The Impact of Nutrition on Cry1Ac Susceptibility in Helicoverpa Zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A Case Study in Environmentally-Mediated Resistance

This study looks at the impact of macronutrient nutrition on Cry1Ac susceptibility in the generalist pest Helicoverpa zea, or cotton bollworm. We reared larvae on diets ranging in protein-to-carbohydrate ratio (P:C), with and without Cry1Ac incorporated, and measure survival, developmental time, and pupal mass. We found strong effects of diet P:C ratio on survival when larvae were exposed to moderate doses of Cry1Ac and strong effects of total macronutrient concentration at higher Cry1Ac levels.