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

Genetically modified crops with insect resistance genes from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (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 of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), a species that is tolerant of the Cry1Ac protein, fed with Bt soybean, MON 87701×MON 89788 or its near [corrected] non-Bt isoline. Using this species as a model, we assessed [corrected] the comparative performance of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon on eggs of S. eridania produced from individuals that fed on these two soybean genotypes [corrected] as larvae. Results showed that Bt soybean did not affect pest foliage consumption, but did reduce larvel duration by two days despite larvae in both treatments having six instars. Nevertheless, survival of S. eridania larvae, pupal weight, sex ratio, fecundity and longevity of female moths, and egg viability did not differ between Bt and non-Bt soybeans. Adult longevity of S. eridania males was increased when caterpillars were fed with Bt soybean versus the near isoline. No adverse effects of this technology were observed for the egg parasitoid T. remus. [corrected].

Relevance of a new scientific publication (Bortolotto et al., 2014) on previous EFSA GMO Panel conclusions on the environmental risk assessment of GM soybean events

“…At present, none of the GM plant applications submitted to EFSA cover the cultivation of soybean MON87701×MON89788 in the European Union. Therefore, the findings reported by Bortolotto et al (2014) have no direct relevance. For the only previous EFSA GMO Panel assessment of an application for cultivation of a GM soybean, application EFSA-GMO-NL-2005-24 (soybean 40-3-2), the data gathered by Bortolotto et al (2014) also have no impact, for a number of reasons, including that no adverse effects were reported on S. eridania and T. remus.…”

“…In their study, Bortolotto et al (2014) assessed whether soybean MON87701×MON89788 has the potential to adversely affect the southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and its egg parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). No adverse effects on the pest S. eridania and the egg parasitoid T. remus were observed.…”

“…Following a request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the scientific quality of the publication by Bortolotto et al (2014) and its corrigendum published online on 8 January 2015, as well as the relevance of the reported findings for the risk assessment of soybean MON87701×MON89788 and other genetically modified (GM) soybean events for which the EFSA GMO Panel already issued a scientific opinion.…”

“…EFSA is requested to analyse the scientific publication by Bortolotto et al (2014) and to provide the European Commission with a response indicating whether "the new scientific information contains elements that could lead the GMO panel to reconsider the outcome of its previous opinions for GM soybean".…”

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Following a request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the scientific quality of the Bortolotto et al (2014) publication and its corrigendum published online on 8 January 2015, as well as the relevance of the reported findings for the risk assessment of soybean MON87701×MON89788 and other genetically modified (GM) soybean events for which the EFSA GMO Panel already issued a scientific opinion. The publication by Bortolotto et al (2014) reveals no new scientific information that would invalidate the previous risk assessment conclusions and risk management recommendations made on soybean MON87701×MON89788 or any other GM soybean event previously assessed by the EFSA GMO Panel. Therefore, EFSA considers that the previous GMO Panel risk assessment conclusions and risk management recommendations on all GM soybean events assessed so far, including soybean MON87701×MON89788, remain valid and applicable.

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