取食针叶的桃蛀螟越冬状况调查和生物学特性

结合林间调查和室内饲养,观察、记录取食针叶的桃蛀螟Conogethes punctiferalis（Guen6e）冬状况和生物学特性。结果表明：幼虫吐丝将嫩梢针叶缀合成虫苞,以3～4龄幼虫在虫苞内越冬。松树的有虫梢率为7．6％,每梢虫数为3。16头,平均8．5头。桃蛀螟幼虫期和蛹期的死亡率总和为26．06％,雌雄性比为2：3。越冬代桃蛀螟蛹重、蛹长和蛹宽的平均值分别为75．1mg、13．42和3．39mm。成虫多在22时～8时羽化,羽化率为92．22％。成虫始盛期为5月8日,高峰期为5月11日,盛末期为5月15日。补充营养对成虫寿命有显著的影响,饲喂水、10％蜂蜜水、10％糖醋液均能提高成虫寿命。在室内用清水、10％蜂蜜水和10％糖醋液饲养,成虫寿命的差异不显著。     

不同寄主植物对小地老虎生长发育和保护酶活性的影响

通过室内饲养和生物化学测定,研究了白菜(Brassica campestris ssp.Pekinensis)、大豆(Glycine max Merrill)和玉米(Zea mays L.)3种寄主植物的营养差异及对小地老虎Agrotis ypsilon(Rottemberg)幼虫发育、成虫产卵、成活率及6龄幼虫体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力的影响。结果表明:供试3种寄主植物的可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖和含水量差异显著。与取食玉米和白菜的个体相比,取食大豆的小地老虎幼虫历期、蛹期较短,分别为43.02 d和11.87 d;雌虫成虫寿命最长,为15.92 d;单雌产卵量最高,为936.67粒。但后代卵的孵化率以取食玉米的最低。取食3种寄主植物的幼虫和蛹的成活率由高到低依次为取食大豆>取食白菜>取食玉米。幼虫体内CAT活力没有显著差异,但SOD、POD活力由高到低依次为取食大豆>取食白菜>取食玉米。     

幼虫密度对马铃薯块茎蛾生殖的影响

[目的]为了研究马铃薯块茎蛾Phthorimaea operculella(Zeller)幼虫的饲养密度对生殖的影响。[方法]本实验研究并比较了两种幼虫密度(15头/130 g块茎、45头/130 g块茎)的马铃薯块茎蛾成虫按照1:5和1:1比例交配后代的产卵量、畸形卵率、孵化率、化蛹率、羽化率、性比等生物学参数。[结果]高幼虫密度饲养的马铃薯块茎蛾化蛹率、羽化率、存活率、性比均显著较低,而幼虫~蛹的历期显著短于正常幼虫密度的。两种密度成虫按1:5头配对产卵,若雄性亲本为高幼虫密度饲养则卵的孵化率显著较低,若雌性亲本为高幼虫密度饲养则产卵量较低,畸形卵率显著较高。两种密度雌雄虫均为5头进行配对时,正常幼虫密度雌虫其所产卵的畸形率显著较低,产卵量、卵孵化率均显著较高,后代幼虫历期、化蛹率显著较高。而高幼虫密度雌虫其所产卵则受雄虫影响,亲代为高密度雄虫则畸形率较低,孵化率较高。[结论]高幼虫密度饲养的雄、雌虫生殖活力均降低。高幼虫密度雌虫可受高幼虫密度雄虫的诱导提高生殖能力,并影响其后代性比从而调节其种群动态。     

营养和幼期密度对棉铃虫飞翔能力的影响

采自棉花、玉米、花生、绿豆和芝麻5种作物上的棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hubner),其飞翔能力依次为：棉花和玉米>花生>绿豆和芝麻。对室内利用人工饲料、棉铃、棉蕾和棉叶饲养的棉铃虫吊飞表明,取食人工饲料和棉铃的个体的飞翔能力数倍于取食棉叶者。成虫体重越大,飞翔能力越强。获得补充营养个体的飞翔距离是无补充营养者的2倍左右。本试验还研究了食物质量对棉铃虫卵巢发育的影响,结果显示成虫期的补充营养明显影响幼期营养较差个体的卵巢发育进程。对不同幼虫密度下发育个体的吊飞则表明成虫的飞翔能力和幼期密度关系不大。鉴于较差的营养条件和较高的幼期密度并不导致成虫飞翔能力的增加,本文认为,棉铃虫的远距离运动是成虫对羽化阶段不良环境的行为反应。     

