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Abstract
Corn expressing specific Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) traits provides effective control of lepidopteran pest infestations in the southeastern United States region. Varying levels of control and resistance development among local populations call for regular monitoring of Bt technology in the field. Plantings done over two years in Georgia found both fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), infestations were significantly reduced by Bt hybrids expressing the Vip3Aa20 protein. Grain yield loss and increased fumonisin contamination directly associated with corn earworm damage were also prevented. Bt hybrids expressing only Cry proteins provided good control against fall armyworm and reduced grain yield loss yet were mostly ineffective against corn earworm. These findings present the current efficacy rates of Bt corn hybrids towards lepidopteran pest control in Georgia and the significance of using Vip3A proteins for insecticidal use while also providing a degree of fumonisin control.