Evaluations of Bollgard®, Bollgard II®, and WideStrike® Technologies against Beet and Fall Armyworm Larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Transgenic cottons containing the Bollgard®, Bollgard II® and WideStrike® traits were grown in 2005 and 2007 to examine the efficacy against beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) and fall armyworms S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Results suggest that both dual-gene traits are more efficacious against these armyworm species than Bollgard®. In these studies, WideStrike® appears to be more efficacious against fall armyworms than Bollgard II®, while Bollgard II® is more efficacious against beet armyworms than WideStrike®. Possible reasons for these differences in efficacy are discussed.