Indianapolis, Indiana and Johnston, Iowa
August 22, 2003

Herculex™ I Insect Protection is now approved to give corn growers built-in protection against western bean cutworm, thanks to a recent registration amendment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As one of the most difficult-to-treat and damaging corn pests, western bean cutworm continues to rapidly spread east.  Once found primarily in Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho, western bean cutworm now feeds in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota cornfields. Herculex I is the only in-plant insect-protection trait on the market that protects corn against this increasingly problematic pest.

"Western bean cutworm is becoming a significant pest in the Corn Belt, and we're excited to bring farmers a more effective option against it," says David Borgmeier, Traits Licensing marketing specialist with Dow AgroSciences. "Herculex I will provide more consistent results than many management strategies. The protection is already in place."

Herculex I Insect Protection – now in its first season of commercial availability – was developed in a research collaboration between Dow AgroSciences and its affiliate Mycogen Seeds and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. In addition to western bean cutworm, Herculex I provides full-season protection against first- and second-generation European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, black cutworm and fall armyworm, plus intermediate suppression of corn earworm.

“Growers planting corn hybrids with the Herculex I trait have seen effective protection this season against a range of damaging pests,” says Kyle Whitaker, corn technology launch manager, Pioneer. “The addition of western bean cutworm to this list enhances the overall value of this trait.”

A late-season corn pest, western bean cutworm feeds directly on the developing ear causing extensive damage and yield loss. According to South Dakota State University recommendations, treatment thresholds occur when western bean cutworm egg masses exist on just 8 percent of corn plants. European corn borer infestations typically don’t require treatment until infestation levels reach 25 to 30 percent.

University specialists warn that just one worm per eartip can result in a $7 to $8 loss per acre. And unlike corn earworm, western bean cutworm is not cannibalistic, so infestations easily can exceed five worms per ear. At these higher populations, the cutworms spread from the eartip and feed on the entire ear. Colorado State University estimates that infestations averaging several larvae per ear can result in a 30 to 40 percent yield reduction. On a field with a yield potential of 125 bushels per acre, that’s a loss of $75 to $100 per acre with corn at $2 per bushel. These messy feeders also leave corn vulnerable to mold and diseases, which can hurt grain quality, resulting in additional financial losses.

“As western bean cutworm hit its peak this year, farmers spent a lot of time scouting fields trying to decide if the pest warranted treatment,” notes Jon Babcock, agronomist, Dow AgroSciences. “Herculex I protects corn regardless of infestation levels.”

Even when the decision to spray is made, success is often limited. Timing is critical. Once western bean cutworm moves into the ear, treatment becomes highly ineffective. Plus, multiple hatches may make it difficult to achieve satisfactory control with one insecticide application.

While Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer pooled their talents to research and develop the new technology, they will continue to independently market and sell corn hybrids with the Herculex I trait on a competitive basis. Herculex I is available in hybrids from Mycogen Seeds, Pioneer and in TRITON™ Genetics brand hybrids from CHS Marketing LLC.

Dow AgroSciences LLC, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a global leader in providing pest management and biotechnology products that improve the quality and quantity of the earth's food supply and contribute to the health and quality of life of the world's growing population. Dow AgroSciences has approximately 6,000 people in over 50 countries dedicated to its business, and has worldwide sales of US $2.7 billion. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company. For more information about Dow AgroSciences, visit www.dowagro.com.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by solving problems and creating solutions that make people's lives better, safer and easier. Operating in more than 70 countries, the company offers a wide range of products and services to markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

™Herculex is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
™TRITON GENETICS is a trademark of CHS Marketing LLC
Herculex I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.

Q. Isn’t western bean cutworm only a problem in Colorado and farther west?

A. Western bean cutworm was originally a pest primarily in Colorado and other western states. In recent years,
it has continued to push east into the Corn Belt. Western bean cutworm now exists in Nebraska, South
Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas and Iowa. During the last three years, University of Nebraska specialists have
seen a definite increase in western bean cutworm well outside of its traditional range. Infestations have been
reported as far east as Interstate 35 in Iowa.

Q. Is western bean cutworm really a significant pest?

A. Because western bean cutworm feeds on developing ears, it can have a direct and significant impact on yield.
An infestation of several larvae per ear can result in 30 to 40 percent yield losses. In addition, western bean
cutworms are messy feeders, which leaves plants open to bacteria and mold. This can cause additional
financial losses due to reduced grain quality.

Q. Why is western bean cutworm moving east?

A. Several factors likely influenced the spread of western bean cutworm. The movement started after western
bean cutworm shifted hosts from dry edible beans to corn in the 1940s. Continuation of its eastward
movement may be due to a combination of mild winters and drought, which increase survival rates, and
reduced insecticide use.

Q. Which Bt products protect against western bean cutworm?

A. Herculex™ I Insect Protection is the only in-plant insect-protection trait that offers protection against
western bean cutworm.

Q. Can’t I use insecticides to treat western bean cutworm?

A. Insecticides are only effective if applied after 95 percent of the corn plants have tasseled and very few ears
have formed. Insecticide applications applied prior to tassel are less effective in controlling western bean
cutworm present on the plant, because they are typically hidden within the whorl feeding on the developing
tassel. After tasseling, the larvae quickly move to the developing ear where the husks protect them from
exposure to insecticides. Additionally, because western bean cutworm can lay eggs over several weeks, two
or three insecticide applications may be required. The full-plant protection of Herculex I protects corn all
season long and reduces reliance on scouting and careful timing of insecticide application, stopping the
cutworms before they can reduce yields and munch away profits.

Q. Are certain areas more susceptible to western bean cutworm infestations?

A. Western bean cutworm pupae overwinter in underground chambers about five to 10 inches below the soil
surface. Sandy soils are well drained and easy to tunnel, so pupal survival and moth emergence tend to be
higher. However, western bean cutworm months are strong fliers and can travel significant distances to lay
their eggs, so distance from sandy soils doesn’t necessarily mean immunity.


Q. Why wasn’t Herculex I originally registered to protect against western bean cutworm?

A. During development of Herculex I, trials did not initially target effectiveness of the trait against western bean
cutworm. This slightly delayed characterization of the activity of Herculex I against this pest, relative to
characterization of the other registered pests – protection against European corn borer, southwestern corn
borer, black cutworm and fall armyworm, and intermediate suppression of corn earworm. Additionally,
western bean cutworm is not reared in laboratories, which makes conducting field trials more unpredictable
and slows the characterization process. Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer data from two years of replicated
trials and strip plots strongly supports that Herculex I reliably protects corn from significant damage by
western bean cutworm.

™Herculex is a trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC
Herculex I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred.