Method of evaluating plant protection

摘要

A method is provided for evaluating a protected plant having a protection mechanism. A population of immature insects (i.e., larvae or nymphs) belonging to an insect species having a plurality of instars is first exposed to the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby. The insect exposure extends for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant. The exposure of the insect population to the protected plant is then halted following the selected time period and insects collected. A physical characteristic of at least some collected insects is measured. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed so as to determine an efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant with respect to the insect population. Associated methods are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of evaluating efficacy of a protection mechanism of a protected plant against an insect, comprising:
(a) exposing a population of immature insects that belong to an insect species having a plurality of instars to a specimen of the protected plant such that the protected plant is at least contacted thereby, the exposure extending for a selected time period corresponding to a sublethal exposure of the insect population to the protected plant, said time period being set so that more than 50% of the insects do not die during the time period and so that the time period expires before 90% of the insect population leaves the larval or nymphal development stage; (b) halting the exposure of the insect population to the protected plant following the selected time period and collecting at least some of the immature insects; (c) measuring a physical characteristic of at least some of the collected immature insects; and (d) statistically analyzing the measured physical characteristics so as to determine efficacy of the protection mechanism of the protected plant, wherein said statistical analysis comprises systematically comparing a distribution of said collected insects with a corresponding distribution of collected insects of a control entity.