Transcriptional gut response of Spodoptera frugiperda to Cry1AB toxin

Spodoptera frugiperda known as fall armyworm, FAW, (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major corn crop pest in Brazil. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) stands out among the organisms used without biological control of this pest. Cultures expressing Bt genes are among the most successful technologies developed for pest control, but the evolution of resistance to them remains a challenge. It is believed that differences in mode of action are responsible for the absence of cross-resistance to Vip3 proteins observed in Cry resistant insects of all insect species tested. However, cross-resistance studies for Cry proteins in insects resistant to Vip3 are scarce. In this context, the objective of this work will be to evaluate the presence and expression of genes coding for entomopathogenic protein receptors (Cry1Ab) both in S. frugiperda larvae that are resistant to toxins as well as in other conditions, such as gene expression of a given receptor for Cry in the intestine of non-toxin resistant S frugiperda larvae. Thus, it will be possible to understand the mechanism of resistance of S. frugiperda to the proteins Cry1Ab and propose alternatives for its control.