Estimated frequency of nonrecessive Bt resistance genes in bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in eastern North Carolina

In summer 2000, adult female bollworm moths, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), were collected from light-traps at four locations near the Tidewater Research Station, Plymouth, NC. Female moths were allowed to lay eggs, and at hatch, 72 larvae from each female were screened for growth rate on normal artificial diet and on diets containing 5.0 mug of either CrylAc or Cry2Aa Bt toxin per milliliter of diet. The growth rate bioassays were performed to isolate nonrecessive Bt resistance genes present in field populations of bollworm. We found one individual out of 583 screened that appeared to carry a major gene for resistance to CrylAc. Assuming four alleles per individual, the gene frequency is 1/2332 or 0.00043. Other females appeared to have minor genes for CrylAc resistance or major genes with lower levels of dominance. We also found one individual out of 646 screened that appeared to carry a major gene for resistance to Cry2Aa. The gene frequency for Cry2Aa resistance was estimated at 1/2584 or 0.00039. Again, other females seemed to carry additional minor resistance genes. Along with other results that indicate partially dominant inheritance of CrylAc resistance in bollworm, these allele frequency estimates are important for determining the rate of resistance evolution in H. zea to specific Bt toxins.