View source for Plant Biotechnology Journal (2009) 7, 645-656

{{Publication
|Publication authors=[[Michael Meissle]] and [[Jörg Romeis]]
|Author Page=Michael Meissle, Jörg Romeis
|Publication date=2009
|dc:title=The web-building spider ''[[Phylloneta impressa (predator)|Theridion impressum]]'' (Araneae: Theridiidae) is not adversely affected by ''Bt'' maize resistant to corn rootworms
|Publication journal=Plant Biotechnology Journal
|prism:volume=7 (7)
|prism:startingPage=645
|Last page=656
|DOI=10.1111/j.1467-7652.2009.00431.x
|Publication abstract=The growth of genetically engineered maize that produces the insecticidal protein Cry3Bb1 from ''Bacillus thuringiensis'' (''Bt'') is an effective method to control corn rootworms (''Diabrotica'' spp.), which are threatening maize production in North America and Europe. In this study, the risk of Cry3Bb1-expressing maize for the predatory spider ''Theridion impressum'', a common species in European maize fields, was assessed. Quantification of Cry3Bb1 in potential prey species collected in ''Bt'' maize plots and prey spectrum analysis revealed that ''T. impressum'' ingests Cry3Bb1 in the field. Exposure to the ''Bt'' protein, however, was highly variable because some potential prey species, such as phloem-feeding herbivores and predators, contained little or no Cry3Bb1, whereas leaf-feeding herbivores contained high concentrations. Adult and juvenile ''T. impressum'' spiders were fed with Cry3Bb1-containing food (prey or maize pollen) for 8 weeks in the laboratory to examine the toxicity of the ''Bt'' protein. No differences in mortality, weight development or offspring production were observed between spiders provided with food containing or not containing Cry3Bb1. Retrospective power analysis indicated that the bioassays were sufficiently sensitive to detect meaningful differences if present. Although Cry3Bb1 is ingested by the spider in the field, our data provide no evidence for toxicity. Consequently, the growth of corn rootworm-resistant ''Bt'' maize appears to pose no risk for ''T. impressum''.
|AbstractCC=Yes
|AuthorsAbstract=No
|Research topic=biocontrol - natural enemies
|Benf research=environment/habitat manipulation
|Is book=No
}}
{{Pest record
|Pest=Diabrotica virgifera
|Crop=Maize/corn (Zea mays)
|Quarantined=No
}}
{{Beneficial record
|Beneficial=Phylloneta impressa (predator)
}}
{{Beneficial record
|Beneficial=Bacillus thuringiensis genes in crops (entomopathogen)
|Pest=Diabrotica virgifera
|Crop=Maize/corn (Zea mays)
}}
{{Beneficial record
|Beneficial=Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3B-toxin (entomopathogen)
|Pest=Diabrotica virgifera
|Crop=Maize/corn (Zea mays)
}}