Genetic hitchhiking and resistance evolution to transgenic Bt toxins
Insights from the African stalk borer Busseola fusca (Noctuidae)
Abstract
Development of field resistance of the African stalk borer, Busseola fusca, to transgenic Bt maize is one of the few cases in the world.
In South Africa, the stemborer moth Busseola fusca evolved resistance to the toxin expressed by transgenic maize within 8 years of the technology being released, leading to failure in control of pest populations. Since then, field resistance of this corn borer has been observed at several locations, raising questions about the nature, distribution and dynamics of the resistance trait.
The study suggests diverse resistance mutations, which would explain the widespread occurrence of resistant larvae in Bt fields across the main area of maize production in South Africa.
This work is an output of the ‘Noctuid Stem Borer Biodiversity’ project, It was partly funded by the UK Department for International Development, a core donor of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
Citation
Campagne P., Capdevielle-Dulac C., Pasquet R., Cornell S.J., Kruger M., Silvain J.-F., Le Ru B.P. and Van den Berg J. (2017) Genetic hitchhiking and resistance evolution to transgenic Bt toxins: Insights from the African stalk borer Busseola fusca (Noctuidae). Heredity 118, 330–339.