Assessment of Chrysoperla Plorabunda Longevity Fecundity and Egg Viability When Adults are Fed Transgenic Bt Corn Pollen

The widespread planting of transgenic corn containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry endotoxin in its tissues for insect pest control raises the potential for influence on many non-target species including pollen-feeding species of Chrysopidae. This study was conducted to assess fitness parameters associated with longevity, fecundity, and egg viability of adult Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) when fed Bt corn pollen. Bt products tested with their respective non-Bt near-isolines were Event 176 (Cry1Ab), MON810 (Cry1Ab), and TC1507 (Cry1F). Females fed pollen from Event 176 lived significantly longer than those fed pollen from its non-Bt near-isoline. Males fed pollen from TC1507 showed a trend for living longer than males fed its non-Bt near-isoline pollen, but there was no difference for females regarding this event. The mean number of eggs produced per female per day was significantly less for those fed MON810 pollen compared with females fed pollen from the non-Bt near-isoline. Total egg production was significantly less for females fed MON810 pollen vs. females fed pollen from its non-Bt near-isoline. © The South Carolina Entomological Society, Inc