U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
2000
Citation
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 96: 281–287, 2000
Abstract
Genetic changes in insects that result in insecticide resistance can also affect their fitness. Here, we report measurements of development time and survival of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), to compare the relative fitness of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-susceptible and -resistant colonies. Measurements of larval development time and survival indicated that a fitness cost was associated with resistance to Bt in some Bt-resistant colonies but not others. Comparisons of geographically different populations revealed inherent differences in development time and survival. In most cases, Bt-resistant moths suffered no disadvantage when feeding on a Bt-treated diet. In many cases, the development of Bt-resistant moths on Bt-treated diet was slower than the unselected moths on untreated diet, but it is unclear whether these differences would affect the successful mating of susceptible and resistant moths.
Comments
© 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers
This document is a U.S. government work and is not subject to copyright in the United States.