Population-scale laboratory studies of the effect of transgenic plants on nontarget insects

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Schuler, T. H., Denholm, I., Jouanin, L., Clark, S. J., Clark, A. J. and Poppy, G. M. 2001. Population-scale laboratory studies of the effect of transgenic plants on nontarget insects. Molecular Ecology. 10 (7), pp. 1845-1853. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01309.x

AuthorsSchuler, T. H., Denholm, I., Jouanin, L., Clark, S. J., Clark, A. J. and Poppy, G. M.
Abstract

Studies of the effects of insect-resistant transgenic plants on beneficial insects have, to date, concentrated mainly on either small-scale 'worst case scenario' laboratory experiments or on field trials. We present a laboratory method using large population cages that represent an intermediate experimental scale, allowing the study of ecological and behavioural interactions between transgenic plants, pests and their natural enemies under more controlled conditions than is possible in the field. Previous studies have also concentrated on natural enemies of lepidopteran and coleopteran target pests. However, natural enemies of other pests, which are not controlled by the transgenic plants, are also potentially exposed to the transgene product when feeding on hosts. The reduction in the use of insecticides on transgenic crops could lead to increasing problems with such nontarget pests, normally controlled by sprays, especially if there are any negative effects of the transgenic plant on their natural enemies. This study tested two lines of insect-resistant transgenic oilseed rape (Brassica napus) for side-effects on the hymenopteran parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae and its aphid host, Myzus persicae. One transgenic line expressed the F-endotoxin Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and a second expressed the proteinase inhibitor oryzacystatin I (OC-I) from rice. These transgenic plant lines were developed to provide resistance to lepidopteran and coleopteran pests, respectively. No detrimental effects of the transgenic oilseed rape lines on the ability of the parasitoid to control aphid populations were observed. Adult parasitoid emergence and sex ratio were also not consistently altered on the transgenic oilseed rape lines compared with the wild-type lines.

KeywordsBiochemistry & Molecular Biology; Ecology; Evolutionary Biology
Year of Publication2001
JournalMolecular Ecology
Journal citation10 (7), pp. 1845-1853
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01309.x
PubMed ID11472551
Open accessPublished as non-open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or code436
510
509
445
513
Project: 8512
Collaborative statistical investigations into biological processes
PublisherWiley
ISSN0962-1083

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