不同类型棉田棉铃虫天敌功能团的组成及时空动态

比较分析Bt基因棉棉田、常规棉综防棉田棉玲虫天敌功能团的组成、数量、时空和多样性的发生动态。主要结果为：Bt棉田比常规棉综防棉田和化防棉田天敌种类分别增加16.3%和54.1%;百株累计捕食性在敌数量分别增加52.8%和176.3%,棉铃虫幼虫寄生蜂数量分别降低42.9%和52.9%;天敌功能团多样性分别增加10.1%和24.1%。常规棉棉田二代、三代棉铃虫幼虫寄生率分别为11.1%－65.0%和4.1%-66.2%,Bt棉田为0.0%-5.0％。就不同类型天敌功能团来说,Bt棉田瓢虫和草蛉的数量比综防棉田分别减少8.4%和5.8%,比化防棉田分别增加34.1%和206.3%;Bt棉田食虫蝽和蜘蛛的数量比综防棉田分别增加180.6%和71.2%,比化防棉田分别增加329.1%和483.7%。棉铃虫捕食性天敌空间生态位发生动态在各类棉田相似。分析认为：Bt棉田有利于保护瓢虫和草蛉,有利于食虫蝽类和蜘蛛类天敌的增殖;Bt棉田棉铃虫天敌群落依次比常规棉综防棉田和化防棉田稳定。不同时期、不同类型棉田的棉铃虫天敌功能团数量和所起的作用不同。6月下旬棉铃虫捕食性天敌控制作用存在“空缺”,7月下旬化防棉田出现天敌控制“空缺”。不同时期捕食性天敌功能团恢复能力有差异。6月底－7月初天敌恢复能力最强,7月下旬,天敌恢复能力最弱。天敌功能团中,瓢虫恢复能力最强,食虫蝽类和蜘蛛类天敌次之。     

转Bt基因棉田节肢动物群落营养层及优势功能团的组成与变化

1998年在河北南皮棉区转Bt基因棉棉田和常规棉综防田的生物群落变化的研究表明,与常规棉综防田相比,转Bt基因棉棉田的节肢动物种类增加30.7%,功能团多样性增加66.9%,天敌类和中性节肢动物类的丰富度分别增加97.6%和158.0%,害虫类的丰富度减少45.7%。就功能团的种群数量来看,主要害虫棉铃虫、蚜虫和蓟马种群数量分别减少98.9%、69.0%和72.6%;而次要害虫害蝽、粉虱、叶蝉类昆虫的种群数量分别增加了2.2、3.2和14.8倍,棉花生长中期,转Bt基因棉棉田中的基位物种丰富度大于中位和顶位物种;常规棉田中的差异则更大,出现天敌控制“空缺”。综合分析表明,转Bt基因棉棉田生态系统比常规棉综防田稳定;转Bt基因棉棉田的中性节肢动物和次要害虫在害虫－天敌的营养链中起到了重要的调控作用。     

转Bt基因棉对非靶标害虫及害虫天敌种群动态的影响

2000～2001年,在湖北棉区系统研究了转Bt基因棉对棉田非靶标害虫及天敌种群动态的影响。试验设三个处理：转Bt化防田（使用化学农药控制害虫）、转Bt自控田（仅依靠田间自然天敌控制害虫）及常规对照棉田（利用综合防治措施控制害虫）。结果表明,在转Bt基因棉田中,除棉蓟马外,其它主要非靶标害虫（主要是刺吸性害虫）的种群发生数量呈明显的上升趋势。2000年棉蚜发生的总计值,化防田和自控田分别比常规对照田增加37.9%和71.4%,2001年则分别增加92.5%和134.9%;2000年朱砂叶螨发生的总计值,化防田和自控田分别比常规对照田增加181.1%和298.3%,2001年则分别增加69.9%和105.0%;转Bt基因棉对于斜纹夜蛾与烟粉虱这两种近几年来对棉花危害有加重趋势的害虫,在大田中没有表现出抗性。天敌的发生种类和数量也都远远高于常规对照棉田,几种主要天敌种群发生的总计值及高峰值都明显高于常规对照棉田。2000年蜘蛛类发生的总计值,化防田和自控田分别比常规对照田增加66.3%和112.1%,2001年则分别增加95.1%和111.7%;2000年龟纹瓢虫发生的总计值,化防田和自控田分别比常规对照田增加140.8%和135.4%,2001年则分别增加67.2%和109.5%;2000年在两块转Bt基因棉田中种群数量较大的大眼蝉长蝽在常规对照棉田的调查过程中没有发现,2001年在对照田中也仅记录到1头。试验表明,充分利用Bt棉田中天敌种类较丰富、种群数量较大的优势而加强生物防治,是湖北棉区转Bt基因棉田综防体系中的一个关键措施。     

