With the number of Bt corn hybrids commercially available, it can be confusing to decide which product best fits one’s needs. The field history, along with reported control failures and evidence of insect resistance or cross-resistance to insecticidal traits are all important factors in deciding which hybrid to plant. Michigan State University regularly publishes a very useful “Handy Bt trait table” with pests controlled by various trait packages, resistance findings, new product information, refuge requirement etc. The latest version available was updated in January 2018. This table can be found here.

Bt traits are used to control a wide spectrum of common corn pests. Target species include aboveground Lepidoptera pests such as western bean cutworm, European corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm, etc., as well as soil or belowground insects like corn rootworms and black cutworms. Generally speaking trait packages containing Cry1’s, Cry2’s and Vip proteins target Lepidoptera pests while Cry3’s proteins target corn rootworms. More specifically Cry1Ab’s target is European corn borer, while Cry2Ab2 was initially targeted against tobacco budworm, corn earworm, fall armyworm and other important pests of cotton. Cry1F provides good control of corn borers, fall armyworm and suppression of corn earworm. About a decade ago, Cry1F was considered efficacious against western bean cutworm (WBC) but after numerous failure reports this protein is no longer considered an option to manage WBC. Currently Vip3A is the only Bt toxin providing control of WBC and it is the most consistently effective protein against corn earworm. For managing corn earworm, corn hybrids with multiple Bt traits (for example Cry1A.105+Cry2Ab2 + Cry1F found in Smartstax) can provide better protection than hybrids containing single traits or "suppression only" traits (for example those containing Cry1F and/ or Cry1Ab like AcreMAx and Agrisure products without the Viptera trait).

Insect resistance to Bt proteins is a serious concern, especially in pests like corn rootworm, corn earworm, fall armyworm and western bean cutworm (where found). Corn rootworm is an important economic pest of corn in the Midwestern states. Bt corn hybrids used to control corn rootworms have been available for over a decade but performance issues were reported just a few years after their first commercial launch. Likewise, recent experiments conducted on Bt sweet corn have documented decreased susceptibility of corn earworm to multiple Cry proteins providing evidence of field evolved resistance of this pest.  

Resistance management strategies have been developed to help lengthen the efficacy of Bt traits. Some of the most important ones include the refuge requirement and rotation of Bt proteins. Initially, Bt corn hybrids had one Bt trait and a refuge requirement of 20% (non-Bt corn). Since then, research has allowed to develop hybrids containing multiple insecticidal traits and the refuge requirement is different for different hybrids and target pests (5-20%) and it can be structured (block or strips) or integrated (in a bag). The adoption of integrated refuges or “refuge in a bag” has greatly reduced issues with compliance requirements. In continuous corn situations, rotation of Bt proteins is key to managing insect resistance. Rotating Bt traits can be a confusing process. This is where the “2018 Handy Bt trait table” can be useful. Using hybrids with multiple proteins (pyramids) can slow down resistance development as insects are less likely to develop resistance to two toxins at once versus a single toxin. However be aware that if the target pest has developed resistance to one of the traits in the pyramid, the utility of the pyramid is reduced. 

For more information on Bt hybrids available in your area check with your local FS crop specialist.