Journal or Publishing Institution: Journal of Applied Entomology
Author(s): Campos, R.C., Holderbaum, D.F., Nodari, R.O. and Hernandez, M.I.M.
Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study
Abstract:
Genetically modified (GM) Bt plants currently represent a highly adopted alternative for pest control in agricultural crops. However, their safety to non‐target organisms has been an unsolved issue. Non‐target organisms associated to nutrient cycling in natural and agricultural systems, such as dung beetles, use faeces of mammals as a food resource and could be exposed to Bt‐plant material through faeces of livestock fed with Bt‐crops. The aim of this study was to assess whether indirect exposure to transgenic Bt maize MON810 can reduce fitness in dung beetles. Four dung beetles species, Canthon angularis, Canthon rutilans cyanescens, Coprophanaeus saphirinus and Phanaeus splendidulus, were reared under laboratory conditions and fed with pig faeces using two treatments/diets: faeces of pigs fed transgenic maize and of pigs fed conventional maize. The behaviour of insects was tested by experiments on the incorporation of organic matter in the soil and nesting, and experiments of foraging behaviour with olfactometry measures. Organic matter incorporation in the soil per male–female pairs of C. rutilans was similar between GM and conventional treatments, as was their reproductive success, but beetles fed with faeces from transgenic maize produced more brood balls. In another trial regarding the incorporation of organic matter in the soil, C. saphirinus fed with faeces derived from conventional maize showed greater ability to bury food resource in comparison with GM fed ones. In an olfactometer test, the time to reach the food source was longer for individuals of C. rutilans, previously fed with transgenic faeces during 1 month, than individuals fed with conventional faeces. Our results suggest that differences found in dung beetles’ ability represent potential indirect effects of transgenic maize through the food chain and may also affect ecological functions of these organisms in natural habitats, by means of reduced beetle efficiency in removal and burial of faecal masses.
Keywords: fitness, genetically modified organisms, non‐target, nutrient cycling, Scarabaeinae, GM maize, Bt corn, GMO, transgenic, genetically engineered, MON810, dung beetles, Canthon angularis, Canthon rutilans cyanescens, Coprophanaeus saphirinus, Phanaeus splendidulus
Citation:
Campos, R.C., Holderbaum, D.F., Nodari, R.O. and Hernandez, M.I.M., 2018. Indirect exposure to Bt maize through pig faeces causes behavioural changes in dung beetles. Journal of Applied Entomology, 142(9), pp.893-900.
Category:
- Environmental effects
- Pesticide use
Record ID: 2433