转基因棉花对棉铃虫天敌寄生率的影响

采用分期接虫、分期回收法研究常规棉与转基因棉花品种 (系 )上棉铃虫寄生性天敌在不同棉花品种上的寄生作用。结果表明 ,无论是第 2代棉铃虫发生期间还是第 3 ,4代棉铃虫发生期间 ,无论是棉铃虫卵期还是幼虫期 ,转基因棉花品种 (系 )的棉铃虫卵、幼虫寄生率均显著低于常规棉花品种上的寄生率。棉铃虫卵期寄生蜂主要是拟澳洲赤眼蜂 ,幼虫寄生蜂为棉铃虫齿唇姬蜂等。由此看出转基因棉对棉铃虫寄生性天敌存在非亲和性。     

转Bt基因棉和转Bt+CpTI双价基因棉对棉田主要害虫及其天敌种群动态的 影响

2002年4～10月,在北京西北旺中国农科院实验园区系统研究了单价转基因棉GK321（CryIAc）和双价转基因棉SGK321CryIAc+CpTI）对棉田主要害虫及其天敌种群动态的影响。试验设三种处理：单价转基因棉田（单价棉田）、双价转基因棉田（双价棉田）和常规对照棉(石远321)田（常规棉田）。在棉花的整个生育期系统调查棉田主要害虫及其天敌的种群数量。结果表明,单、双价棉田棉铃虫的发生数量都显著低于常规棉田;双价棉抗虫性在棉铃虫第2代发生期和单价棉无差异,但第3代发生期双价棉田内棉铃虫幼虫百株累计量比单价棉田减少了36.6%,抗虫性明显优于单价转基因棉。两种转基因棉田内非靶标害虫的发生量明显高于对照棉田的发生量,每种非靶标害虫在双价棉田和单价棉田发生数量多少因种类而异。双价棉田和单价棉田相比,棉蚜、棉叶蝉和棉粉虱的累计发生数量分别减少了33.0%、50.6%和22.7%,前两种差异极显著,后一种差异不显著;棉蓟马和绿盲蝽分别增加了208.9%和18.4%,前者差异显著,后者差异不显著。大多数天敌（包括捕食性和寄生性）在转基因棉田内发生数量显著低于常规棉田的发生数量。双价棉田内的龟纹瓢虫、棉蚜茧蜂和卵形异绒螨比单价棉田分别减少30.4%、42.8%和46.8%,差异均显著;草蛉卵和蜘蛛比单价棉田分别减少20.0%和27.4%,但差异不显著;双价棉田内的中华草蛉和小花蝽分别比单价棉田增加了27.0%和8.9%,前者差异显著,后者差异不显著。所以,单、双价转基因棉相比,对不同天敌的影响差异较大。     

应用赤眼蜂携带病毒防治棉铃虫的初步研究

利用赤眼蜂携带棉铃虫NPV病毒防治第2、3、4代棉铃虫,以万灵、甲胺磷化学杀虫剂防治作对照.结果显示:赤眼蜂对棉铃虫卵的寄生率平均为33.3%,最高达到37.3%;棉铃虫幼虫病毒感染死亡率为61.3%到70.6%;赤眼蜂带病毒防治田天敌数量、种类明显多于化学杀虫剂防治田,瓢虫、蜘蛛、小花蝽平均百株数量比化学杀虫剂防治田分别高83.6%、100.8%、69.2%,在赤眼蜂带病毒防治田存在的草蛉、猎蝽等捕食性天敌在化学杀虫剂防治田未发现:赤眼蜂带病毒防治田平均虫口减退率为66.19%,化学杀虫剂防治田为70.25%,差异不显著(p=0.05);赤眼蜂带病毒防治田棉花的平均花蕾虫害率为35.97%与化学杀虫剂防治田的34.93%差异也不显著(p=0.05).     

