Biocontrol nematodes is not a stand-alone rootworm management technology but an enhancing extra mortality tool for existing RW technology.

• Biocontrol nematodes are an independent rootworm mortality factor separate from RW traits and soil insecticide.  

• If used alone, there is no reason why rootworm will not develop resistance to biocontrol nematodes just like they have to every other management strategy used alone against them (rootworm traits, annual rotation with soybeans).

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The Bt-RW trait is still killing a lot of rootworm larvae even though root damage is occurring

• In spite of increasing root damage with a failing RW trait, RW traits are still killing a lot of rootworm larvae in the field.  When a RW trait is used with Biocontrol Nematodes, the Biocontrol Nematodes have the ability to search out and kill the rootworm larvae surviving the Bt trait toxins.  

• In this manner, biocontrol nematodes are killing the larvae with developing increasing resistance to the toxins in the RW traits and thereby extending the life of the RW trait in the field.

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 Bt-RW toxin slows rootworm larval development and increases the vulnerable attack window for biocontrol nematodes.

• When ingested by susceptible rootworm larvae, the Bt toxin from the RW trait causes the larvae to stop feeding and slowly die in the next7 days.  During this time, biocontrol nematodes can successfully attack the sickened rootworm larvae, make sure they die and reproduce in them.  

• When ingested by resistant rootworm larvae, the Bt toxin still sickens the larvae resulting in slowed growth/development.  Before the resistant larvae can recover from the Bt-toxin, biocontrol nematodes successfully attack, make sure the larvae die and reproduce in them.  

• By preventing the resistant rootworm larvae from recovering from the Bt toxin effects, biocontrol nematodes are reducing resistance development and lengthening the useful life of existing RW trait packages.

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Bt-RW trait allows only the resistant rootworms to survive, allowing the biocontrol nematodes to target the rootworm larvae surviving the Bt-RW toxin.

• Growing corn with Bt-RW trait packages, even though there is increasing damage, is helpful with biocontrol nematodes because only the trait resistant rootworm larvae survive the toxin.

• By reducing the number of rootworm larvae in the soil by killing all the Bt susceptible larvae, biocontrol nematodes are focused on attacking the resistant larvae surviving the toxin.  

• By killing the Bt-trait resistant larvae, biocontrol nematodes are extending the useful field life of existing RW trait packages, even under circumstances where trait effectiveness is declining significantly.