Concentration-Mortality Response of Mexican Populations Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Commercial Formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most economically important pest of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in Mexico. In order to identify biologically based management tactics for this pest, we determined the concentration-mortality response of 16 S. frugiperda populations collected in Mexico to two commercial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) (XenTari (R) [Btsubsp. aizawai] and DiPer (R) [Bt subsp. kurstaki]; Valent de Mexico SA De CV, Jalisco, Mexico). Laboratory bioassays established median lethal concentrations (LC(50)s) for each Bt formulation x population combination. We also determined mean larval weight 7 d after exposure and the number of larvae that reached the third instar of development. The populations were susceptible to both Bt formulations but they were, overall, more susceptible to Bt subsp. aizawai (XenTari) than to Bt subsp. kurstaki (DiPel). These results can serve as a reference to detect changes in S. frugiperda response to these Bt commercial products over time.