Development of the predator Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) as affected by feeding on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) reared on transgenic Cry 2Ab tomato plants

Abstract

Investigations were conducted using Helicoverpa armigera fed on transgenic tomato plants containing a synthetic Cry2ab gene aiming to evaluate its impact on the development of the predator Chrysoperla carnea. Prey consumption and development parameters of C. carnea were assessed. No obvious differences were observed in the development of C. carnea that preyed on H. armigera fed on transgenic Bt tomato plants as compared to the control. This shows obvious that transgenic Bt tomato plants can be safely used as an efficient tool for the biocontrol of H. armigera with no effect on its predator, C. carnea.

Keywords:

• Bacillus thuringiensis
• predation
• Chrysoperla carnea
• Helicoverpa armigera
• Cry2Ab transgenic tomato