Growers can slow down the development of insect resistance to Bt crops by practicing Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This approach uses multiple tools, such as cultural, biological and mechanical controls, to manage key pests within a long-term strategy. Start today and take it one field at a time.
SCOUT FOR PESTS AND INSECT DAMAGE
Test your knowledge
- Scout your fields to know what pests are present and how much damage they have caused.
- Correct identification and monitoring of corn pests are critical to making effective pest management decisions.
- Know what pests should be controlled by the Bt corn being grown – not all corn pests are controlled by Bt traits.
Test Your Knowledge
Scouting fields for insect damage is unnecessary as long as all other Integrated Pest Management practices are followed:
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ROTATE CROPS AND TRAITS
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Test your knowledge
Rotate crops
- Best option: do not plant corn in the same field in consecutive years, grow a different crop entirely in alternating years.
- Alternative option: if planting corn consecutively, avoid planting Bt crops in the same field two years in a row. Use non-Bt varieties. This gives insects less exposure to Bt proteins, thereby slowing resistance developing.
Rotate traits for the target pest
- Best option: plant Bt hybrids with multiple modes of action (MOAs) for the target pest whenever possible.
- Alternative option: if a multiple-MOA product is not an option, rotate to a different Bt trait hybrid or use a non-Bt hybrid with insecticide.
- Consult this Bt traits table for a complete list of traits available in Canada.
Test Your Knowledge
1. Insect seed trait resistance best practices include: (select all that apply)
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2. It is good practice to avoid planting Bt crops in the same field two years in a row.
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PLANT A REFUGE
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- Refuge planting is mandatory and involves planting part of each field (or adjacent field) with a non-Bt hybrid of the same crop. This allows some non-resistant insects to survive and mate with resistant insects, producing non-resistant offspring.
There are two types of refuge:
- Integrated refuge: bag containing Bt seed mixed with non-Bt seed
- Structured refuge: a specific area that you plant with a refuge hybrid alongside your Bt hybrid
Click here for more about Refuge Planting.
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A structured refuge is a specific area in a field planted with a refuge hybrid alongside a Bt hybrid.
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MANAGE WITH INSECTICIDES
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- Insecticides can be used in place of Bt crops to manage many pests. Before considering this, refer to Evaluating the Need for Insecticide Application.
- Insects can also develop resistance to insecticides. For this reason, rotation of insecticide groups/MOAs is also critical. Refer to Insecticide Best Practices for more information about MOAs and application BMPs. Consider rotation of traited corn and conventional corn with use of insecticides.
Test Your Knowledge
When insecticides are used in place of Bt crops to manage pests, there is less concern about resistance.
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KEEP ACCURATE RECORDS
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Test your knowledge
- Keep accurate records of where traited and conventional corn has been planted and which hybrids were planted. This helps both you and your crop advisors compare the performance of your transgenic and refuge hybrids. It also helps to recognize a problem of suspicious feeding activity in the transgenic corn.
Test Your Knowledge
It’s important to keep accurate records of where Bt hybrids are planted because… (Select all that apply)
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You can do these steps with the help of your seed company representative, provincial extension specialist, crop advisor, and/or agronomist.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS FOR INVESTIGATING INSECT DAMAGE IN YOUR BT CORN
- SCOUT – Scout both Bt and non-Bt corn for insect damage to crop.
- FIELD INVESTIGATION – Rule out other causes for damage, evaluate pest presence/pressure, verify correct planting and confirm trait presence.
- CONTACT SEED COMPANY – If damage exceeds expected thresholds (“unexpected damage”) and other causes are ruled out, your seed company representative must be among the people informed.
- BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES – Based on the outcome of the evaluation, your seed company will advise on IPM practices to mitigate or reduce pest pressure.
- COLLECT INSECTS – Based on the outcome of the evaluation, the seed company may arrange for samples of the insects in the impacted field to be collected for further lab evaluation. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will also be notified at this time by the original trait developer.
- RESISTANCE MITIGATION – If resistance is confirmed, you will be informed of any further mitigation actions that may be needed (see below).
MITIGATION ACTIONS
The mitigation strategy is developed by a team of experts and will not be one size-fits-all. Measures will be dependent on which hybrids are impacted, what tools are available to the grower, and the extent of the issue. The trait provider will communicate any needed mitigation measure with growers and all relevant stakeholders. Some common mitigation practices could include:
CORN ROOTWORM
- Rotate to a non-host crop.
- Scout your fields to know what is there.
- Use a pyramid MOA (i.e., multiple MOAs against the same pest). For more information please see the factsheet: Bt Corn 101
- If using a single MOA, be sure to plant the appropriate refuge area and rotate the Bt trait.
- Consider use of a foliar insecticide.
EUROPEAN CORN BORER
- Rotate crop or trait.
- Scout your fields to know what is there.
- Use a pyramid MOA.
- Consider an insecticide to reduce population density.
- Destroy corn stalks in the field at the end of the season.
CASE STUDIES
Local knowledge, monitoring and early control are keys to success for Nova Scotia grower.
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CASE STUDIES
Climate change and pest migration expected to increase insecticide resistance.
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CASE STUDIES
Multiple strategies key to successfully managing pests and insecticide resistance.
read moreWatch this video to learn more about managing insect resistance in Bt corn:
