Evaluation of foliar damage by Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to genetically modified corn (Poales: Poaceae) in Mexico

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith & Abbot (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a key pest of corn, Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae), in Mexico. The development of genetically modified (GM) corn hybrids for resistance to this insect, with the inclusion of several genes coding for proteins Cry1Ab, Vip3Aa20, and mCry3A of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) (Bt), offer an alternative to conventional insecticides to control this pest. Resistance to fall armyworms of the GM corn hybrids Agrisure 3000 GT, Agrisure Viptera 3110, and Agrisure Viptera 3111 was evaluated in 4 locations at Sinaloa for a 3 yr period. Damage evaluation showed that the maize hybrids with the Bt gene insertion were not affected by the fall armyworm as compared with their respective isolines, which were seriously damaged. The results reaffirm the insect control benefits provided by this technology and provide a baseline for resistance management.