Gene flow between populations of insect pests over space and time are critical determinants of evolution and spread of local adaptations such as resistance to control measures. Gene flow is a function of movement distances, rates, timing relative to mating, behavioral motivations, directionality, and the many external factors that can impact them. Field resistance to transgenic Bt-corn expressing Cry1F or Cry1Ab protein toxins used to control European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has been documented recently in several locations in Canada. Continued evolution and spread of resistance from these locations threatens the primary management tool for this major corn pest in North America. Mitigation measures to revert resistant populations to susceptibility, or at least to slow the spread of resistance, will be most effective while the resistant populations are still localized. The effectiveness of potential mitigation tactics, and the geographic scale at which they must be implemented, depend crucially on understanding the complex and sometimes counter-intuitive components of adult European corn borer movement ecology. This poster briefly highlights key aspects of this species' movement ecology that must be taken into account when designing, modeling, and implementing Bt resistance mitigation strategies.
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