Scientists across North America agree that both European corn borer (ECB) and corn rootworm (CRW) could develop resistance to Bt under conditions of continued use. An individual insect cannot “decide” to become resistant. Rather, resistance arises within populations through natural genetic variability and increased selection pressure by continual exposure to the Bt protein.
How these insect pests develop resistance to Bt differs. To learn more about how each pest can develop resistance, click on one of the following links: