转cry1Ab/1Ac,cry1C,cry2A基因水稻对田间稻纵卷叶螟及其捕食类天敌的影响

在转Bt基因水稻商业化之前需要评价其对靶标害虫及其天敌的影响.本研究连续2年在3个地点调查了3种转Bt水稻材料和非转基因水稻田间稻纵卷叶螟为害情况,稻纵卷叶螟及其4种捕食类天敌的种群密度、相对丰富度和种群动态.结果表明,水稻材料对卷叶率和稻纵卷叶螟幼虫种群密度有显著影响.非转基因水稻田间卷叶率显著高于3种转Bt基因水稻田.在调查期间,不同地点3种非转基因水稻田间稻纵卷叶螟幼虫的种群密度以及它在植食类功能团内的相对丰富度均显著高于3种转Bt基因水稻田.水稻材料、水稻材料×调查日期、水稻材料×调查年份、水稻材料×调查日期×调查年份对稻纵卷叶螟幼虫的种群动态均有显著影响.但是,3种转Bt基因水稻材料和非转基因水稻田间4种捕食类天敌的相对丰富度、种群密度以及种群动态基本没有显著差异.从上述结果可推论,转Bt基因水稻中的Bt蛋白能明显抑制稻纵卷叶螟的发生,但对4种捕食类天敌没有显著影响.     

Bt水稻对田间非靶标害虫种群动态的影响

以转cry1Ab/cry1Ac基因水稻汕优63(以下简称汕优63/Bt)为材料,亲本汕优63(以下简称汕优63/CK)为对照,在田间自然感虫条件下研究汕优63/Bt对稻田几种非靶标害虫种群消长动态的影响。结果表明,汕优63/Bt上稻苞虫Pelopidas mathias(Fabricius)和稻眉眼蝶Mycalesis gotamaMoore幼虫数量都显著低于对照品种,但汕优63/Bt对稻苞虫的毒性强于稻眉眼蝶。汕优63/Bt上稻飞虱(白背飞虱Sogatellafurcifera(Horvath)和褐飞虱Nilaparvatalugens(Stal))混合种群数量通常与对照品种基本一致,在少数调查时间显著高于对照品种。相反,除少数调查时间与对照品种没有显著差异外,稻叶蝉(黑尾叶蝉Nephotettixcincticeps(Uhler)和二点黑尾叶蝉N.viriscens(Distant))混合种群数量通常显著高于对照品种。稻飞虱和叶蝉成为汕优63/Bt上的主要害虫。     

广西兴安转Bt水稻大田两迁害虫发生动态

以转Bt水稻华恢1号(Cry1Ac/ CryAb融合基因型,简称HH1)及其对照亲本明恢63(简称MH63)稻田两迁害虫稻纵卷叶螟和白背飞虱为研究对象,系统研究转基因抗虫水稻种植下两迁害虫的发生规律及其致害力差异.结果表明:转Bt水稻及其对照亲本上稻纵卷叶螟的落卵量和幼虫发生量无显著差异,但转Bt水稻的卷叶株率和卷叶率都显著低于对照亲本.表明转Bt水稻对靶标害虫稻纵卷叶螟具有较高抗性.转Bt水稻及对照亲本上白背飞虱若虫、成虫及整个种群的发生动态差异不显著,且转Bt水稻对长翅型和短翅型成虫的种群发生影响也不显著.白背飞虱发生高峰期,转Bt水稻上若虫及短翅型成虫发生量均明显高于对照亲本;相反,转Bt水稻上长翅型成虫发生量明显低于对照亲本,且水稻生育后期长翅型成虫雌性比明显低于对照亲本.转Bt水稻大面积商业化种植下其非靶标害虫白背飞虱的发生危害变得更为复杂.     

转基因水稻表达的Bt蛋白对拟环纹豹蛛(Pardosa pseudoannulata)生长发育的影响

为明确转基因水稻表达的Bt蛋白沿捕食性食物链的传递及其对生态系统中较高营养级生物的影响,在实验条件下(28±0.5 ℃,R.H=80%,L∶D=12h∶12h)以田间优势自然天敌拟环纹豹蛛为对象,以取食转Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac基因水稻汕优63(简称Bt水稻)叶片24 h的稻纵卷叶螟幼虫为猎物饲养拟环纹豹蛛,并测定了...     

转基因水稻Bt汕优63种植两年对土壤线虫群落的影响

通过连续2年的大田试验,对转基因水稻Bt汕优63(BtSY63)及其亲本汕优63(SY63)种植下大田土壤线虫数量、营养类群组成、生态指标和群落组成进行对比分析.结果表明:BtSY63和SY63种植下土壤线虫数量均随种植时间发生明显波动,但两者间无显著差异;与SY63相比,BtSY63种植下捕杂食线虫百分比和Shannon多样性指数出现了短暂的增加,但仅在个别时间差异显著;非度量多变量排序(nMDS)分析表明,BtSY63和SY63种植下土壤线虫群落组成无显著差异.可见,大田BtSY63种植2年对土壤线虫群落的影响不显著.     

转Bt水稻土壤跳虫群落组成及其数量变化

以转Bt水稻恢复系"克螟稻"(Cry1Ab纯合基因型)和"华恢1号"(Cry1Ab+Cry1Ac融合基因型)以及融合基因型转Bt水稻杂交系"Bt汕忧63",及其对照亲本水稻"秀水11"、"明恢63"和"汕优63"稻田土壤跳虫类群为对象,系统研究转Bt水稻种植下土壤跳虫群落组成及其数量动态变化,以评价不同基因型和不同育种品系转Bt水稻种植下稻田土壤生态安全性。结果表明,转Bt水稻种植导致土壤跳虫个别稀有类群的消失,并显著影响半土生和真土生类群以及土壤跳虫总量,但对群落多样性、均匀度和种类丰富度等影响不显著。与对照亲本相比,Cry1Ab转Bt稻田半土生类群和土壤跳虫总量及其种类丰富度指标显著增加了54.7%、44.4%和26.7%;Cry1Ab+Cry1Ac转Bt杂交稻田球角跳属百分比和真土生跳虫数量显著增加了212.3%和180.4%。就恢复系处理而言,与Cry1Ab转Bt水稻相比,Cry1Ab+Cry1Ac转Bt水稻种植导致棘跳属、球角跳属和原等跳属百分比以及半土生跳虫数量分别显著降低了62.1%、56.7%、61.8%和43.4%,同时,显著提高了裔符跳属百分比达88.2%。就Cry1Ab+Cry1Ac融合基因型转Bt水稻而言,与恢复系相比,转Bt杂交稻种植导致球角跳属和原等跳属百分比,半土生类群和土壤跳虫总量及其种类丰富度和群落多样性显著增加了312.9%和171.6%,302.4%和233.2%,以及54.0%和26.7%,同时,显著降低了裔符跳属百分比达65.5%。     

虫压胁迫对抗虫转基因水稻生长发育及产量性状的影响

在大田条件下,以转基因抗虫水稻Bt63、R1和R2及非转基因水稻汕优63(对照)为材料,设置高、低两种虫压环境条件,研究虫压胁迫对转Bt抗虫基因水稻生长发育及产量相关性状的影响.结果表明： 抗虫水稻在虫压胁迫条件下可充分体现出外源基因的抗性特点.在高虫压条件下,3种转Bt基因水稻受螟虫危害程度远低于对照植株,株高、分蘖数、地上部鲜质量、穗长、穗质量、单株穗数、单株实粒数、实粒质量、结实率、千粒重等生长发育和产量指标均高于对照,但仅株高、分蘖数和穗长3个指标与对照有显著差异.因此,抗虫外源Bt基因的引入对水稻结实性不会产生负面效应,高虫压胁迫条件对抗虫转基因水稻产量的影响较小.     

转Bt水稻对捕食性天敌黑肩绿盲蝽种群动态的影响

【目的】为研究转Bt水稻对其非靶标害虫稻飞虱的主要捕食性天敌黑肩绿盲蝽Cyrtorhinus lividipennis种群发生动态的影响。【方法】本研究以cry1Ac/cry1Ab融合基因型转Bt抗虫水稻"华恢1号"及其对照亲本"明恢63"为供试水稻,于2011、2012和2013连续3年在广西兴安县"转基因水稻试验基地"开展大田试验。【结果】与对照亲本稻田相比,转Bt水稻稻田黑肩绿盲蝽种群发生量有增加趋势,且在2012年出现极显著差异。此外,就被捕食者褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens和白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera而言,无论在水稻品种,年份还是两者交互作用之间都存在极显著差异;而就两种稻飞虱总量而言,只在不同年份间存在极显著差异,在水稻品种及两者交互作用间不存在显著性差异。进一步通过相关分析表明,2011—2013连续3年黑肩绿盲蝽与褐飞虱、白背飞虱和两者总虫量之间均存在极显著正相关关系。【结论】转Bt水稻稻田捕食性天敌黑肩绿盲蝽的数量较大,这与非靶标害虫褐飞虱和白背飞虱种群发生量较大有关。     

