FALL ARMYWORM STRAINS (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) IN ARGENTINA, THEIR ASSOCIATE HOST PLANTS AND RESPONSE

EDUARDO VIRLA; ANALÍA ALVAREZ; FLAVIA LOTO; LICIA PERA; MARIO BAIGORI

FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST

E.O. Painter Printing Company

Lugar: Florida; Año: 2008 vol. 91 p. 63 - 69

0015-4040

The aim of this research was to identify the existence of different Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (FAW) host strains in Argentina, and to determine their behaviors in the presence of different mortality factors. Populations belonging to these strains were tested with the pesticides chlorpyriphos and cypermethrin, transgenic corn germplasms expressing Cry proteins 1Ab or 1F, and an indigenous Bacillus thuringiensis strain. The relation of these strains with the host plant species and crop utilization, subsistence or commercial ones, is discussed. The response to the assayed insecticides, Bt transgenic corn and Bt suspension was diverse, showing wide variability in mortality rates. This research validates the need of intensive studies relating resistance phenomena with the differential behavior of the host strains inhabiting Argentina. Host plant and crop utility is not a determinant for the identity of the colonizing strain, so molecular identification of the strains is highly recommended before study of any aspect of the FAW in Argentina.