Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae) fed on transgenic maize can transfer Bt proteins to Podisus nigrispinus (Pentatomidae)

Abstract

An important concern with the use of genetically modified (GM) plants expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal toxins is the deleterious effect on non-target organisms.The predatory stink bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is used in biological control programs and may be exposed to Bt toxins. This study evaluated the indirect effects of different Cry proteins on P. nigrispinus with the prey Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), fed on simple or pyramided Bt maize genotypes. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three treatments: i) Isohybrid (not Bt), ii) Herculex ® (transgenic maize encoding Cry1F protein) and iii) PowerCore ® (pyramidal transgenic maize encoding the Cry1F, Cry1A.105, and Cry2Ab2 proteins), which were used to feed S. frugiperda for 48 h. The caterpillars were used as prey by P. nigrispinus females. We evaluated the presence of Cry proteins, consumed prey biomass (predation), oviposition period, number of postures, number of eggs, number of eggs per posture, number of nymphs, egg viability, embryonic period, female longevity and development, and survival rates of immature.The results show that different Cry proteins move through the food chain of P. nigrispinus and provide evidence that the ingestion of three different proteins does not lead to unexpected synergistic effects. However, Cry toxins promoted histopathological changes in midgut cells of P. nigrispinus.

Insecticidal Effect of Cry Toxins Produced by Bacillus thuringiensis on Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) and Euschistus heros (Fabricius, 1798) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

“…Histological sections of the P. nigrispinus midgut shows the effects of proteins Cry1F, Cry1A.105, and Cry2Ab2, with histopathological changes, after predating Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on GM Bt-maize but not being lethal to 3 rd trophic level (Souza et al, 2021). In additional, other studies showed that the Cry1Ac toxin caused ultrastructural changes in the digestive cells of the predatory stink bug P. nigrispinus when it fed on S. frugiperda that had consumed GM Bt-cotton expressing the toxin (da Cunha et al, 2012).…”

Liquid biofuel powering the sustainable transport with a low-carbon emission: a review

“…Firstly, biomass feedstocks of all generations also have functional uses such as biomass power generation, heat supply, and hydrogen production in addition to preparing liquid fuels [186]. What's more, biomass can be used not only for energy but also for compost [187], feed [188], biochar [132]. It can also be processed into renewable tableware [189], not necessarily as a fuel or energy source.…”

Optimización para la cría de Tecia solanivora (Povolný, 1973) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) en condiciones de laboratorio

“…La estimación del parámetro de producción de adultos consistió en una cámara de desarrollo de inmaduros (larvas) y producción de adultos, donde se evaluaron tres tratamientos correspondientes a 3.500, 4.500 y 5.500 huevos viables de T. solanivora por cámara de desarrollo. La producción de adultos se determinó desde el comienzo de la emergencia de los insectos con el registro diario y hasta comprobar que las pupas presentes aún eran viables mediante movimiento y turgencia (Souza et al 2021).…”