转Bt基因稻谷对印度谷螟生长发育的影响

为建立仓储阶段转Bt水稻安全性评价中靶标害虫抗性汰选研究体系,配制了含不同比例(70%,50%,30%,10%)转Bt基因(Cry1Ab/Cry1Abc)明辉63水稻谷粉(简称Bt谷粉)的人工饲料饲喂印度谷螟Plodia interpunctella(Hübner),测定其对1～3龄幼虫在72h内的急性毒力,及对印度谷螟种群生长发育的影响,并采用ELISA法检测转基因稻谷和末龄幼虫体内Bt蛋白含量。结果发现:4种比例人工饲料对幼虫的毒力作用均发生在取食48h后,72h后剂量效应明显。含Bt水稻较高比例的饲料对印度谷螟发育的负面效应明显:幼虫死亡率高,发育历期延长。Bt蛋白在幼虫体内含量与对应饲料中的含量基本成正比。综合考虑,将Bt杀虫蛋白含量2.35μg/g作为转Bt基因稻谷对印度谷螟的亚致死剂量最为合适。     

转Bt水稻对土壤可溶性有机碳氮及微生物学性质的影响

研究了3种转Bt水稻［克螟稻（KMD）、华恢1号（HH1）和Bt汕优63（BtSY63）］及对应亲本在2年大田条件下对土壤可溶性有机碳（DOC）和可溶性有机氮（DON）及微生物学性质的影响.结果表明：测定指标均随采样时间发生显著变化.与对应亲本相比,转Bt水稻对土壤DOC、DON和微生物生物量氮（MBN）的影响不显著,而对土壤微生物生物量碳（MBC）、基础呼吸（BR）和微生物代谢熵（qCO₂）的影响在大田种植第1年某些时段达到显著水平（P<0.05）,但这种影响没有持续到第2年;3种亲本水稻土壤DOC、DON及微生物学性质差异均不显著,但相应转Bt水稻土壤MBC、BR、qCO₂差异显著,BtSY63土壤MBC和BR显著高于KMD及HH1,而qCO₂显著低于KMD及HH1.转Bt水稻2年的大田种植对土壤DOC和DON及微生物学性质的影响较小,但3种转Bt水稻之间微生物学性质的差异比亲本之间的差异大,表明长期监测可能有助于发现转Bt水稻对土壤生态系统结构和功能的影响.     

Effect of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis rice lines on mortality and feeding behavior of rice stem borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Ten transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis Bt rice, Oryza sativa L., lines with different Bt genes (two Cry1Ac lines, three Cry2A lines, and five Cry9C lines) derived from the same variety Minghui 63 were evaluated in both the laboratory and the field. Bioassays were conducted by using the first instars of two main rice lepidopteran insect species: yellow stem borer, Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker) and Asiatic rice borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker). All transgenic lines exhibited high toxicity to these two rice borers. Field evaluation results also showed that all transgenic lines were highly insect resistant with both natural infestation and manual infestation of the neonate larvae of S. incertulas compared with the nontransformed Minghui63. Bt protein concentrations in leaves of 10 transgenic rice lines were estimated by the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cry9C gene had the highest expression level, next was cry2A gene, and the cry1Ac gene expressed at the lowest level. The feeding behavior of 7-d-old Asiatic rice borer to three classes of Bt transgenic rice lines also was detected by using rice culm cuttings. The results showed that 7-d-old larvae of Asiatic rice borer have the capacity to distinguish Bt and non-Bt culm cuttings and preferentially fed on non-Bt cuttings. When only Bt culm cuttings with three classes of different Bt proteins (CrylAc, Cry2A, and Cry9C) were fed, significant distribution difference of 7-d-old Asiatic rice borer in culm cuttings of different Bt proteins also was found. In the current study, we evaluate different Bt genes in the same rice variety in both the laboratory and the field, and also tested feeding behavior of rice insect to these Bt rice. These data are valuable for the further development of two-toxin Bt rice and establishment of appropriate insect resistance management in the future.     

