Genetic basis and cross-resistance of Vip3Aa resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (lepidoptera: Noctuidae) derived from Texas, USA

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is an economically important crop pest and a major target of transgenic crops expressing Cry and/or Vip3Aa proteins. Widespread adoption of Bt crops has placed a strong selection pressure on the insect populations. Till now, seven lepidopteran and two coleopteran insect species have developed the field-evolved resistance to a Bt crop with practical consequences. Understanding the genetic basis of insect resistance to a Bt protein is essential for designing appropriate resistance management strategies. In this study, we firstly characterized the genetic basis of Vip3Aa resistance in S. frugiperda derived from Texas. Then, we compared the genetic basis of Vip3Aa resistance of this Texas population with a known Vip3Aa resistant population of S. frugiperda collected from Louisiana to determine whether the genetic basis of the resistance in these two resistant populations was the same. Finally, we evaluated the responses of the Vip3Aa-resistant population of S. frugiperda collected from Texas against Cry1F and Cry2Ab2 purified proteins. The results showed that the resistance to Vip3Aa protein in S. frugiperda collected from Texas was likely controlled by a single, functionally recessive and autosomal gene. In addition, the resistance to Vip3Aa in the Texas population of S. frugiperda was not cross-resistant to Cry1F and Cry2Ab2 proteins. The interstrain complementation tests between the Texas and Louisiana resistant populations indicated the genetic basis of the resistance to Vip3Aa in these two populations are different. Considering the rapid invasion of S. frugiperda and the adoption of Vip3Aa Bt crops in the United States and other countries, results generated from this study should provide important information for management of Vip3Aa resistance in S. frugiperda worldwide.