Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) maize MON810 expresses a Cry1Ab insecticidal protein, derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), toxic to lepidopteran target pests such as Ostrinia nubilalis. An environmental risk to non-target Lepidoptera from this GM crop is exposure to harmful amounts of Bt-containing pollen deposited on host plants in or near MON810 fields. An 11-parameter mathematical model analysed exposure of larvae of three non-target species: the butterflies Inachis io (L.), Vanessa atalanta (L.) and moth Plutella xylostella (L.), in 11 representative maize cultivation regions in four European countries. A mortality–dose relationship was integrated with a dose–distance relationship to estimate mortality both within the maize MON810 crop and within the field margin at varying distances from the crop edge. Mortality estimates were adjusted to allow for physical effects; the lack of temporal coincidence between the susceptible larval stage concerned and the period over which maize MON810 pollen is shed; and seven further parameters concerned with maize agronomy and host-plant ecology. Sublethal effects were estimated and allowance made for aggregated pollen deposition. Estimated environmental impact was low: in all regions, the calculated mortality rate for worst-case scenarios was less than one individual in every 1572 for the butterflies and one in 392 for the moth.
Highlights
Several genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed to provide protection against certain lepidopteran target pests, such as the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) and the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre), by the introduction of a part of a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene encoding the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein
Within Europe, maize is not an important food resource for indigenous lepidopteran larvae, with the exception of few pest species, so exposure to potentially harmful amounts of Bt-containing pollen deposited on host plants in or near maize MON810 fields is the main risk to non-target Lepidoptera, as reviewed in the BEETLE report (2009)
Lethal and sublethal effects of Bt-maize pollen consumption by lepidopteran larvae have been reported for several non-target lepidopteran species under laboratory conditions in the USA ( Jesse & Obrycki 2000; Wraight et al 2000; Hellmich et al 2001; Dively et al 2004; Anderson et al 2005; Mattila et al 2005) and within Europe (Felke et al 2002; Felke & Langenbruch 2005; Lang & Vojtech 2006), the magnitude of the hazard being dependent on the Bt-maize event, the lepidopteran species and the larval stage, the amount of pollen consumed and amount of Cry1Ab protein ingested
Summary
Several genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed to provide protection against certain lepidopteran target pests, such as the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) and the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre), by the introduction of a part of a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene encoding the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein (http://www.agbios.com/ dbase.php). An 11-parameter mathematical model analysed exposure of larvae of three non-target species: the butterflies Inachis io (L.), Vanessa atalanta (L.) and moth Plutella xylostella (L.), in 11 representative maize cultivation regions in four European countries.
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