Integrating resistance management and biological control: parasitism and behavior of Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistant to Vip3Aa20

• Grant number: 23/01240-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2023 - June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Convênio/Acordo: CNPq
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Grantee: José Roberto Postali Parra
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/02317-5 - Center for Excellence in Biological Control, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The use of transgenic plants expressing insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins andbiological control are two compatible tools for integrated pest management, which reduce the use ofinsecticides. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae),is important due to its wide distribution and polyphagy. This insect pest has been difficult to controlbecause of the resistance to insecticides from different chemical groups and Bt plants. Currently, oneof the few proteins that control S. frugiperda is Vip3Aa, expressed in both maize and cotton Bt. Theresistance of S. frugiperda to Vip3Aa20 in maize was characterized as autosomal and recessive, andthe frequency of alleles that confer resistance to this protein is still low in Brazil. However, with theincreasing use of Bt technologies expressing this protein, resistance management strategies must beimplemented. The use of natural enemies has the potential for the management of S. frugiperda,particularly with the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937 (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae).However, there is a lack of studies on the interaction of the egg parasitoid and resistant hosts. Thegoal of this research is to evaluate the parasitism and the behavior of T. remus in resistant, susceptible,and heterozygous strains of S. frugiperda resistant to Vip3Aa20, as there is a gap in knowledge inboth using egg parasitoids, and Vip3Aa. T. remus is expected to alter the population density of onespecific genotype of S. frugiperda, which impacts the frequencies of resistance alleles. This researchwill advance the integration of biological control and resistance management. (AU)