瓜蚜寄主植物对多异瓢虫捕食功能反应的影响

本研究比较了瓜蚜Aphis gossypii Glover 5种主要寄主植物对多异瓢虫Hippodamia variegta(Goeze)捕食功能反应的影响。结果表明,瓜蚜寄主植物对多异瓢虫功能反应有显著的影响。在大多数猎物密度下, 1~3龄幼虫对南瓜和黄瓜上瓜蚜的捕食量较瓢葫芦和哈密瓜上的高;在蚜虫密度较低时（≤ 50头/皿）,4龄幼虫和成虫对南瓜和黄瓜上瓜蚜的捕食量较高,而蚜虫密度≥ 70头/皿时,对瓢葫芦和搅瓜上瓜蚜的捕食量较高。多异瓢虫各龄幼虫和成虫对5种寄主植物上瓜蚜的功能反应均符合Holling II反应。随着瓢虫龄期的增大,猎物处理时间缩短,瞬时攻击率增大,最大捕食量增加。多异瓢虫成虫处理猎物的时间较长于4龄幼虫,而瞬时攻击率和最大捕食量小于4龄幼虫。多异瓢虫捕食不同寄主植物上饲养的瓜蚜时,猎物处理时间、瞬时攻击率和最大捕食量不同。     

幼虫密度对美国白蛾生活史参数的影响

美国白蛾Hyphantria cunea原产于北美地区,1979年首次在我国辽宁省丹东地区发现,目前已扩散至江苏省南京市等地区,并有进一步扩散的趋势。由于其寄主范围广,适应能力强,危害严重,因此给我国林业生产造成了重大损失。美国白蛾1~4龄幼虫常聚集危害,4龄后开始破网分散危害。本文旨在探明幼虫密度变化对其生活史参数的影响,为解析美国白蛾种群动态变化规律提供科学依据。于温度25℃±1℃和光周期16 L∶8 D条件下,设置5头、10头、20头、40头和80头幼虫/容器5个密度处理组,待幼虫化蛹和成虫羽化后,分别检测幼虫龄期与成活率、蛹的体型（体长和体宽）与体重及成活率、成虫体型（成虫头幅宽度、前翅长度和后足腿节长度）与寿命及繁殖力等生活史参数。结果表明,幼虫密度增加缩短了幼虫发育历期,同时降低了幼虫成活率。幼虫密度增加对蛹重、蛹长、雌蛹宽度及蛹成活率有明显的负效应,但对雄蛹宽度无显著影响。幼虫密度增加对雌虫头幅宽度、雌虫繁殖力、成虫寿命与卵直径具明显负面影响,对雄虫头幅宽度与雌虫前翅长度无显著影响,对成虫后足腿节长度、雄虫前翅长度则具正面影响。因此,本研究表明幼虫密度对美国白蛾不同阶段的生活史参数具调控作用,其中幼虫密度增加对幼虫成活率、蛹的体型与体重及成活率、雌虫繁殖力与卵直径及成虫寿命的负面影响对其种群适合度可能是不利的;然而,成虫对幼虫密度增加会采取一定的适应策略,高密度条件下羽化的成虫具较长的后足腿节与前翅长度以提高其迁移扩散半径,有助于减轻子代种内竞争压力,进而提高种群适合度。     

幼虫密度对草地螟生长发育及繁殖的影响

为了明确幼虫密度对草地螟Loxostege sticticalis种群增长的影响, 对室内条件下（温度22±1℃, RH 70%±5%, 光周期16L∶ 8D）不同幼虫密度[1, 10, 20, 30和40头/瓶（650 mL）］饲养的草地螟生长发育及繁殖进行了研究。结果表明: 幼虫密度对草地螟幼虫体色、 发育历期和存活率, 以及蛹重和成虫生殖等有显著影响。随着幼虫密度的增加, 幼虫体色黑化程度呈增强趋势, 幼虫密度大于10头/瓶时的体色黑化值均显著大于幼虫密度为1头/瓶时的体色黑化值（P<0.05）。20头/瓶的幼虫和蛹历期最短, 且随幼虫密度的增加而显著延长（P<0.05）。幼虫存活率以10头/瓶最高, 其他幼虫密度的幼虫存活率显著较低（P<0.05）。蛹重以1头/瓶的最重, 并随幼虫密度增加而显著下降（P<0.05）。成虫产卵量和交配率分别以1和20头/瓶的幼虫密度最高, 幼虫密度升高则产卵量、 交配率逐渐降低。成虫产卵历期随着幼虫密度的增加逐渐缩短。雌、 雄蛾寿命分别以10和20头/瓶幼虫密度时最长, 幼虫密度过高时雌雄蛾寿命又显著缩短（P<0.05）。生命表分析表明, 幼虫密度对草地螟种群增长指数有显著影响, 以10头/瓶幼虫密度的种群增长指数最高, 幼虫密度过高或过低时种群增长指数下降。据此认为, 幼虫密度是影响草地螟种群增长的重要因子之一。     