Effects of bacillus thuringiensis transgenic corn on corn earworm and fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) densities

We examined 17 pairs of near-isogenic hybrids of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (176, Mon810, and Bt11) and non-Bt corn, Zea mays L., to examine the effects of Bt on larval densities of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) during 2 yr. During ear formation, instar densities of H. zea and S. frugiperda were recorded for each hybrid. We found that H. zea first, second, and fifth instar densities were each affected by Mon810 and Bt11 Bt corn but not by 176 corn. Surprisingly, first and second instars were found in higher numbers on ears of Mon810 and Bt11 corn than on non-Bt corn. Densities of third and fourth instars were equal on Bt and non-Bt hybrids, whereas densities of fifth instars were lower on Bt plants. S. frugiperda larval densities were only affected during 1 yr when second, and fourth to sixth instars were lower on ears of Mon810 and Bt11 hybrids compared with their non-Bt counterparts. Two likely explanations for early instar H. zea densities being higher on Bt corn than non-Bt corn are that (1) Bt toxins delay development, creating a greater abundance of early instars that eventually die, and (2) reduced survival of H. zea to later instars on Bt corn decreased the normal asymmetric cannibalism or H. zea-S. frugiperda intraguild predation of late instars on early instars. Either explanation could explain why differences between Bt and non-Bt plants were greater for H. zea than S. frugiperda, because H. zea is more strongly affected by Bt toxins and more cannibalistic.     

Cannibalism of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic corn versus non-Bt corn

Because of the importance of cannibalism in population regulation of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn, Zea mays L., it is useful to understand the interactions between Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic corn and cannibalism. To determine the effects of Bt corn on cannibalism in H. zea, pairs of the same or different instars were taken from Bt or non-Bt corn and placed on artificial diet in proximity. Cannibalism occurred in 91% of pairs and was approximately 7% greater for pairs of larvae reared from Bt transgenic corn (95%) than from non-Bt corn (88%). Also, first instar by first instar pairs had a lower rate of cannibalism than other pairs. Time until cannibalism was not different for larvae from Bt corn versus non-Bt corn. Pupation rate of cannibals and surviving victims was not different for pairs from Bt corn versus non-Bt corn. Finally, cannibalism increased pupation rate of cannibals from both Bt and non-Bt corn by approximately 23 and 12%, respectively, although the increases were not significant. Thus, negative effects of Bt on larvae were compensated by increased cannibalism in comparison with larvae reared on non-Bt corn, which increased larval survival to levels comparable with larvae reared on non-Bt plants.     

Transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Rice Is Safer to Aquatic Ecosystems than Its Non-Transgenic Counterpart

Rice lines genetically modified with the crystal toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have experienced rapid development, with biosafety certificates for two Bt rice lines issued in 2009. There has still been no commercial release of these lines yet due to public concerns about human health and environmental risks. Some studies confirmed that Bt rice was as safe as conventional rice to non-target organisms when pesticides were not applied, however, pesticides are still required in Bt rice to control non-lepidopteran pests. In this study, we assessed the environmental effects of two Bt rice lines expressing either the cry1Ab/1Ac or cry2A genes, respectively, by using zooplanktons as indicator species under normal field management practices using pesticides when required. In the whole rice growing season, non-Bt rice was sprayed 5 times while Bt rice was sprayed 2 times, which ensured both rice achieved a normal yield. Field investigations showed that rice type (Bt and non-Bt) significantly influenced zooplankton abundance and diversity, which were up to 95% and 80% lower in non-Bt rice fields than Bt rice fields. Laboratory rearing showed that water from non-Bt rice fields was significantly less suitable for the survival and reproduction of Daphnia magna and Paramecium caudatum in comparison with water from Bt rice fields. Higher pesticide residues were detected in the water from non-Bt than Bt rice fields, accounting for the bad performance of zooplankton in non-Bt field water. Our results demonstrate that Bt rice is safer to aquatic ecosystems than non-Bt rice, and its commercialization will be beneficial for biodiversity restoration in rice-based ecosystems.     

