Impact Evaluation of Insect-Resistant Transgenic Rice on the Feeding and Oviposition Behavior of Its Non-Target Insect, the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Homptera: Delphacidae)

The feeding and oviposition behavior of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens on two transgenic indica rice homogenous genotypes (B1 and B6) with cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis and transgenic restored line of hybrid rice (MSA) with SCK gene (a modified CpTI gene) were measured, compared with those on their corresponding non transgenic parental cultivars Jiazao935 and Minghui86 performed by BPH. Under the selection condition of host plants by BPH, loading percentage, oviposition preference and laying egg number of BPH both on transgenic cry1Ab rice and transgenic SCK rice were not significantly different from those on their controls, while their total number of probing wound caused by PBH expect for feeding on B1 plants was markedly more than that on the control. In contrast, under the non selection condition, total number of probing wound caused by BPH on either transgenic cry1Ab rice or transgenic SCK rice was pronouncedly more than those on their controls. Conversely, their honeydew amount excreted by BPH after feeding for 24 h was significantly less than those on the control. As a conclusion, three tested transgenic rice genotypes with insect resistance acted adverse effect on BHP feeding, and no marked effect on BPH oviposition.

Ovipositional responses of Spodoptera frugiperda on host plants provide a basis for using Bt-transgenic maize as trap crop in China

Spodoptera frugiperda,the pest fall armyworm(FAW),is widespread in more than 100 countries.To date,planting insectresistant transgenic crops is one of the main control methods in its native countries.In this study we evaluated Bt-transgenic maize(Bt maize)and non-transgenic(conventional)maize and six other host plants in greenhouse pot experiments and field trials for oviposition preference by the Chinese populations of FAW.In laboratory trials,female moths preferred to oviposit on maize with no significant preference between conventional and Bt maize.However,after conventional and transgenic maize were exposed to FAW larvae and damaged,oviposition was significantly higher on transgenic maize than on the conventional one.Field trials showed that for plants less damaged at an early stage(seedling stage),oviposition of FAW on transgenic and conventional maize was significantly higher than that on wheat,sorghum,foxtail millet,peanut and soybean while showing no significant difference between transgenic or conventional maize.FAW adults mainly laid eggs on Bt maize,while the larval density and leaf damage rating or percentage of damaged plants were significantly lower than on conventional maize.Larval density and its damage on conventional maize were significantly higher than that on Bt maize and the other five hosts.Thus,maize is a highly preferred and suitable host for S.frugiperda feeding and ovipositing,and Bt maize can be used as trap crop to protect other crops.

Effects of seed type and bruchid genotype on the performance and oviposition behavior of Zabrotes subfasciatus （Coleoptera： Bruchidae）

The effect of different bean varieties on the performance of the bruchid beetle Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman （Coleoptera： Bruchidae）, was determined by using wild and cultivated seeds of the genus Phaseolus. Results showed that the quality of the host plant affected the performance and the oviposition behavior of female beetles. Overall, bruchid performance was higher on cultivated seeds than on wild seeds. It was also found that the oviposition behavior and the performance of their offspring differed between females that originated from wild versus cultivated seeds. We also demonstrated the importance of a genetic component in bruchid performance： longevity, fecundity, larval development, adult size, and the sex ratio of the progeny varied according to their matemal lineage （‘family＇ ）. For example, on the same host type, some females laid twice as many eggs as females from other‘families＇, and the sex ratio among the offspring correlated with that of their mother. Thus, the performance and behavior of Z. subfasciatus are not only affected by environmental factors such as the quality of the seeds on which they develop, but also have a genetic basis which can counterbalance a less suitable quality of the host plant. For a crop pest such as Z. subfasciatus, its ability to survive and adapt on host plants of differing quality may be an important attribute to consider for pest management.