP):  Grower surveys and on farm assessments by 3^rd parties; bring growers into compliance.  Looking for incentives; rebates or farm insurance programs. 

                  RIB trials 2017 of 20, 30 and 40%.  Impact after cross pollination and sub-lethal exposures.  Need to make comparisons with block refuges. 

11:15         Monsanto Presentation (CLOSED session) – Matthew Carroll et al.

12:00         Lunch

Tuesday, January 24 (1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.): Above-ground corn insects emphasis

1:30           Welcome: Joe Spencer and Andy Michel

                  Local Arrangements Announcements: Sarah Zukoff

                  Circulated thumb drive to collect/share State Reports.

1:55           Update on NC327 publication on European corn borer ecology and management – Chuck Mason: Release via Iowa State Publishing by 2017 growing season.

2:00           Dupont Pioneer Presentation (CLOSED Session) – Clint Pilcher et al.

2:30           Break

2:45           Dow AgroSciences and Dupont Pioneer Presentation (CLOSED Session) – Clint Pilcher et al. 

3:15           Dow AgroSciences Presentation (CLOSED Session) – Bradley Hopkins et al.

3:45           EPA Perspectives and Q&A (CLOSED Session) – Jeannette Martinez

                  NC246 letter to EPA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) in June 2017, and coordination delegated to NC246 Officers. Keep Vip3A corn out of the Southern US due to migration issues; CEW and FAW.  Leverage expertise from yearly meetings to have communications with growers.  Registration doc dictates mitigation of resistance to CEW even if it is not a relevant pest that have economic impact in corn, but resistance development from selection of corn will impact cotton production where it has a major impact.  Petition to move WBC to primary pest status.

4:45           State Reports Continue.

      DE: FAW corn strain higher Cry1F tolerance.

GA: FAW pyrethroid resistance issues; David Kerns: field FAW on Vip3A

                  IN: major WBC damage around Great Lakes, and mycotoxin increases.

Ontario reported Cry1F no longer promoted for WBC control or insecticide sprays used in addition to Bt.   No major yield effects by molds are of concern.

5:00           Adjourn

Wednesday, January 25 (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): Above-ground corn insects emphasis

8:00           Welcome: Joe Spencer and Andy Michel

8:15           How should we respond to the rising tide of resistance? Pat Porter & Dave Buntin

                  Involvement of NC256 prior to resistance becoming widespread problem?  Bt traits bundles with best genetics lowers grower options for conventional corn.  Cry1Ab no benefit for controlling CEW but threatens cotton production in South.  CEW also pyrethroid resistant.  Migration of resistant CEW & FAW to cornbelt is a threat.  Analogous scenario of WBC resistant to Cry1F and pyrethroids in NE and Ontario.  If technologies fail, IPM will be needed but modern data to support tactics is lacking.   Raise NC246 profile on pertinent issues facing growers

9:15           State reports: IA and IL no WBC outbreaks.

9:30           Break

9:45           State reports: LA: Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab2 resistance in CEW.  Brazil Cenral regions have Helicoverpa armigera reported in corn. Hybridization with H. zea.

12:00         Lunch

1:30           State reports: MN reported ECB on conventional corn. Neonic initiative by Governor will limit use.  State pollinator health committee to monito honeybee exposure.  CEW feeding on Cry1Ab and pyrethroid resistance reported.  MD reported movement of ECB off of refuge impacts refuge survivorship. Cross pollination in RIBs and issue for CEW.  Cry1A toxin failures for CEW control in sweetcorn.

3:00           Break

3:15           State reports: MI has new Bt trait table with column for “regional effectiveness” based on known resistance issues.  NE has pockets of WBC in the West and reports of Cry1F and bifenthrin resistance.  Extended WBC moth flight times and predation studies.  Larger ECB flights observed.

4:30           Final business items.

Established topics for further discussion/subcommittees to educate growers:  Goal to complete one module per group prior to 2017 field season.  Would need to make all presentations open access ($1000 per 30 minutes); increase impact.

• RNAi explaining topics to the public. Modules to explain; (Ana, Nick, Andy, Pat, Art)

1. Basic underpinnings of the central dogma: DNA to RNA to protein
2. Application of transgenic technologies to control pest insects
3. Environmental stewardship/low impact compared to broad-spectrum insecticides.

