Naslov
Changes in corn rootworm wing morphology are related to resistance development

Autori
Mikac, Katarina M. ; Lemić, Darija ; Benitez, Hugo A. ; Bažok, Renata

Izvornik
Journal of pest science (1612-4758) 92 (2019), 2; 443-451

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
geometric morphometrics ; Bt-maize ; monitoring ; resistance ; hind wings

Sažetak
The Western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, is the most serious pest of maize across the US Corn Belt and now Europe. The beetle has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to pest management strategies including evolution of resistance to conventional insecticides and the cultural practice of crop rotation and now to the Bacillus thiringiensis (Bt) toxin which is produced by genetically modified maize. In this study, the wing morphology of 358 western corn rootworm adults from Iowa, Indiana and Illinois, USA, were investigated using geometric morphometric procedures. The populations investigated comprised resistant (i.e. soybean rotation and Bt-maize variants) and non-resistant beetle populations. Data analysis was divided into two groups: 1) resistant versus non-resistant populations ; and 2) rotation resistant versus Bt resistant. Results shown that morphological difference exist in the hind-wing shape of both rotation and Bt resistant versus non-resistant populations and rotation resistant versus Bt-maize resistant strains of western corn rootworm from the USA. Across all three types of rootworm variants investigated, the movement of landmarks 8, 9 and 14 drove the wing shape differences found. These landmarks relate to basal radiation vein and are a key anatomical character used to distinguish different morphotypes in rootworm. The study demonstrates the utility of hind wing morphology as an inexpensive and accessible population biomarker for corn rootworm. With simple equipment (camera mounted microscopes or flatbed scanners) and readily available free-software to capture and analyse land mark (shape and size) data, it is possible to effectively monitor pest resistance development and associated field based population level differences found. The biological implications of the differences in wing shape found and how this related to rootworm flight and invasion capabilities are also explored.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Poljoprivreda (agronomija)

POVEZANOST RADA