Why Are Refuge Areas Important?

Moths mating
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of
Winfield Sterling (retired), Texas A&M

The most important component that growers in the Western Cotton Belt can control in the Insect Resistance Management program for WideStrike® Insect Protection and other Bt cotton is a non-Bt refuge cotton crop that is planted in near proximity or within the primary Bt cotton field. The non-Bt refuge helps ensure that an ample supply of susceptible insect moths mate with any survivors from the Bt field. This reduces the likelihood that a resistant moth can emerge from a Bt field and choose another resistant moth for a mate.

Without a refuge, a proliferation of resistant moths could eventually result in widespread resistance to Bt cotton products, ultimately limiting the effectiveness of this important technology.