棉田棉铃虫寄生峰对常规棉及转Bt棉品种的趋性反应

连续4年采用人工定期释放棉铃虫卵、幼虫和定期回收法,研究了不同棉花品种与棉铃虫卵期、幼虫期寄生蜂种群数量变化的关系．通过对卵、幼虫寄生率反正弦转换后进行方差分析表明,无论是在棉铃虫卵期还是在其幼虫期,转基因棉田中棉铃虫卵和幼虫的被寄生率始终显著低于其亲本对照棉．运用“Y”型嗅觉仪测定转基因棉及其亲本对照棉对棉铃虫幼虫寄生蜂——中红侧沟茧蜂的选择性行为反应,用成对数据进行方差分析,并进行了“T”测验．结果表明,转基因棉对棉铃虫寄生蜂有较强的忌避反应,且取食转基因棉的棉铃虫幼虫与被害转基因棉两者的共同组合与单独被害棉之间对寄生蜂的忌避效应基本一致．     

棉田棉铃虫寄生峰对常规棉及转Bt棉品种的趋性反应

连续4年采用人工定期释放棉铃虫卵、幼虫和定期回收法,研究了不同棉花品种与棉铃虫卵期、幼虫期寄生蜂种群数量变化的关系.通过对卵、幼虫寄生率反正弦转换后进行方差分析表明,无论是在棉铃虫卵期还是在其幼虫期,转基因棉田中棉铃虫卵和幼虫的被寄生率始终显著低于其亲本对照棉.运用“Y”型嗅觉仪测定转基因棉及其亲本对照棉对棉铃虫幼虫寄生蜂———中红侧沟茧蜂的选择性行为反应,用成对数据进行方差分析,并进行了“T”测验.结果表明,转基因棉对棉铃虫寄生蜂有较强的忌避反应,且取食转基因棉的棉铃虫幼虫与被害转基因棉两者的共同组合与单独被害棉之间对寄生蜂的忌避效应基本一致.     

释放不同种类赤眼蜂对亚洲玉米螟的防治效果比较

【目的】研究适宜黑龙江省第二积温带应用赤眼蜂Trichogramma sp.防治亚洲玉米螟Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée)的的蜂种及合理的放蜂时期。【方法】2016-2017年,在齐齐哈尔市玉米田人工释放玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae、松毛虫赤眼蜂T.dendrolimi和螟黄赤眼蜂T.chilonis防治亚洲玉米螟。于6月30日第1次释放蜂15 000头/hm~2,8月5日第2次释放蜂30 000头/hm~2。【结果】释放不同蜂种田的亚洲玉米螟卵块被寄生率间差异显著,以释放玉米螟赤眼蜂田的寄生率最高,平均为95.7%,比未放蜂对照田的自然寄生率提高了49.0%。其次为松毛虫赤眼蜂和螟黄赤眼蜂,平均寄生率分别为75.0%和71.0%。两年试验结果表明释放3种不同赤眼蜂的玉米田平均被害株率、百株残存虫量和蛀孔数差异显著,综合防治效果以释放玉米螟赤眼蜂最高,为78.1%,其次是松毛虫赤眼蜂和螟黄赤眼蜂,分别为66.2%和60.2%。【结论】玉米螟赤眼蜂是黑龙江省第二积温带防治玉米螟的适宜释放蜂种,第1次放蜂时间提早到6月30日左右。     

转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab棉对棉铃虫的控制作用及对天敌捕食烟粉虱功能反应的影响

文章以转Cry1Ac基因棉(中棉所41)和常规棉(中棉所49)为对照,研究了转Cry1Ac+Cry2Ab基因棉(639020)在棉花生长的关键时期——蕾期(二代棉铃虫发生期)、花期(三代棉铃虫发生期)和花铃期(四代棉铃虫发生期)对棉铃虫的控制作用,同时研究了639020棉田主要捕食性天敌(中华草蛉幼虫、龟纹瓢虫、小花蝽和草间小黑蛛)对烟粉虱的捕食功能,明确了639020棉花在生长的关键时期对棉铃虫的控制效果及对棉田主要捕食性天敌捕食功能反应的影响。结果表明,639020棉花对二代和三代棉铃虫具有良好的控制作用,抗虫性分别比中棉所41提高了52.85%和16.22%,其中前者差异达显著水平,后者差异不显著。在棉花蕾期、花期和花铃期,639020棉田棉铃虫落卵量都比中棉所41棉田和中棉所49棉田低(除二代棉铃虫发生期);棉铃虫幼虫数量都极显著低于常规棉,且都低于防治指标,但与中棉所41棉田无显著差异。639020棉田中华草蛉、龟纹瓢虫、小花蝽和草间小黑蛛对烟粉虱的捕食功能与中棉所41棉田和常规棉田相比无显著变化。研究结果以期为新型转基因棉花环境安全性研究及其外源基因的抗虫遗传效应和生产应用前景进行安全性评价。     

