No Effect of Bt-transgenic Rice on the Tritrophic Interaction of the Stored Rice, the Maize Weevil Sitophilus Zeamais and the Parasitoid Wasp Theocolax elegans

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 13;9(1):4306. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40836-8.

Abstract

During Bt transgenic rice storage, Bt Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac fused protein is exposed to the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais and the parasitoid wasp Theocolax elegans. We have carried out a long-term risk assessment for Bt rice to these non-target organisms in the storehouse. Effects of Bt rice on S. zeamais and T. elegans have been carefully detected in a laboratory experiment of over 5 years. The survival, development, fecundity, and longevity of the maize weevil were compared between Bt rice and non-Bt rice treatments for every 5 generations from generation 1 to 25. Moreover, the development, adult body size and sex ratio of T. elegans were compared between them parasitizing S. zeamais feeding on Bt rice or non-Bt rice. We found that although Bt Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac fused protein exists in the Bt rice grains and S. zeamais digestive tracts, Bt rice is not harmful to the maize weevil S. zeamais and its parasitoid T. elegans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Insect Proteins / genetics
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Oryza / adverse effects
  • Oryza / genetics*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / adverse effects
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
  • Sex Ratio
  • Survival Rate
  • Wasps / growth & development
  • Wasps / metabolism*
  • Wasps / physiology
  • Weevils / growth & development
  • Weevils / metabolism*
  • Weevils / parasitology
  • Weevils / physiology

Substances

  • Cry toxin receptors
  • Insect Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface