Effect of Transgenic Maize Mon 810 on Selected Non-Target Organisms: The Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and its Predator - Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea Steph.)

The maize variety MON 810 resistant on lepidopteran pests is one of the most common and longest grown transgenic variety. It was modified to constantly produce in its tissues Cry1Ab protein derived from common bacteria Bacillus thuringensis. The Cry1Ab protein is lethally-toxic for European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), significant maize pest. A study was carried out to evaluate the influence of MON 810 maize on development of two non-target species - the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.) and its predator - green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea Steph.). During comparison analysis there were no significant differences between transgenic maize vs. non-transgenic isogenic maize influence on non-target organisms.