转Bt基因玉米对甜菜夜蛾幼虫存活和发育的影响

在室内测定了2种转Cry1Ab基因的Bt玉米MON810和Bt11不同组织对甜菜夜蛾 Spodoptera exigua （Hübner）初孵幼虫以及心叶对4龄幼虫存活和发育的影响,在田间比较了甜菜夜蛾幼虫取食Bt 和非Bt玉米雌穗的存活和为害情况。结果表明,转Cry1Ab基因的Bt玉米的不同组织对甜菜夜蛾初孵幼虫都具有明显的杀虫活性,取食Bt玉米心叶、苞叶、籽粒时甜菜夜蛾均在幼虫期死亡; 取食MON810和Bt11雄穗的初孵幼虫化蛹率分别为5.2%和2.1%,羽化率为2.1%和1.0%;取食MON810和Bt11花丝的初孵幼虫化蛹率分别为1.0%和2.1%,但不能羽化。4龄幼虫取食MON810玉米心叶的化蛹率与对照差异不显著,而取食Bt11的化蛹率与对照差异显著; 取食两种Bt玉米心叶的４龄幼虫化蛹后的雌、雄蛹重和羽化率与对照组差异显著,但蛹期和平均单雌产卵量差异不显著,虽然对照组羽化的成虫平均产卵量高于Bt玉米组。田间接种初孵幼虫10 天后的调查结果表明,在MON810和Bt11玉米花丝上幼虫存活率分别为1.3%和0.3%, 而对照组分别为12.9%和16.2%;MON810和Bt11玉米雌穗被害率分别为18.3%和5.0%,而对照组分别为93.3%和95.0%,均显著低于对照组。     

Field efficacy of sweet corn hybrids expressing a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin for management of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Field studies were done in 1995-1996 to assess the efficacy of three sweet corn hybrids that express the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin, CrylAb, against two lepidopteran pests, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). The Bt hybrids tested were developed by Novartis Seeds, using the event BT-11, which expresses Bt toxin in green tissue as well as reproductive tissues including the tassel, silk, and kernel. Bt hybrids were compared with a standard non-Bt control or the non-Bt isoline for each hybrid; none of the hybrids were treated with insecticides during the study. Hybrid efficacy was based on larval control of each pest, as well as plant or ear damage associated with each pest. In both years, control of O. nubilalis larvae in primary ears of all Bt hybrids was 99-100% compared with the appropriate non-Bt check. Plant damage was also significantly reduced in all Bt hybrids. In 1996, control of H. zea in Bt hybrids ranged from 85 to 88% when compared with the appropriate non-Bt control. In 1996, a University of Minnesota experimental non-Bt hybrid (MN2 x MN3) performed as well as the Bt hybrids for control of O. nubilalis. Also, in 1996, two additional University of Minnesota experimental non-Bt hybrids (A684su X MN94 and MN2 X MN3) performed as well as Bt hybrids for percent marketable ears (ears with no damage or larvae). In addition, compared with the non-Bt hybrids, percent marketable ears were significantly higher for all Bt hybrids and in most cases ranged from 98 to 100%. By comparison, percent marketable ears for the non-Bt hybrids averaged 45.5 and 37.4% in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Results from the 2-yr study strongly suggest that Bt sweet corn hybrids will provide high levels of larval control for growers in both fresh and processing markets. Specifically, Bt sweet corn hybrids, in the absence of conventional insecticide use, provided excellent control of O. nubilalis, and very good control of H. zea. However, depending on location of specific production regions, and the associated insect pests of sweet corn in each area, some insecticide applications may still be necessary.     

Resistance of transgenic rice events (rbcS:cry1Ac) against three lepidopteran rice pests

The transgenic rice expressing cry1Ac gene, which is linked to the rice rbcS promoter and its transit peptide sequence (tp), was highly resistant against all instars of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenetée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). In this study, we evaluated the larval mortality, behavior change, and field occurrence of three main rice pests, C. medinalis, Naranga aenescens (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Parnara guttata (Bremer & Grey) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) in T4 generations of three Bt rice events (rbcS3:cry1Ac; 608102, 608104 and 608107) and non-Bt rice. All of the three Bt rice events were resistant to C. medinalis which showed significantly higher mortality for all instars compared to non-Bt rice. The resistance of Bt rice events against the larvae decreased gradually as the larvae developed. However, the survived larvae which ingested Bt rice events died eventually without further development. The resistance of three Bt rice events was investigated in the pot test, which was conducted with 3rd instars of C. medinalis, N. aenescens, and P. guttata, showed mortalities of over 70%. In behavioral assay, C. medinalis fed on the Bt rice events showed feeding avoidance and less leaf rolling behavior compared to that of the larvae fed on non-Bt rice. A 2-yr field survey conducted with larvae of C. medinalis and P. guttata also showed that the three Bt rice events significantly had lower damaged on leaves compared to that of non-Bt rice. Overall, the three Bt rice events were highly resistant to the larvae of lepidopteran target rice pests.     

