Where have all the borers gone? - the Asian corn borer after 12 years of Bt corn in the Philippines
2015
Caasi-Lit, M.T.
Corn production for the most part of the last century has been almost synonymous with pesticide spraying due to the heavy infestation of the number one insect pest, the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenee). With the advent of Bt corn technology, local populations of ACB have been effectively managed. After over a decade of Bt corn farming, corn production has reached its highest revenue and there is even the possibility of expanding toward export markets. The reduced ACB population in the major growing areas planted to Bt corn has opened the big question, that is, during these times, 'where have all the borers gone?' since Day One in 2003 when Bt corn was first commercially introduced? This paper discusses the significance of Bt corn introduction in the country and its effects on the life of the Asian corn borer. Did it generally suppress eventually the population of ACB? Interestingly, field observations revealed that it continues to be a serious pest of open pollinated corn varieties. The important roles of alternate hosts, as well as the initial results of an on-going survey, are also presented.
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Este registro bibliográfico ha sido proporcionado por University of the Philippines at Los Baños