No detrimental effect of Bt maize pollen containing Cry1Ab/2Aj or Cry1Ac on adult green lacewings Chrysoperla sinica Tjeder

Abstract

Adult Chrysoperla sinica Tjeder is a common pollen feeder in maize fields. They are thus directly exposed to insecticidal proteins by consumption of genetically engineered maize pollen containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins. Here we assessed the potential effects of Cry1Ab/2Aj-or Cry1Ac-containing Bt maize pollen on the fitness of adult C. sinica via a dietary-exposure assay under laboratory conditions. Survival, pre-oviposition, fecundity and adult dry weight did not differ between adult C. sinica consuming Bt or the corresponding non-Bt maize pollen. The stability of the Cry protein in the food sources and uptake of the Cry protein by adult C. sinica during the feeding experiment were confirmed by ELISA. These results demonstrate that adult C. sinica are not affected by the consumption of Cry1Ab/2Aj-or Cry1Ac-containing maize pollen, suggesting that production of Bt maize expressing cry1Ab/2Aj or cry1Ac genes will pose a negligible risk to adult C. sinica.

Expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj Protein in Genetically Engineered Maize Plants and Its Transfer in the Arthropod Food Web

“…Based on their abundance in Chinese maize fields [16], exposure to Cry protein, and suitability for testing under laboratory conditions, the following predators can be suggested as surrogate species: Propylea japonica (Thunberg) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), P. fuscipes, C. nipponensis, and spiders. Previous ERA studies have already utilized these species as surrogates, including P. japonica [40][41][42], P. fuscipes [43], C. nipponensis [44], and the spider Ummeliata insecticeps (Bösenberg and Strand) (Aranea: Linyphiidae) [45]. There were some studies on the effect of maize materials containing Cry1Ab/2Aj protein on non-target predators.…”

“…There were some studies on the effect of maize materials containing Cry1Ab/2Aj protein on non-target predators. No negative effects were observed on P. japonica (feeding dose up to 3.17 µg Cry1Ab/2Aj/g pollen) [42], Chrysoperla sinica (Okamoto) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) (up to 2.06 µg/g Cry1Ab/2Aj detected in the body) [44], and Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) (feeding dose up to 3.16 µg/g Spodoptera exigua detected in the body) [28,46].…”

Impact of Transgenic Cry1Ab/2Aj Maize on Abundance of Non-Target Arthropods in the Field

“…The GE maize line has already passed regulatory approval and received a safety certification, and it may enter commercial cultivation soon in China. So far, studies have been conducted with the maize line, mainly focusing on the development of detection methods [ 28 , 29 ], resistance on target pests [ 26 , 30 ] and laboratory assessment of the potential effects on non-target arthropods, including honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) [ 31 ], silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) [ 32 ], green lacewing ( Chrysoperla sinica ) [ 33 ] and effects on microbial diversity [ 34 ]. Its potential effects on arthropod populations have rarely been evaluated in the field.…”