Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) survival on transgenic cotton in India

Abstract Background Insecticidal proteins from the Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) marks genetically modified cotton crop that was commercialized in India March 2002 for control of lepidopteron bollworms. Despite organized initial control, pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), adapted itself to cry toxins resulted field failures 2016 and 2017. The present study designed understand survival development PBW populations differing susceptibility Cry on non-Bt plants. Results For assessment infestation, were collected different growing states. Per cent infestation flowers green bolls areas range 3.09–29.26 36–91.20% bolls, respectively. Among locations highest magnitude resistance Cry1Ac (371.8-fold) Cry2Ab (4214.3-fold) spotted late season Rajkot bolls. Further, order confirm level surviving larvae high low concentrations toxins, pooled subjected boll bioassays. revealed that, none susceptible survived BGII Although, same showed a 38 32%, which led 80% locule damage non- cotton. Maximum (32%) (70%) observed Maharashtra (F-H) Gujarat (B-H) recorded 36% 70% mortality, respectively, 58.33% 60% cotton, Populations derived survivals produced lowest number mines epicarp (2.4 mines/boll) by population NBt Green did not differ mines. Conclusion It concluded