Abstract
One of the strategies of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)-soybean is the use of genetically modified plants. However, there are concerns about the unknown effects associated with this technology on non-target organisms. The objective of this study was to determine the population dynamics of species of floral-visiting insects in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and non-Bt soybean. In the experiment, two soybean treatments were assessed, one of soy DM 6563 Intacta and the other BMX Potência RR. Floral-visiting insects were collected in the flowering period every 15 min/h for 12 h/day, every 3 to 4 days. 549 floral-visiting insects (Class Insecta) were collected, comprising 8 orders, 30 families, and 92 species. Of these, 279 were present in the cultivar DM 6563 Intacta and 270 in the cultivar BMX Potência. The most abundant species were Apis mellifera (35.15%), Musca species 1 (10.01%), and Lagria villosa (5.28%). Species composition was similar for the two cultivars. The highest number of species visited the flowers of the cultivars between 8:00 and 11:00 am, while the lowest intensity of visitation occurred between 12:00 and 15:00 pm. After diversity was determined, it was observed that cultivar BMX Potência (non-Bt) had a higher diversity than cultivar DM 6563 Intacta (Bt). Key words: Pollinators, species diversity, transgenic.
Highlights
Soybean culture has been affected by many agricultural pests, including arthropods, resulting in decreased crop yields and reduced seed and grain quality (Roggia, 2010)
To minimize consequences from insect pests in soybean culture and regulate the use of pesticides, the Integrated Pest Management of soy (IPM-Soy) was implemented, integrating the use of various strategies and control tactics (Corrêa-Ferreira et al, 2010), one of which is the use of genetically modified plants resistant to pests
The Hymenoptera, to which the largest number of collected specimens belonged, showed the highest abundance among all of the orders collected, both in the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cultivar where 122 individuals were sampled (43.72% of the total found in this cultivar), as well as in the non-Bt cultivar that presented 121 individuals of this order (44.81%)
Summary
Soybean culture has been affected by many agricultural pests, including arthropods, resulting in decreased crop yields and reduced seed and grain quality (Roggia, 2010). The harmful effects of insecticides on pollination by entomophilous agents, an important production factor of this agricultural crop, are of concern (Freitas and Pinheiro, 2012; Malaspina and SilvaZacarin, 2006; Spadotto et al, 2004). To reduce risks to human health, environmental contamination, and possible harmful effects on pollinating insects, including bees, the restricted use of insecticides in soybean culture has been encouraged (Anvisa, 2015). Bt plants have the potential to minimize losses caused by insect pests, especially the order Lepidoptera, as well as reduce insecticide use (Yu et al, 2011). Bt insecticidal proteins kill insects by a process comprising the following steps: crystal solubilization processing, conversion to an active protoxin form, high-affinity binding to the midgut receptors, irreversible insertion of the toxin into the membrane, and the formation of infection pores (Bravo et al, 2005; de Maagd et al, 2001)
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