Biotech Updates

Effect of Transgenic nptII-leafy Pinus radiata (Pinales: Pinaceae) on Common Forest Looper and its Endoparasitod

October 21, 2011

The effect of transgenic pine tree (Pinus radiata) with antibiotic resistance marker gene nptII and the reproductive control gene leafy on lepidopteran pest and hymenopteran endoparasitoid was studied by E.P.J. Burgess of New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd together with other scientists. Larvae of common forest looper (Pseudocoremia suavi) were fed with transgenic pine needles. Unparasitized loopers and loopers parasitized with endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis that consumed transgenic pine needles showed no differences in larval growth rate or mass at any age, larval duration, survival, pupation or successful emergence as an adult.

Results of the study suggest that transgenic plantation pines expressing nptII have no impact on insect populations present in the field.

Read the abstract at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/envent/2011/00000040/00000005/art00035.