幼虫密度对桑螟生长发育和繁殖的影响

【目的】本研究旨在了解桑螟Diaphania pyloalis幼虫不同饲养密度对其生长发育和繁殖的影响。【方法】本研究测定了室内同一条件下5个幼虫密度(130, 650, 1 300, 1 950和2 600头/m²)下桑螟生长发育和繁殖指标,包括发育历期、幼虫存活率、化蛹率、成虫羽化率、蛹重、产卵期、单雌产卵量等。【结果】幼虫密度对桑螟的生长发育和繁殖均产生不同程度影响,幼虫密度偏低或偏高都不利于桑螟生长发育和繁殖。其中以1 300和1 950头/m² 2种幼虫密度下的桑螟幼虫生长发育和成虫繁殖状态均最佳且两密度下各项指标无明显差异,1 300头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.32, 6.33和5.31 d; 1 950头/m²密度下,桑螟的幼虫历期、蛹历期和成虫历期分别为11.50, 6.00和5.47 d。1 300头/m²幼虫密度下,桑螟化蛹率、成虫羽化率和幼虫存活率分别为86.67%, 100%和86.67%, 1 950头/m^2<...     

大气CO2浓度升高对亚洲玉米螟生长发育及繁殖的影响

大气CO2浓度升高影响寄主植物的营养而间接影响节肢动物外,还直接影响许多昆虫的生长发育和繁殖。为探讨大气CO2浓度升高对亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis(Guenée)生长发育和繁殖的影响,在CDCC-1型密闭式动态CO2气室内研究了当前大气CO2浓度375μl/L及大气CO2浓度分别升高0.5倍和1倍,即达到550μL/L和750μL/L条件下人工饲料饲养亚洲玉米螟实验种群生命表及其营养效应指标。结果表明,大气CO2浓度分别升高到550μL/L和750μL/L时,亚洲玉米螟幼虫成活率分别降低3.0%和8.9%;幼虫、蛹和成虫体重则没有显著差异;在750μL/L CO2浓度下幼虫和蛹历期分别显著延长13.1%和25.8%。虽然单雌产卵量和净增值率(R0)在大气高CO2浓度下有增加趋势,但未达到显著性差异。与当前大气CO2浓度相比,高CO2浓度下玉米螟的取食量分别增加9.1%和34.0%,排粪量分别增加42.3%和42.0%。     

幼虫密度对二点委夜蛾生长发育及繁殖的影响

【目的】在不同幼虫密度饲养条件下,研究二点委夜蛾Athetis lepigone生长发育及繁殖的情况,明确幼虫密度对该害虫的室内种群增长的影响。【方法】本实验设置5个幼虫饲养密度即1,5,10,20和30头/瓶(750 mL),分别观察5个饲养密度下该虫的各个龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况。【结果】幼虫密度对该虫幼虫各龄期及整个幼虫发育历期及存活率、蛹重、蛹期以及成虫生殖情况均有显著性影响。整个幼虫发育历期随着密度的增加而缩短,10头/瓶达到最短(18.27 d),之后随着幼虫密度的增加而显著延长;幼虫至蛹的存活率随着密度增高而显著下降,30头/瓶最低(39.37%)。蛹期随着密度的增加而延长(10头/瓶除外)。蛹重和每雌产卵量均以1头/瓶最高,随着幼虫密度的增加而显著下降。雌雄蛾寿命均以10头/瓶最长,与1和5头/瓶没有显著性差异。生命表分析显示:二点委夜蛾的种群增长指数以5头/瓶最高,幼虫密度过低或者过高均不利于种群增长。【结论】幼虫密度是影响二点委夜蛾种群增长的重要因子之一。     

Does Cry1Ac Bt‐toxin impair development of worker larvae of Africanized honey bee?