Dusky sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) and other kernel damaging insects in Bt and non-Bt sweet corn in Illinois

Bt and non-Bt sweet corn hybrids (Rogers 'Empire' Bt and non-Bt, respectively) were compared for distribution of kernel damaging insect pests in central Illinois in 1998 and 1999. The occurrence and damage by caterpillars [primarily Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)] were reduced by at least 80% in each year for the Bt compared with the non-Bt hybrid. However, the incidence of sap beetle adults (primarily Carpophilus lugubris Murray) was higher, and larvae, lower for the Bt versus non-Bt in 1999. The incidence of ears with more than five kernels damaged by sap beetles was higher for the Bt compared with non-Bt hybrid in 1998 (13.8 versus 5.5%), but nearly equivalent in 1999 (15.3 versus 15.1%, respectively). Distribution of predators on plants (primarily Coccinelidae) and harvested ears (primarily Orius spp.) were not significantly different on Bt versus non-Bt hybrids. Ears with husks flush with the ear tip or with ear tips exposed had significantly higher sap beetle damage for both hybrids, and the Bt hybrids had significantly higher incidence of exposed ear tips in both years. Sap beetle numbers determined by scouting were often proportional to numbers of beetles captured in baited traps, increasing and decreasing at about the same time. However, values determined with traps were typically less variable than when scouted, and time of sampling was typically four times more rapid for each trap than for each 10 plant scout sample when measured in 1999.     

Toxicological assessment of pollen from different bt rice lines on Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombyxidae)

The relative toxicity of Bt rice pollen to domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), was assessed by a leaf-dip bioassay under laboratory conditions. Silkworm first instars were sensitive to pollen from Bt rice lines, B1 and KMD1, but were not sensitive to pollen from Bt rice line TT9-3. First instars were 1.34-2.12 times more sensitive to B1 pollen than older instars. Bioassays of subacute toxicity under a worst-case scenario suggested that continuous exposure to a sublethal dose of B1 pollen or equivalent doses of non-Bt rice pollen affected silkworm survival and development. Young larvae were more affected by continuous exposure to Bt pollen than older larvae but less affected by non-Bt pollen. Ultrastructural observations showed that Cry proteins associated with Bt pollen were released into the larval lumen and resulted in pathological midgut changes and negative impacts on silkworm survival and development. However, considering that the sublethal dose of Bt pollen (LC15) used in this study is equivalent to the highest detected density of rice pollen on mulberry leaf under field conditions and that the likelihood of such high density of rice pollen occurring in the fields is extremely low, we suggest that the risk of Bt rice pollen on silkworm rearing is negligible.     

Orientation Behavior,Development and Survival of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae on Cotton Expressing Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab and Conventional Cotton

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Bt cotton leaves (Bollgard II), non-Bt cotton leaves, and a mixture of Bt+non-Bt cotton leaves on larval orientation behavior, survival and development of Trichoplusia ni in the laboratory. Results indicate that in a no-choice test, more first and fifth instars remained on Bt leaves than the third instars. All larvae that remained on the leaves gradually moved to leaf edge. In the choice between a Bt and a non-Bt leaf, more first instars moved to non-Bt leaves, whereas the third and fifth instars did not show significant difference in the first 8 h, but eventually more moved to non-Bt leaves. More first instars fed non-Bt leaves than third instars and fifth instars. When larvae fed Bt leaves, 100% of first instars, 92.7% of third instars and 51.1% of fifth instars died in 108 h. Once larvae pupated, >90% developed to adults. First and third instars that fed Bt leaves developed slower but their pupae developed faster than those on Bt+non-Bt leaves, whereas fifth instars developed similar on the three types of leaves. First and third instars that fed Bt+non-Bt leaves resulted in less heavy pupae than those fed non-Bt leaves; whereas the fifth instars that survived on Bt leaves produced lighter pupae.