湖北棉区转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫的控制作用

2000-2001年通过田间系统调查,表明转Bt基因棉（品种为GK19）在湖北江汉平原棉区对棉铃虫抗性稳定。试验设3个处理：转Bt基因棉化防田（使用化学农药控制害虫）、转Bt基因棉自控田（依靠天敌控制害虫）及常规棉对照田（利用综合防治措施控制害虫）。从棉铃虫的第2代到第5代整个发生期内,即使在不进行化学防治的情况下,棉铃虫在Bt棉田的发生量也保持在极低的水平(最高百株虫量为12头)。室内饲养结果表明,转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫的生长发育（幼虫体重、蛹重）有较为明显的影响,使6龄幼虫体重减少25.6%,蛹重减少18.2%。棉铃虫幼虫取食转Bt基因棉组织后,发育迟缓,相对于常规棉喂养的整个发育历期延长17 d,使棉铃虫在田间的危害减少至少一个世代。另外,接虫试验表明,棉铃虫幼虫在常规棉上的取食时间是转Bt基因棉株上的6.1倍,极大地减轻了棉铃虫的危害程度。     

Spatial and temporal dynamics of oviposition behavior of bollworm and three of its predators in Bt and non-Bt cotton fields

Host plants exhibiting insect resistance traits have long been known to influence within‐plant distributions of pests and their natural enemies. Sites and timing of egg deposition are particularly important for synchrony of predators and their prey in the field. Temporal and spatial distribution of eggs of the cotton bollworms [Heliothis virescens (F.) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and that of the predators Geocoris punctipes (Say) (Heteroptera: Geocoridae), Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and Micromus spec. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) were determined during three cotton seasons, from 2002 to 2004, by collecting and examining plants throughout each season. Comparisons also were made between Bt and non‐Bt cotton to investigate possible changes in oviposition behavior on Bt cotton. The study was conducted in commercial fields with insecticide use to manage pests when economic thresholds were exceeded in both cotton types. Egg densities for predators and bollworms varied among years, but were similar on Bt and non‐Bt cottons. Oviposition of bollworms and G. punctipes correlated spatially within plants, with most eggs laid on structures in the top five nodes of cotton plants and on the three outermost leaves on lateral branches regardless of cotton type. Bollworm oviposition dynamics exhibited two peaks within the season (early July and early August). Eggs of all predators and bollworms collected from the field and incubated in the laboratory had high hatching rates throughout each season (74–100%). Temporal association of predator with bollworm oviposition showed a significant correlation with green lacewings, a delay of 10 days for big‐eyed bugs, and no correlation with brown lacewings. Furthermore, Bt cotton plants exerted no significant effect on temporal or spatial patterns of oviposition of bollworms or the predators, indicating no change in oviposition behavior of bollworm females within plant structures after almost one decade of widespread planting of Bt cotton.     

Comparative production of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from transgenic cotton expressing either one or two Bacillus thuringiensis proteins with and without insecticide oversprays

Transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), expressing either one or two Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki Berliner (Bt) proteins was compared with the conventional sister line in field experiments with regard to production of bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and bolls damaged by bollworm. The relative numbers of bollworms that developed on Bollgard (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO), Bollgard II (Monsanto Co.), and conventional cotton were estimated under nontreated conditions in 2000 and both insecticide-treated and nontreated conditions in 2001-2002 in North Carolina tests. Averaged across seven field studies under nontreated conditions, Bollgard cotton generated statistically similar numbers of large (L4-L5) bollworm larvae compared with the conventional variety; however, Bollgard cotton produced significantly fewer damaged bolls and bollworm adults than the conventional variety. Production of large larvae, damaged bolls, and adults was decreased dramatically by Bollgard II cotton as compared with Bollgard and conventional varieties. When comparing insecticide-treated and nontreated cotton genotypes, both Bt cotton sustained less boll damage than the conventional variety averaged across insecticide regimes; furthermore, Bollgard II cotton had fewer damaged bolls than the Bollgard variety. When averaged across cotton genotypes, pyrethroid oversprays reduced the numbers of damaged bolls compared with the nontreated cotton. Insecticide-treated Bollgard cotton, along with insecticide-treated and nontreated Bollgard II cotton reduced production of bollworm larvae, pupae, and adults. However, the addition of pyrethroid oversprays to Bollgard II cotton seemed to be the best resistance management strategy available for bollworm because no bollworms were capable of completing development under these conditions.     

转基因抗虫棉种植面积变化对花生田棉铃虫种群影响

【目的】棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera(Hübner)是花生田主要害虫之一。转基因抗虫棉全面推广后,棉铃虫种群(包括棉田、花生田、玉米田)得到有效控制。近年,随着转基因抗虫棉种植面积逐年下降,花生田棉铃虫种群呈现逐年上升趋势。【方法】本文通过调查山东省花生主产区(非棉区)龙口、招远、莱阳、文登四个县级市花生田棉铃虫成虫、卵量、幼虫量等的发生情况,分析了棉铃虫发生面积及种群数量15年(2000—2014年)的变化规律,并重点分析了主要影响因素。【结果】结果表明:花生棉铃虫发生面积受棉花种植面积影响较大,二者呈显著负相关性;花生田棉铃虫累计诱蛾量总体呈下降趋势,但与棉花种植面积相关性不显著;棉铃虫卵量、虫量与抗虫棉种植面积呈显著负相关性。【结论】所以,转基因抗虫棉种植面积减少是导致花生田棉铃虫种群数量上升的主要因素。另外,近年玉米田棉铃虫发生面积也呈逐年上升趋势,与抗虫棉种植面积呈显著负相关。所以,随转基因抗虫棉种植面积的下降,若不采取有效措施,棉铃虫种群可能会出现大发生趋势。     

转双价基因抗虫棉及其杂交F1代对棉铃虫幼虫的抗性研究

利用室内生物测定法和田间调查法研究双价抗虫棉及其杂交F1代不同生育期主茎功能叶和花铃期不同组织器官的抗虫性。结果表明:双价抗虫棉及其杂交F1代的抗虫性变化规律与B t基因棉的抗虫性变化规律相近,为生育前期(苗期、蕾期)抗性强,生育后期(花铃期、吐絮期)抗性弱,在花铃期为:棉铃>棉蕾>花>棉叶,且差异极显著。与B t基因棉相比,生育前期双价抗虫棉及其杂交F1代的抗虫性略弱,但差异不显著;生育后期双价抗虫棉及其杂交F1代的抗虫性显著强于B t基因棉。     

新疆棉区转Bt基因棉对棉铃虫生物学的影响

棉铃虫Helicoverpaarmigera高龄幼虫取食转Bt基因棉花组织后 ,化蛹率、羽化率、蛹重、体长均有显著下降 ,在转Bt基因棉花上棉铃虫的取食行为也受到较大的影响 ,表现为取食次数明显减少、吐丝下垂次数明显增加 ;无论是转Bt基因棉花还是常规棉花 ,棉铃虫 3龄幼虫主要分布于繁殖器官上 ,在转Bt基因棉花各繁殖器官上的分布概率为 :花 >棉铃 >棉蕾 ,常规棉花上分布概率为 :棉蕾 >棉铃 >花 ;棉铃虫高龄幼虫取食转Bt基因棉花各组织 ,成虫羽化后产卵量、卵孵化率均有明显下降 ;在较低的棉铃虫虫口密度下 ,转Bt基因棉花对棉铃虫有一定的产卵排趋性。     