The western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is a widespread pollinator species. The present study aimed to test if Africanized honey bee larvae are negatively affected by the ingestion of diet contaminated with the Bacillus thunringiensis toxin Cry1Ac, which is expressed in GM cotton plants. The toxin activity was confirmed in bioassays with the velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis), a soybean pest species susceptible to Cry1Ac. The honey bee larvae were subjected to ingestion of either pure larval diet (control), diluted larval diet (diluted control) or larval diet diluted in a Cry1Ac solution at a concentration compatible with the maximum possible field exposure. Although diluted diet slightly increased larval mortality, Cry1Ac ingestion did not affect survival, developmental time, and neither adult body mass nor size, indicating that GM plants are unlikely to significantly impair the development of honey bee larvae. The larval‐rearing system reported here was suitable to assess the lethal and sub‐lethal effects of GM expressed toxins against honey bee larvae.     

Worker honey bee ovary development: seasonal variation and the influence of larval and adult nutrition

We examined the effect of larval and adult nutrition on worker honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) ovary development. Workers were fed high or low-pollen diets as larvae, and high or low-protein diets as adults. Workers fed low-protein diets at both life stages had the lowest levels of ovary development, followed by those fed high-protein diets as larvae and low- quality diets as adults, and then those fed diets poor in protein as larvae but high as adults. Workers fed high-protein diets at both life stages had the highest levels of ovary development. The increases in ovary development due to improved dietary protein in the larval and adult life stages were additive. Adult diet also had an effect on body mass. The results demonstrate that both carry-over of larval reserves and nutrients acquired in the adult life stage are important to ovary development in worker honey bees. Carry-over from larval development, however, appears to be less important to adult fecundity than is adult nutrition. Seasonal trends in worker ovary development and mass were examined throughout the brood rearing season. Worker ovary development was lowest in spring, highest in mid-summer, and intermediate in fall.     

Suppression of queen rearing in European and Africanized honey beesApis mellifera L. by synthetic queen mandibular gland pheromone

Summary Queen rearing is suppressed in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) by pheromones, particularly the queen's mandibular gland pheromone. In this study we compared this pheromonally-based inhibition between temperate and tropically-evolved honey bees. Colonies of European and Africanized bees were exposed to synthetic queen mandibular gland pheromone (QMP) for ten days following removal of resident queens, and their queen rearing responses were examined. Queen rearing was suppressed similarly in both European and Africanized honey bees with the addition of synthetic QMP, indicating that QMP acts on workers of both races in a comparable fashion. QMP completely suppressed queen cell production for two days, but by day six, cells containing queen larvae were present in all treated colonies, indicating that other signals play a role in the suppression of queen rearing. In queenless control colonies not treated with QMP, Africanized bees reared 30% fewer queens than Europeans, possibly due to racial differences in response to feedback from developing queens and/or their cells. Queen development rate was faster in Africanized colonies, or they selected older larvae to initiate cells, as only 1 % of queen cells were unsealed after 10 days compared with 12% unsealed cells in European colonies.     

Intraspecific competition effects on Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Two kinds of experiments were conducted with Aethina tumida Murray larvae over four temperatures: "consumption" experiments, in which larvae and diet were weighed to determine food consumption rates under conditions of unlimited food and few conspecifics; and "competition" experiments, in which varying numbers of larvae were presented with the same amount of honey and pollen diet, and larval weight at final instar was used to determine competition effects. In consumption experiments temperature, diet and their interaction all had significant effects on the ratio of larval weight to the weight of food consumed, which was higher at 24 degrees C than at any other temperature. In competition experiments, three relationships were examined and modeled: that between the number of larvae per experimental unit and the average weight of those larvae; that between average larval and adult weights; and that between average adult weight and survivorship to adult (emergence rate). An exponential decay function was fit to the relationship between number of larvae per experimental unit and their average weight. Average adult weight was linearly correlated with larval weight. Likewise, emergence rates for adults < 11.6 mg in weight were linearly correlated with adult weights, but no significant relationship was observed for heavier adults. Using these relationships, the reproductive potential for A. tumida were estimated for a frame of honey and pollen. Information on resource acquisition by A. tumida will be useful in evaluating the impact of different factors on beetle population dynamics, such as bee hygienic behavior or control strategies used by the beekeeper.     

