Comparison of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner) maize and conventional measures for control of the European corn borer (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

Field experiments were conducted in 1997 to compare the efficacy St (Bacill us thuringiensis Berliner) maize hybrids and two conventional measures for control of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). Treatments consisted of transgenic St maize hybrids and their non-St isolines, and is olines treated with a formulated St or permethrin insecticide. All control measures significantly reduced O. nubilalis damage in terms of tunnels per plant, length of tunneling, and larvae per plant. The following hierarchy i n terms of O. nubilalis efficacy was observed: transgenic Bt > permethrin > formulated Bt > control. in most cases, transgenic St maize was most effec tive in preventing European corn borer damage to ear shanks and generally p roduced the highest grain yields.