Fall Armyworm Survivorship and Damage Potential on Selected Transgenic Cottons

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae were evaluated in field trials for damage and survivorship on Bollgard®, Bollgard II®, and WideStrike™ cotton lines in comparison with a conventional non-Bt line.  Larvae were placed on selected fruiting forms within the field and enclosed with a nylon mesh bag.  Penetration of the fruiting form and larval survival were recorded at set intervals after infestation.  Number of damaged fruiting structures and fall armyworm survivorship differed between Bt cotton lines.