The distribution of Paenibacillus larvae spores in adult bees and honey and larval mortality, following the addition of American foulbrood diseased brood or spore-contaminated honey in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies

Within colony transmission of Paenibacillus larvae spores was studied by giving spore-contaminated honey comb or comb containing 100 larvae killed by American foulbrood to five experimental colonies respectively. We registered the impact of the two treatments on P. larvae spore loads in adult bees and honey and on larval mortality by culturing for spores in samples of adult bees and honey, respectively, and by measuring larval survival. The results demonstrate a direct effect of treatment on spore levels in adult bees and honey as well as on larval mortality. Colonies treated with dead larvae showed immediate high spore levels in adult bee samples, while the colonies treated with contaminated honey showed a comparable spore load but the effect was delayed until the bees started to utilize the honey at the end of the flight season. During the winter there was a build up of spores in the adult bees, which may increase the risk for infection in spring. The results confirm that contaminated honey can act as an environmental reservoir of P. larvae spores and suggest that less spores may be needed in honey, compared to in diseased brood, to produce clinically diseased colonies. The spore load in adult bee samples was significantly related to larval mortality but the spore load of honey samples was not.     

Biology, rearing and field release on Guam of Euplectrus maternus, a parasitoid of the fruit-piercing moth, Eudocima fullonia

The eulophid parasitoid, Euplectrus maternus, is a gregarious ectoparasitoid of the larvae of thefruit-piercing moth, Eudocima (Othreis) fullonia. This parasitoid is indigenous to India and was released into Guam in 1998–99 to aid in the biological control of E. fullonia, an important pest of ripeguava, banana, mango, pomegranate, litchi,papaya, tomato, orange and other fruit crops.In the laboratory, biology and rearing of E. maternus on the larvae of E. fulloniawere studied. In no-choice tests, ovipositionby E. maternus was significantly greateron first and second instar larvae than on thirdinstar larvae. However, in free-choice tests,oviposition by E. maternus wassignificantly greater on second instar larvae,followed by first and third instar larvae. Thisparasitoid did not lay eggs on later instars,either in no-choice or free-choice tests.Females laid a significantly greater number ofeggs (>80%) on the dorsal surface of thelarvae than on either lateral or ventralsurfaces (1 to 8%). In general, more eggs werelaid on abdominal segments 1–3 on larvalinstars one to three. The survival of theimmature stages (from egg to adult) of E. maternus on second instar E. fullonialarvae was 61%, which was significantlygreater than the survival rates on first andthird instar larvae (32% and 26%), indicatingthat second instar host larvae are ideal formass rearing of the parasitoid. Mated femaleE. maternus continuously laid eggs on thesecond instar larvae of E. fullonia forup to 30 days, but the greatest number of eggswere laid during the first week after exposure.When E. maternus laid more than two eggson host larva, more female progeny wereproduced, indicating female-biasedreproduction. Adult parasitoids lived longerwhen fed with a honey: water (50% w/v)solution than with pure honey. Similarly, thefecundity of females increased significantlywhen fed with the honey-water solution whencompared to feeding with pure honey. To date,E. maternus has not established in Guam.     

粘虫幼虫密度对成虫能源物质含量的影响

通过粘虫Mythimna separata幼虫密度(1头/瓶、20头/瓶、40头/瓶)对成虫水分、甘油酯和糖原含量影响的研究结果。不同幼虫密度处理的初羽化成虫水分含量无明显差异,但1～5日龄40头/瓶的雄蛾及1～3日龄雌蛾高于单头处理的;20、40头/瓶的初羽化成虫甘油酯含量没有显著的差异,但均显著地高于单头饲养的;20头/瓶羽化的雌、雄成虫l～5日龄甘油酯含量随日龄的增加而增加,到5日龄达到最大值后才开始下降,40头/瓶的在3日龄达到最大值后即开始下降,而单头饲养羽化的在1日龄达到较高值,2日龄降至最低后再缓慢回升。幼虫密度对初羽化成虫及1～7日龄雄蛾的糖原含量没有显著的影响,但20、40头/瓶条件下羽化的1～7日龄雌蛾糖原含量随日龄的增加而增加,而单头饲养的则随日龄的 增加而下降。这些结果表明幼虫密度不仅影响到初羽化成虫能源物质的含量,而且也可能影响到成虫能源物质特别是甘油酯的代谢。     

