A METHOD TO SUPPRESS BT RESISTANCE IN THE CORN EARWORM

The primary goals of this project are to: 1) evaluate the effects of a strain of the Helicoverpa zea nudivirus on the incidence of Bt resistance on a mixed population of resistant and susceptible insects that are feeding on either diet that contains a Bt toxin or diet that lacks a toxin. This laboratory experiment is designed to mimic conditions in the field where Bt resistance is developing. 2) the second objective is to take the results of this laboratory experiment and integrate those results into a population model for resistance development. A preliminary version of this model has been developed and the data from the primary goal will be used to inform and develop this model. Taken together the results will test and demonstrate whether or not this hypervirulelent, sterilizing virus can be developed into a new tool and approach for managing Bt resistance in transgenic crops.