Diabrotica-resistant Bt corn pose no threat to rice leaf bug

After observing the field densities of herbivorous plant bugs in an area planted with the Diabrotica-resistant Bt corn MON88017 and three conventional varieties, researchers at Germany's RWTH Aachen University and University of Göttingen concluded that MON88017 has no impact on the rice leaf bug Trigonotylus caelestialium.

Stefan Rauschen and colleagues planted the rootworm resistant MON88017, its near-isogenic line DKC5143 and two conventional hybrids Benicia and DK315 in a four hectare field for three successive years. Through transect-wise sweep net sampling, the group observed bugs belonging to more than five different genera.

The rice leaf bug, which is the most abundant species, was determined though ELISA tests to have consistently ingested Cry3Bb1 at all stages of their life. Their nymphs contained on average 8 nanograms Cry3Bb1. Despite the exposure, the researchers report that the field densities of the rice leaf bug were always similar in MON88017 and the near-isogenic line. 

For details, the full paper is available to subscribers of the Transgenic Research journal at http://www.springerlink.com/content/836p55v111835448/fulltext.html.