North Carolina State University

Other

Fred L Gould

R Michael Roe

George G Kennedy

Woodward D Bailey

Chester L Sutula

Michael G Villani

Diana C Pour

Methods of assaying insects for pesticide resistance and to identify insect species are based on feeding disruption caused by insecticide such as the biopesticide toxin (Bt). Further provided are methods for monitoring insecticide resistance in a population of insects, as well as methods of screening compounds for insecticidal activity. Insecticide resistance can be assessed at the level of an individual insect or at population levels. Apparatus and dehydrated insect meal pads useful in such assays are described.

Insecticide resistance assay

Methods of assaying insects for pesticide resistance and to identify insect species are based on feeding disruption caused by pesticides such as the biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (Bt). The assay end-point is feeding disruption, measured by the fecal production of insects exposed to a diagnostic dose of pesticide in a test diet. Pesticide resistance can be assessed at the level of an individual insect or at population levels. Apparatus useful in such assays are described.

A process of protecting certain crops from damage by soil-inhabiting insect pests and product produced thereby are disclosed in which seed or seedlings are coated with a plant extract having a natural feeding deterrency of predetermined efficacy to such insect pests and which has no appreciable phytotoxicity to the seeds or seedlings. More specifically, such seeds or at least the below-ground portions of seedlings are coated with an extract from a plant selected from the group consisting of butterfly milkweed, English ivy, santolina, bergamot, clary and swamp milkweed.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Fred L Gould