Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 and Cry2 polypeptides. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of embodiments of the invention to synergistically enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed in embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 and the immature insects are then sorted into instars. The measured physical characteristics are then statistically analyzed across the instars 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods and other means for evaluating durability of genetic traits for the control of damage by pests are provided. Inputs parameters associated with the genetic traits, pests, and one or more fields may be received by a computer and/or other type of machine, which may apply a computer-implemented model to determine, e.g., durability of the genetic traits. Some embodiments may also or instead include an output associated with, e.g., the durability. The computer-implemented model may provide, in some embodiments, for modeling dynamic movement of the pests within a Bt field and one or more of the fields being Bt fields. The computer-implemented model may also or instead provide, in some embodiments, for modeling blended refuge seed products.