Deriving criteria to select arthropod species for laboratory tests to assess the ecological risks from cultivating arthropod-resistant genetically engineered crops

► Non-target risk assessment (RA) of transgenic crops is supported by toxicity studies. ► No clear rationale exists for selecting test species for RA of transgenic crops. ► We propose a rationale based on methods used for pesticides and biocontrol agents. ► Species are selected according to their sensitivity, reliability, and relevance. ► This increases the quality and efficiency of RAs for cultivating transgenic crops.