Abstract
Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the potential impact of genetically modified corn hybrid, transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-expressing (Cry2Ab/1Ac), and the corresponding isogenic untransformed Bt-free hybrid on biological parameters of the green lacewing predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens). The effectiveness of transgenic (Bt)-expressing (Cry2Ab/1Ac) on C. carnea developmental parameters (larval duration, pupal duration, mortality %, pupation %, adult emergence %, and adult duration time) was investigated in the first experiment. In the second experiment, the effect of Bt Cry2Ab and Cry1Ac partially purified toxins on the hatchability of C. carnea eggs compared to cypermethrin was examined. Additionally, the toxicity effect of Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella, eggs sprayed with BtCry2Ab/1Ac mixture and cypermethrin on C. carnea was tested. The results showed that the mortality percentage of C. carnea fed on aphids reared on Bt corn (40%) was less than that fed on aphids reared on non-Bt corn (50%). Moreover, the larval mortality %, net pupation, and adults’ emergence percentage of C. carnea larvae fed on aphids reared on Bt corn and non-Bt corn were not significantly different. On the other hand, the hatchability data showed that the chemical insecticide (cypermethrin) severely affected the C. carnea eggs compared to Cry2Ab/1Ac toxins. These findings proved that adopting biopesticide formulation based on Bt toxins or Bt-modified crops will not only affect C. carnea but also enhance its ability as a potential biological pest control agent.
Highlights
Different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used widely to control lepidopterans, dipterans, and coleopterans insect pests over the last five decades
Some of the first genetically engineered crops have been modified to express insecticidal crystalline (Cry) proteins derived from the common soil bacterium B. thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner (Perlak et al, 1991)
The obtained data showed that each larva of C. carnea fed on aphid reared on Bt lines consumed fewer individuals than those reared on aphids fed on non-Bt lines
Summary
Different Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used widely to control lepidopterans, dipterans, and coleopterans insect pests over the last five decades. Since 1996, plants have been modified with short sequences of genes from Bt to express the crystal protein In this technology, plants themselves can produce the proteins and protect themselves from insect damage. Some of the first genetically engineered crops have been modified to express insecticidal crystalline (Cry) proteins derived from the common soil bacterium B. thuringiensis (Bt) Berliner (Perlak et al, 1991). These so-called Bt crops are protected from the feeding of various groups of insect pests. They provide pest control solutions that are highly
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