Measuring rootworm refuge function: Diabrotica virgifera virgifera emergence and mating in seed blend and strip refuges for Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize

BACKGROUND Current insect resistance management plans rely on refuges of plants without Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins to provide a gene pool of unexposed insects. Insects from refuges must mate with insects from Bt maize to slow resistance evolution. We used stable isotope labeling to observe Diabrotica virgifera virgifera emergence, dispersal, physical characteristics, and mating in Bt and refuge maize planted in different refuge...