• Adult corn rootworm control (Lance Meinke, Aaron Gassmann, Sarah Zukoff, and Justin McMehan)

1. Defining rootworm species, variants, and spatial distribution. Include areas with different control challenges; Bt, variant and NCR extended diapause. How Bt resistance is defined (Tabashnik et al. 2014; Andow et al., 2016)

(Joe, Christian, Bruce)

1. Contemporary and historical definition. Change over time?
2. Regional or spatial applicability of the practice
3. Role in mitigating the onset of resistance via IPM. Defining economic thresholds. Products/treatment options, efficacy and recommendations.
4. Applicability to conventional corn

• Distinction of IRM for Bt and RNAi? Challenges of IRM in light of possible RIB mediated selection for resistance in the South
• Overlap of toxins used in transgenic corn, soybean and cotton. Impact on the acceleration of selection and potential loss of the technologies for future control.
• Economic considerations and regional impacts on profitability.

Twitter handles disseminated among those working in extension:

Julie Peterson: @PetersonInsect

Joe Spencer: @talkingrootworm

Bob Wright @ BobWrightUNL

Elson Shields: @cornell_bugman

Justin McMechan: justinmcmechan

Jocelyn Smith: @jocelynlsmith

Tracey Baute: @TracyBaute

Canadian corn pest coalition: @Cornpest

Nick Miller: @MillerNickJ

Brian McCornack: @bmccornack

5:00           Adjourn/Meeting NC246 officers and Above-ground Subcommittee officers. Review duties for coming year and strategize as needed.

Participants presented research and extension data at over 150 meetings [these are conservative estimates based on state reports and averages for extension faculty

Dr. Chris DiFonzo published the 2017 update to the Handy Bt-Trait Table (http://www.msuent.com/). This is a tool that many NC246 participants use for extension training and is an important general reference for industry, scientists and growers. After the major issues with western bean cutworm in the Great Lakes region in 2016, and increasing problems with lepidopteran pests in the southern United States, a major change was made to the 2017 Handy Bt Trait table.  It now includes a new column ('May Be Ineffective On') to highlight insect x Bt combinations with documented field-failures, confirmed resistance, or cross-resistance. Ineffective ratings are based on published lab assays &/or field research. This column is intended to alert growers and consultants to potential management problems, influence seed selection, and encourage field scouting.

Participants developed various extension videos for corn insect scouting including a popular USDA-NIFA Outreach Webcast hosted by the Plant Management Network by Dr. Julie Petersen: Western Bean Cutworm: Pest Status & IPM Options.

A group of 13 NC246 participants submitted a four-page letter supportive of new modes of action for Bt-based corn rootworm management and adoption of an IPM-based approach to their use.  Letter submitted to U.S. E.P.A. Scientific Advisory Panel [(FIFRA SAP) regarding the human health and ecological risk assessments for SmartStax PRO (MON 89034 x TC1507 x MON 87411 x DAS-59122-7), a plant-incorporated protectant intended to control corn rootworm through ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference. Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0349]

The European corn borer is major pest of corn in the United States is the European corn borer.  For the past two decades, this pest has been managed successfully with transgenic corn that produces insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), with no documented cases of field-evolved resistance to Bt corn by European corn borer.  One reason for this success may be the presence of fitness costs affecting resistance.  Iowa State University Entomologists and NC246 members used ecological realistic conditions to more accurately quantify the potential fitness costs of Bt resistance in European corn borer.  Data from this study can be used by regulators and industry as they develop risk assessments and resistance management plans for Bt corn targeting European corn borer, and for other pests managed with transgenic Bt crops.

Albright V.C., Hellmich R.L., Coats J.R. 2016. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection and bioactivity of Cry1Ab protein fragments. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 35(12):3101-3112.

Albright V.C., Hellmich R.L., Coats, J.R. 2016. A review of Cry protein detection with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 64: 2175–2189.

Albright V.C., Wong C.R., Hellmich R.L., Coats J.R. 2016. Dissipation of double‐stranded RNA in aquatic microcosms. Environ. Toxicol Chem. 36(5):1249-1253.

Alouw J.C., N.J. Miller.  2015. Effects of benzoxazinoids on specialist and generalist Diabrotica species. Journal of Applied Entomology 139: 424-431.