异色瓢虫法国种群对豆蚜的捕食效应

异色瓢虫Harmonia axyridis(Pallas)的法国种群具有飞行能力较低的特点,在生物防治方面可能更具利用价值。为了使其更好的在田间应用,本文进行了异色瓢虫的法国种群各龄幼虫及雌、雄成虫对豆蚜的捕食功能比较研究。结果表明:各龄幼虫及雌、雄成虫对豆蚜捕食功能反应符合Holling II模型,检验各圆盘方程理论值和实测值拟合较好。同一虫态在不同空间水平对蚜虫的捕食能力有显著差异,在广口瓶处理中(较大空间),1～4龄幼虫及雌、雄成虫的最大理论捕食量分别为4.51、83.33、111.12、166.67、190及200头;不同虫期及成虫的瞬间攻击率a为3龄>4龄>雄虫>雌虫>2龄>1龄,且1龄的处理时间Th最长(0.2225);在培养皿处理中(较小空间),1～4龄幼虫及雌、雄成虫的最大理论捕食量分别为6.17、19.23、45.45、100、142.86、111.11头,不同虫期的瞬间攻击率a为2龄>3龄>雄虫>4龄>1龄>雌虫,且4龄的处理时间Th最长(0.1624)。     

Nosema ceranae Can Infect Honey Bee Larvae and Reduces Subsequent Adult Longevity

Nosema ceranae causes a widespread disease that reduces honey bee health but is only thought to infect adult honey bees, not larvae, a critical life stage. We reared honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae in vitro and provide the first demonstration that N. ceranae can infect larvae and decrease subsequent adult longevity. We exposed three-day-old larvae to a single dose of 40,000 (40K), 10,000 (10K), zero (control), or 40K autoclaved (control) N. ceranae spores in larval food. Spores developed intracellularly in midgut cells at the pre-pupal stage (8 days after egg hatching) of 41% of bees exposed as larvae. We counted the number of N. ceranae spores in dissected bee midguts of pre-pupae and, in a separate group, upon adult death. Pre-pupae exposed to the 10K or 40K spore treatments as larvae had significantly elevated spore counts as compared to controls. Adults exposed as larvae had significantly elevated spore counts as compared to controls. Larval spore exposure decreased longevity: a 40K treatment decreased the age by which 75% of adult bees died by 28%. Unexpectedly, the low dose (10K) led to significantly greater infection (1.3 fold more spores and 1.5 fold more infected bees) than the high dose (40K) upon adult death. Differential immune activation may be involved if the higher dose triggered a stronger larval immune response that resulted in fewer adult spores but imposed a cost, reducing lifespan. The impact of N. ceranae on honey bee larval development and the larvae of naturally infected colonies therefore deserve further study.     

Testing pollen of single and stacked insect-resistant Bt-maize on in vitro reared honey bee larvae

The ecologically and economic important honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a key non-target arthropod species in environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops. Honey bee larvae are directly exposed to transgenic products by the consumption of GM pollen. But most ERA studies only consider responses of adult bees, although Bt-proteins primarily affect the larval phases of target organisms. We adopted an in vitro larvae rearing system, to assess lethal and sublethal effects of Bt-pollen consumption in a standardized eco-toxicological bioassay. The effects of pollen from two Bt-maize cultivars, one expressing a single and the other a total of three Bt-proteins, on the survival and prepupae weight of honey bee larvae were analyzed. The control treatments included pollen from three non-transgenic maize varieties and of Heliconia rostrata. Three days old larvae were fed the realistic exposure dose of 2 mg pollen within the semi-artificial diet. The larvae were monitored over 120 h, until the prepupal stage, where larvae terminate feeding and growing. Neither single nor stacked Bt-maize pollen showed an adverse effect on larval survival and the prepupal weight. In contrast, feeding of H. rostrata pollen caused significant toxic effects. The results of this study indicate that pollen of the tested Bt-varieties does not harm the development of in vitro reared A. mellifera larvae. To sustain the ecosystem service of pollination, Bt-impact on A. mellifera should always be a crucial part of regulatory biosafety assessments. We suggest that our approach of feeding GM pollen on in vitro reared honey bee larvae is well suited of becoming a standard bioassay in regulatory risk assessments schemes of GM crops.