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Using Flight Mills to Measure Flight Propensity and Performance of Western Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (LeConte)
Published on: October 29, 2019
Belowground resistance to western corn rootworm in lepidopteran-resistant maize genotypes
Torrence A Gill1, German Sandoya, Paul Williams
1Department of Crop and Soil Science, 116 ASI Bldg., The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. tagill@purdue.edu
Journal of Economic Entomology
|March 17, 2011
Summary
Maize lines from Antigua show resistance to aboveground pests and reduce survival of rootworms. Intraplant communication may influence responses to multiple insect herbivores.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Entomology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines from Antiguan populations exhibit resistance to lepidopteran pests.
- Understanding plant defense mechanisms against various herbivores is crucial for crop protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the resistance of specific maize genotypes to root-feeding pests.
- To explore potential intraplant communication between aboveground and belowground herbivore infestations.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated maize inbred lines for resistance to western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) and southern corn rootworm (D. undecimpunctata howardi).
- Assessed the impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) feeding on rootworm survivorship and vice versa.
- Compared resistance levels in genetically resistant vs. susceptible maize genotypes after defense induction.
Main Results:
- Antiguan maize genotypes significantly reduced survival of both western and southern corn rootworms.
- Fall armyworm feeding prior to rootworm infestation altered rootworm survivorship in some genotypes.
- Rootworm presence in soil appeared to enhance fall armyworm resistance in maize whorls.
- Genetically resistant maize lines remained more resistant to all tested pests, even after induced defenses.
Conclusions:
- Maize genotypes derived from Antiguan germplasm possess inherent resistance to key lepidopteran and coleopteran pests.
- Evidence suggests intraplant signaling pathways mediate responses to concurrent aboveground and belowground herbivory.
- Genetic resistance plays a significant role, potentially overriding induced defenses in complex herbivore interactions.
