Abstract
The development and fecundity of the predator Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were assessed by feeding Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) that had been reared on transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton SGK321 and a non-Bt cotton control (SY321) for two successive generations. We found no significant differences in the developmental stage duration, stage survival, or egg hatch rate between C. carnea fed A. gossypii reared on the Bt and non-Bt cotton. The fecundity per female over a 25-day observation period was very similar between treatments; for C. carnea fed A. gossypii reared on SGK321 vs. SY321, the amount of eggs laid was not significantly different in both generations. Furthermore, a population dynamics of A. gossypii and lacewing (mainly C. carnea) were highly similar in the SGK321 and SY321 treatments during 2016–2017. These results suggest that Bt cotton does not have a significantly negative or positive effect on C. carnea in terms of development, survival, fecundity, or population dynamics.
Highlights
Transgenic cotton producing insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plays a significant role in insect pest management around the world
Cry1Ac protein of fresh weight (FW) expression in the leaves of SGK321 detected by ELISA was 964.2 ng/g on June 10, and it dropped to 802.7 ng/g on June 20 in 2017
The durations of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars, the total larval stage for the first and second predator generation in the experiment were no significant difference between fed A. gossypii reared on SGK321 (Bt) and SY321(non-Bt) cotton
Summary
Transgenic cotton producing insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plays a significant role in insect pest management around the world. Bt cotton successfully controls several insect pests of cotton [e.g., Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and reduces pesticide use in other crops that previously required protection against target pests, thereby boosting crop yields and generating more income for farmers [1,2,3]. In China, Bt cotton has been used to control cotton bollworm since 1997, and it has already been adopted by 95% of farmers in northern China, where it plays a prominent role in pest control in cotton fields [4]. Transgenic Bt cotton has contributed substantially to the reduction of damage by cotton bollworm. Because of its widespread use, efforts to evaluate its safety have received a great deal of attention worldwide, and its potential for harmful effects
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