Andow, D. A., Pueppke, S. G., Schaafsma, A. W., Gassmann, A. J., Sappington, T. W., Meinke, L. J., Mitchell, P. D., Hurley, T. M., Hellmich, R. L. and Porter, R. P.  2016. Early detection and mitigation of resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).   Journal of Economic Entomology 109: 1-12

Andow, D.A., S.G. Pueppke, A.W. Schaafsma, A.J. Gassmann, T.W. Sappington, L.J. Meinke, P.D. Mitchell, T.M. Hurley, R.L. Hellmich, R.P. Porter.  2015.  Early detection and mitigation of resistance to Bt maize by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Journal of Economic Entomology (forum) Advance access published 24 Sept 2015: DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov238

Bentivenha, J.P.F., E. L. L. Baldin, T. E. Hunt, S. V. Paula-Moraes, E. E. Blankenship. 2016. Intraguild Competition of Three Noctuid Maize Pests. Environmental Entomology 45(4): 999–1008, doi: 10.1093/ee/nvw068.

Bentivenha, J.P.F., E.L. L. Baldin, D.G. Montezano, T.E. Hunt, S.V. Paula-Moraes. 2016. Attack and defense movements involved in the interaction of Spodoptera frugiperda and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Pesticide Science DOI 10.1007/s10340-016-0802-3.

Bentivenha, J.P.F., S.V. Paula-Moraes, E.L.L. Baldin, A. Specht, I.F. Silva, T.E. Hunt. 2016. Battle in the New World: Helicoverpa armigera versus Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). PLoS ONE (11(12): e0167182).

Beuzelin. J., F. Huang, J.A. David, S. Brown, C. Hollier, T. Price, B.R. Leonard, and D. Fromme. 2016. Feed Grains: Corn and Sorghum Weed, Insect, and Disease Field Guide. LSU AgCenter. Pub. 3540 (1335). pp 90.

Beuzelin. J., S. Brown, J.A. David, L. Foil, K. Healy, F. Huang, D. Kerns, A.L. Morgan, D. Pollet,  G. Reagan, M.J. Hall, D.P. Reed, D.R. Ring, T. Schowalter, M. Stout, T. Smith. 2016. Louisiana Insect Pest Management Guide. LSU AgCenter. Pub. 1838. pp 229.

Chen, F., Coates, B.S., He, K.L., Bai, S.X., Zhang, T.T., Wang, Z.Y.  2016. Effects of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA variation in populations of Athetis lepigone (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China. Mitochondrial DNA Part A DOI: 10.1080/24701394.2016.1197216

Cheng Y., L. Luo, T.W. Sappington, X. Jiang, L. Zhang, A.N. Frolov. 2016. Onset of oviposition triggers abrupt reduction in migratory flight behavior and flight muscle in the female beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis. PLoS ONE 11(11): e0166859.

Chu, C.C., J.A. Zavala, J.L. Spencer, M.J. Curzi, C.J. Fields, J. Drnevich, B.D. Siegfried,M.J. Seufferheld. 2015. Patterns of differential gene expression in adult rotation resistant and wild-type western corn rootworm digestive tracts. Evolutionary Applications. 8(7): 692-704.

Coates, B.S. Bacillus thuringiensis toxin resistance mechanisms among Lepidoptera: progress on genomic approaches to uncover causal mutations in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis. 2016. Current Opinions in Insect Science 15: 70–77.

Coates, B.S., A. Alves, H. Wang, X. Zhou, T. Nowatzki, H. Chen, M. Rangasamy, H. Robertson, C. Whitfield, K. Walden, S. Kachman, B. French, L. Meinke, D. Hawthorne, C. Abel, T. Sappington, B. Siegfried, and N. Miller.  2016.  Quantitative trait locus mapping and functional genomics of an organophosphate resistance trait in the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera.  Insect Molecular Biology 25: 1-15.  DOI: 10.1111/imb.12194

Coates, B.S., Abel, C.A. 2016. The mitochondrial genome of the western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).  Mitochondrial DNA Part B 1(1):487-488.

de Macedo J.V., K.A. Mollet. J.A. Peterson. 2015. Performance of seed treatments and in-furrow at-plant insecticides for protection against Cry3Bb1-resistant western corn rootworm. Arthropod Management Tests “In press”

