Environmental Entomology (2007) 36, 1246-1253

J.E. González-Zamora, S. Camúñez and C. Avilla (2007)
Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins on developmental and reproductive characteristics of the predator Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) under laboratory conditions
Environmental Entomology 36 (5), 1246-1253
Abstract: The effects of Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) on the anthocorid Orius albidipennis Reuter were studied under laboratory conditions. Tritrophic experiments were performed, in which Orius nymphs were fed Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) larvae reared on a diet with Cry1Ac, Cry1Ab, or Cry2Ab toxins at different concentrations (0, 1, and 10 μg/ml), when supplemented with Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs. In complementary experiments, the Bt Cry1Ac toxin was directly fed to Orius nymphs at a very high concentration (1 mg/ml). No effects on prey consumption, developmental time, nymph survival, fecundity, and egg hatching of O. albidipennis were found in either experiment. It can be concluded that the toxins tested do not seem to pose a risk for the anthocorid O. albidipennis, especially when it is exposed through the prey.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Jose Enrique Gonzalez-Zamora

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Helicoverpa armigera
Orius albidipennis (predator)	Helicoverpa armigera
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A-toxin (entomopathogen)	Helicoverpa armigera
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2A-toxin (entomopathogen)	Helicoverpa armigera