Bt-maize effects on biological parameters of the non-target aphid Sitobion avenae (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Cry1Ab toxin detection

Bt-maize crop is increasingly used worldwide and the study of ecological side effects is a major subject in this domain. Under laboratory conditions, we determined Bt-maize effects on the non-target aphid Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) (Homoptera: Aphididae). We found no significant differences between S. avenae on MON810 and the near-isogenic line when alate offspring production, apterous survivorship, longevity, intrinsic rates of natural increase (rm), finite rates of increase and doubling times were compared. No significant differences were found between treatments for apterous pre-reproductive and reproductive periods. Additionally, we used immunological tests (ELISA) to detect Cry1Ab protein in maize leaves and S. avenae nymphs. Results showed that Bt-maize leaves expressed 0.203 (±0.05) μg Cry1Ab/g leaf tissue (Mean ± SEM). No Cry1Ab protein was present in S. avenae nymphs developing on Bt or conventional maize. We conclude that Bt-maize does not affect the development of the non-target aphid S. avenae and that Cry1Ab toxin quantities in these aphids are nil, suggesting an inconsequential risk for natural enemies of this aphid species.