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016.  Evaluation of Corn Rootworm Traited and Refuge Hybrids in Combination With Aztec 4.67G Insecticide at Planting for Control of Larval Corn Rootworm, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests 41(1): tsw082. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw082

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016.  Evaluation of Foliar Applied Pyrethroid Insecticides for Control of Adult Corn Rootworm in Corn, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests 41(1): tsw095. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw095

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016.  Evaluation of Foliar-Applied Insecticides for Control of Adult Corn Rootworm in Corn, 2015C.  Arthropod Management Tests 41(1): tsw096. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw096

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016.  Evaluation of Near Isoline Corn Rootworm Traited and Refuge Corn Hybrids in Combination With Soil Insecticides at Planting for Larval Corn Rootworm Control, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests 41(1): tsw081. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw081

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016. Evaluation of Foliar Applied Insecticides for Control of Adult Corn Rootworm in Corn, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests 41(1): tsw080. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw080

DeVries, T.A., R.J. Wright. 2016. Evaluation of Smartstax Traited and Refuge Corn Hybrids in Combination With Soil Insecticides at Planting for Larval Corn Rootworm Control, 2015. Arthropod Management Tests 41 (1): tsw083. doi: 10.1093/amt/tsw083

DiFonzo C., Krupke C., Michel A., Shields E., Tillman K, Tooker J.. 2016. An open letter to the seed industry regarding the efficacy of Cry1F Bt against western bean cutworm. http:/www.ceragmc.org/files/cera/GmCropDatabase/docs/decdocs/brad 006481.pdf

Dively G.P. P.D. Venugopal, C. Finkenbinder.^. 2016. Field-Evolved Resistance in Corn Earworm to Cry Proteins Expressed by Transgenic Sweet Corn. PLoS ONE 11(12): e0169115. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone.0169115

Estes, R.E., N.A. Tinsley and M.E. Gray. 2016. Evaluation of soil-applied insecticides with Bt maize for managing corn rootworm larval injury. Journal of Applied Entomology.  140: 19-27. doi: 10.1111/jen.12233

Fishilevich E., Vélez A.M., Khajuria C., Frey M.L.F., Hamm R.L., Wang H., Schulenberg G.A., Narva K.E., and B.D. Siegfried. 2016. Use of chromatin remodeling vATPases as RNAi targets for multigenerational control of Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) and Neotropical stink bug. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 71: 58-71.

Fishilevich E., Vélez A.M., Storer N.P., Li H., Bowling A.J., Rangasamy M., Worden S., Narva K.E.,  B.S. Siegfried. 2016. RNAi as a pest management tool for the western corn rootworm. Pest Management Science 72(9): 1652–166.

Frank, D., R. Kurtz, N. Tinsley, A.J. Gassmann, L.J. Meinke, D. Moellenbeck, M. Gray, L. Bledsoe, C. Krupke, R. Estes, P. Weber, and B. Hibbard. 2015. Effect of seed blends and soil-insecticide on western and northern corn rootworm emergence from mCry3A + eCry3.1Ab Bt maize.  Journal of Economic Entomology 108: 1260-1270.  DOI: 10.1093/jee/tov081.

Gassmann, A. J., Shrestha, R.B., Jakka, S.R.K., Dunbar M.W., Clifton E.H., Paolino A.R., Ingber D.A., French B.W., Masloski K.E., Doudna J.W., St. Clair C.R.  2016. Evidence of resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 corn by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): root injury in the field and larval survival in plant-based bioassays.  Journal of Economic Entomology 109: 1872-1880.

Gray M.E., J.L. Spencer. 2015. Western corn rootworm: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) resistance to Bt maize and crop rotation: management challenges and opportunities. Bulletin of the Royal Entomological Society; Antenna: ECE Special Edition. 39: 100-101.

Guo J., He K., Hellmich R.L., Bai S., Zhang T., Liu Y., Ahmed T., Wang Z. 2016. Field trials to evaluate the effects of transgenic Cry1Ie maize on the community characteristics of arthropod natural enemies. Scientific Reports 6: 22102.

