Development and reproduction ofSpodoptera eridania(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its egg parasitoidTelenomus remus(Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on the genetically modified soybean (Bt) MON 87701×MON 89788

Abstract

AbstractGenetically modified crops with insect resistance genes fromBacillus thuringiensisBerliner (Bt-plants) are increasingly being cultivated worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to improve our knowledge of their direct or indirect impact not only on target pests but also on non-target arthropods. Hence, this study evaluates comparative leaf consumption and performance ofSpodoptera eridania(Cramer), a species that is tolerant of the Cry1Ac protein, fed withBtsoybean, MON 87701×MON 89788 or its non-Btisoline. We also assessed the comparative performance of the egg parasitoidTelenomus remusNixon on eggs ofS. eridaniaproduced from individuals that fed on these two soybean isolines as larvae. Results showed thatBtsoybean reduced by 2 days larval development and increased by 3 days adult male longevity. Therefore, we conclude that the effect ofBtsoybean MON 87701×MON 89788 onS. eridaniadevelopment and reproduction is small, and favorable to pest development. These differences are less likely to directly result from the toxin presence but indirectly from unintended changes in plant characteristics caused by the insertion of the transgene. Our results should be viewed as an alert thatS. eridaniapopulations may increase inBtsoybeans, but on the other hand, no adverse effects of this technology were observed for the egg parasitoidT. remuswhich can help to preventS. eridaniaoutbreaks on these crops.