江苏棉区种植转基因抗虫棉GK22对棉田害虫、杂草种群的影响

2001年在江苏选择南京、盐城两地,试验观察转Bt基因抗虫棉GK22的种植,对棉田害虫及杂草种群变动的影响,结果是：咀嚼式口器害虫的棉铃虫（Helicover pa armigera),红铃虫（Pectinophora goosypiella),玉米螟（Ostrinia nubilalis),金刚钻（Earias cupreoviridis),棉不造桥虫（Anomis flava),棉大卷叶虫（Adoxophyes orana)等虫口数量,蕾铃被害均表现出较好的控制效果,处理区咀嚼式口器害虫的幼虫总 量,比对照区分别减少92．51％,78．4％,其中：棉铃虫幼虫数量分别减少88．3％,72．9％,蕾铃被害虫减少87．5％,90．7％,74．11％,55．85％,红铃虫虫花减少74．4％,51．64％,铃内活虫减少90％,100％,玉米螟虫口减少72．7％,100％,金钢钻,造桥虫,卷叶虫虫口减少93％以上,对刺吸式口器盲蝽象（Adelphocoris suturalis),棉蚜（Aphis gossyppii),棉红叶螨（Tetranychus cinnabariuns)等害虫,试验区和对照区种群消长动态趋势基本一致,差异不显,两试对杂草种类及数量调查,抗虫棉区和对照区差异亦不明显。     

Laboratory and field studies on the integrated pest management of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in cotton, based on pheromone trap catch threshold level

Abstract: With a view to using parasitoids and predators in integrated pest management of the target pest Helicoverpa armigera in cotton fields, basic studies on the egg parasitism, toxicity of insecticides to parasitoids and predators and compatibility of nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) of H. armigera with other insecticides were conducted in the laboratory. Results revealed that egg parasitism in the laboratory by Trichogramma chilonis was 75.6%. Among the insecticides tested against T. chilonis and the predator Chrysoperla carnea , nimbecidine (neem product) and dipel resulted in zero mortality, with only a low level of mortality by dimethoate, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, alphamethrin and monocrotophos. Combinations of nimbecidine 2% + NPV at 250 larval equivalents (LE)/ha and dipel 8 l + NPV @250 LE/ha were the most effective treatments against H. armigera . The integrated pest management components ( T . chilonis , C . carnea , NPV, nimbecidine, dipel and synthetic chemicals) were imposed at different intervals on the basis of pheromone trap threshold level (7 moths/trap per night) on a consolidated block of 40 ha cotton (MCU-1) fields at two locations, Shankarabanda and Korlagundi. The results demonstrated a significant superiority of the IPM strategy in terms of both cost versus benefit and environmental safety over that used in the farmer's fields where only conventional control methods were followed.     

Effects of elevated CO2 and transgenic Bt cotton on plant chemistry, performance, and feeding of an insect herbivore, the cotton bollworm

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ (double‐ambient CO₂) on the growth and metabolism of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), fed on transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) cotton [Cry1A(c)], grown in open‐top chambers, were studied. Two levels of CO₂ (ambient and double‐ambient) and two cotton cultivars (non‐transgenic Simian‐3 and transgenic GK‐12) were deployed in a completely randomized design with four treatment combinations, and the cotton bollworm was reared on each treatment simultaneously. Plants of both cotton cultivars had lower nitrogen and higher total non‐structural carbohydrates (TNC), TNC:Nitrogen ratio, condensed tannin, and gossypol under elevated CO₂. Elevated CO₂ further resulted in a significant decrease in Bt toxin level in GK‐12. The changes in chemical components in the host plants due to increased CO₂ significantly affected the growth parameters of H. armigera. Both transgenic Bt cotton and elevated CO₂ resulted in a reduced body mass, lower fecundity, decreased relative growth rate (RGR), and decreased mean relative growth rate in the bollworms. Larval life‐span was significantly longer for H. armigera fed transgenic Bt cotton. Significantly reduced larval, pupal, and adult moth weights were observed in the bollworms fed elevated CO₂‐grown transgenic Bt cotton compared with those of bollworms reared on non‐transgenic cotton, regardless of the CO₂ level. The efficiency of conversion of ingested food and of digested food of the bollworm were significantly reduced when fed transgenic Bt cotton, but there was no significant CO₂ or CO₂× cotton cultivar interaction. Approximate digestibility of larvae reared on transgenic cotton grown in elevated CO₂ was higher compared to that of larvae fed non‐transgenic cotton grown at ambient CO₂. The damage inflicted by cotton bollworm on cotton, regardless of the presence or absence of insecticidal genes, is predicted to be more serious under elevated CO₂ conditions because of individual compensatory feeding on host plants caused by nitrogen deficiency.