Guo Y.Y., Tian J.C., Shi W.P., Dong X.H., Romeis J., Naranjo S.E., Hellmich R.L., Shelton A.M. 2016. The interaction of two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, with Cry protein production and predation by Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) in Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab cotton and Cry1F maize. Transgenic Research 25: 33–44.

Haridas, C.V., L. J. Meinke, B. E. Hibbard, B.D. Siegfried, and B. Tenhumberg.  2016.  Effects of temporal variation in temperature and density-dependence on insect population dynamics.  Ecosphere 7(5): e01287 10.1002/ecs2.1287

Huang, F., J.A. Qureshi, G.P. Head, P.A. Price, R. Levy, F. Yang, and Y. Niu. 2016. Frequency of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A.105 resistance alleles in field populations of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in Louisiana and Florida. Crop Protection 83: 83-89.

Jakka, S. R. K., Shrestha, R. B., Gassmann, A. J. 2016. Broad-spectrum resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins by western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera).  Scientific Reports 6: 27860; doi: 10.1038/srep27860.

Jiang X., Zhang L., Yang H., Sappington T.W., Cheng Y., Luo L. 2016. Biocontrol of the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata by the tachinid fly, Exorista civilis, is synergized by Cry1Ab protoxin. Scientific Reports 6: 26873. DOI: 10.1038/srep26873.

Khajuria C., Vélez A.M., Rangasamy M., Wang H., Fishilevich E., Frey M.L.F., Portilho Carneiro N., Gandra P., Narva K.E. and B.D. Siegfried.  2015. Parental RNA interference of genes involved in embryonic development of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 63: 54-62.

Li H., Khajuria C., Rangasamy M., Gandra P., Fitter M., Geng C., Woosely A., Hasler J., Schulenberg G., Worden S., McEwan R., Evans C., Siegfried B. and K.E. Narva. 2015.  Long dsRNA but not siRNA initiates RNAi in western corn rootworm larva and adults. Journal of Applied Entomology 139: 432-445.

Li, G., D. Reisig, H. Feng, F. Gould, F. Huang, and J. Miao. 2016. Frequency of Cry1F non-recessive resistance alleles in North Carolina field populations of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). PLoS ONE  http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0154492.

Li, G., D. Reisig, J. Miao, F. Gould, F. Huang, H. Feng. 2016. Frequency of Cry1F non-recessive resistance alleles in North Carolina field populations of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). PLoS ONE doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154492

Niu, Y., G.P. Head, P.A. Price, and F. Huang. 2016. Performance of Cry1A.105-selected fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on transgenic maize plants containing single or pyramided Bt genes. Crop Protection. 88:79-87.

Niu, Y., J.A. Qureshi, X. Ni, G.P. Head, P.A. Price, R.L. Meagher Jr, D. Kerns, R. Levy, F. Yang, and F. Huang. 2016. Estimation of resistance allele frequency to maize incorporated Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2Ab2 protein in field populations of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from the southern United States. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 138: 66-72.

Ojo, J.A., Valero, M.C., Sun, W., Coates, B.S., Omoloye, A.A., Pittendrigh, B.R. 2016. Comparison of full mitochondrial genomes for the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae and the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).  Agri-Gene 2: 29-37.

Oyediran, I., G. Dively, F. Huang, and T. Burd. 2016. Evaluation of European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) larval movement and survival in structured and seed blend refuge plantings. Crop Protetion 81: 145-153.

Pannuti, L.E.R., S.V. Paula-Moraes, T.E. Hunt, E.L.L. Baldin, L. Dana, J.V. Malaquias. 2016. Plant-to-plant movement of Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Maize. Journal of Economic Entomology 1-7; doi: 10.1093/jee/tow042.

Pereira, A.E., H. Wang, S.N. Zukoff, L.J. Meinke, B. W. French, B. D. Siegfried.  2015.  Evidence of field-evolved resistance to bifenthrin in western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) populations in western Nebraska and Kansas.  PLoS ONE 10(11): e0142299. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0142299  published 13 Nov 2015.

Petzold-Maxwell, J.L., Siegfried, B.D., Hellmich, R.L., Abel, C.A., Coates, B.S., Spencer, T.A., Horikoshi, R.J., Gassmann, A.J. Fitness costs associated with Cry1F resistance in the European corn borer.  Journal of Applied Entomology DOI: 10.1111/jen.12356.

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