Biotech Updates

Effects of Cry1F on Army Worm's Predator

June 1, 2012

Army worms (Spodoptera frugiperda) are the first organisms that exhibited field-evolved resistance to Cry1F-expressing maize (Mycogen 2A517). On the other hand, ladybird beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) suppresses populations of maize pests by feeding on aphids, thrips, lepidopteran eggs and larvae, as well as plant tissues.

Cornell University scientist Anthony Shelton and colleagues evaluated the impact of Cry1F-expressing maize on a number of fitness parameters of ladybirds for two generations using army worm larvae as prey.

Results showed that the length of larval and pupal stages, adult weight, and fecundity of ladybirds had no significant difference if fed with resistant army worm larvae reared on Bt maize or control maize leaves. Bioassays also confirmed that the ladybirds were exposed to Bt protein. Based on these findings, the Bt protein did not affect the important fitness parameters of army worms' predator and that the protein was diluted when transferred to other trophic levels.

Read more information about the study at http://www.springerlink.com/content/g9v7254n85u84341/.