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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #104104
Title: EFFECTS OF TRANSGENIC BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS (BERLINER) MAIZE GRAIN ON BT-SUSCEPTIBLE PLODIA INTERPUNCTELLA

Author
item GILES, KRISTOPHER - OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Hellmich Ii, Richard
item IVERSON, CORT - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Lewis, Leslie

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Genetically-engineered (or transgenic) maize plants have a high level of resistance to European corn borer larvae. These plants are popular with growers because of yield protection and reduced chemical usage. This study focused on the effects field-produced grain from transgenic and nontransgen maize hybrids have on the Indianmeal moth, a common pest of stored grains. Grain from sixteen varieties of maize were tested. Indianmeal moth larvae development was delayed and survivorship reduced in three of the five type of transgenic maize. Moth development and survivorship was unaffected with types of transgenic maize grain and nontransgenic controls. This information will be useful for stakeholders (scientists, companies that produce these plants, producers, and consumers) interested in prolonging the value of transgenic plants.

Technical Abstract: The percentage survivorship, developmental time, adult body length and sex ratio of Plodia interpunctella reared on field-produced grain from sixteen maize cultivars, including several transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) hybrids and selected nonBt isolines, were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Compared with isolines, development was delayed and survivorship reduced for P. interpunctella reared on grain from transgenic hybrids with the CaMV/35s promoter that express Cry1Ab toxin. Similarly, compared with nonBt hybrids, a transgenic hybrid with the CaMV/35s promoter that expresses Cry9c toxin delayed development, decreased survivorship, and caused reductions in adult body length of P. interpunctella. In contrast, no significant differences in P. interpunctella developmental times or survivorship were observed between transgenic hybrids with the PEPC promoter expressing Cry1Ab and their isolines. Additionally, developmental time, survivorship, and adult body length were similar between P. interpunctella reared on a transgenic hybrid with the CaMV/35s promoter expressing Cry1Ac and nonBt hybrids. Our data demonstrate that transgenic Bt-maize grain, especially grain from hybrids with the CaMV/35s promoter expressing Cry1Ab, can significantly affect Bt-susceptible P. interpunctella populations 4-5 months after harvest.