Updates on laboratory mass-rearing of lepidopteran pests of corn with notes on the recently collected insect pathogens

Issue Date

10-2012

Abstract

The success, constraints and future needs of research endeavors on mass rearing lepidopterous insects are discussed. The production of test insects is necessary in many aspects of basic and applied researches and has always been a vision/mission of the Institute of Plant Breeding Entomology Laboratory since 1975. The availability of laboratory-reared Insects is an important requirement in support of studies on host plant resistance in use in varietal improvement program on economically important crops. The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and earworm Helicoverpa armigera, are being reared successfully in large scale.Before Bt corn was introduced in the country, bioefficacy testing was conducted and the Entomology Laboratory has been instrumental in providing technical assistance. In an effort to release second generation corn varieties with resistance not only to ACB but also to other lepidopteran pests of corn, continuous production of insects is again needed and made rearing included the presence of potent insect pathogens tentatively identified as nuclearpolyhedrosis Virus (NVP), Serratia sp. And possibly Beauveria bassiana. This is the first time in the history of earworm rearing that it is challenged by such pathogens . However, the positive side of this observation is the isolation biological control agent for these insects. Overall, this collaborative effort is important in linking private sector and public institutions in undertaking basic research and development, a strategic approach for advancing the science and practice of biotechnology-assisted pest management.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

26

Issue

2

Page

188-189

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

OSTRINIA FURNACALIS; LEPIDOPTERA; MASS REARING; PESTS OF PLANTS; PEST CONTROL; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS

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