Effect of Bt-cotton on chrysopids, ladybird beetles and their prey: aphids and whiteflies.
Mellet MA, Schoeman AS (2007). Indian J Exp Biol. Jun;45(6):554-62..
This paper is relevant to the Agronomic, and Environmental categories in the following areas:
| Crops: | Cotton |
| Traits: | Insect Resistance, and Insect Res. (BT) |
| Countries: | South Africa |
| Regions: | Africa |
| ImpactAreas: | Agronomic, and Environmental |
Abstract or Summary:
The effect of Bt-cotton, i.e. genetically modified cotton that contain genes expressing delta-endotoxin, on aphid, whitefly, chrysopid and coccinellid populations was determined with a two-year field study at a cotton farm near Marble Hall, South Africa. Although Bt-cotton is lepidopteran specific, non-lepidopteran arthropod populations may be indirectly influenced by the endotoxin. Abundance of aphid, whitefly, chrysopid and coccinellid populations and predator-prey interactions were used as measures to determine possible effects on the populations under investigation. The cultivation of Bt-cotton had no effect on aphid, whitefly, chrysopid or coccinellid abundance. Positive density dependent interactions occurred between aphids and coccinellids which were not influenced by Bt-cotton. A significant relationship between whitefly and coccinellid abundance, i.e. predator-prey reaction, occurred in the control and sprayed non-Bt cotton fields but was absent from the Bt-cotton fields.
Download Effect of Bt-cotton on chrysopids, ladybird beetles and their prey: aphids and whiteflies. (held on an external server, and so may require additional authentication details)
CropLife International fully acknowledges the source and authors of the publication as detailed above.
Related Papers
- Bt maize expressing Cry3Bb1 does not harm the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, or its ladybird beetle predator, Stethorus punctillumLi Y, Romeis J2009
- Feeding, oviposition and survival of Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on Bt and non-Bt cottonsLei z, Liu TX Greenberg SM2009
- Diversity and abundance of flower-visiting insects in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields of Maputaland (KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa)Hofs J-L, SchoemanaAS, Pierrea J2008
- Reproductive Biology of Two Nontarget Insect Species, Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), on Bt and non-Bt Cotton CultivarsZhang GF et al2008
- Indian Bt Cotton Varieties Do Not Affect the Performance of Cotton AphidsLawo NC, Wackers FL, Romeis J2009
