Bt maize and butterflies and moths

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Genetically modified Bt maize expresses an active substance that kills the caterpillars of the European corn borer, which is an agricultural pest. Since the European corn borer is a moth, it is possible that other butterflies and moths could be at risk. Scientists from five European countries have developed a mathematical model for calculating the risk to butterflies and moths. A current biosafety research project is also investigating the potential risk to butterflies and moths.

• Butterflies and moths barely affected, even with large-scale cultivation of Bt maize

Science live

• Bt maize: Pollen diet for caterpillars

 

 

Bt maize: Biosafety research results 2005-2008

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Between 2005 and 2008, a large number of biosafety research projects investigated the ecological impacts of genetically modified MON88017 Bt maize, which has a new gene that makes it resistant to the Western corn rootworm. The research findings are now available. GMO Safety spoke to Stefan Rauschen of RWTH Aachen University.

• "Looking at all the results, we can assume that cultivation of this maize does not pose a problem." Interview with Stefan Rauschen (RWTH Aachen University)

 

Bt maize: Trial series 2008-2011

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In a three-year series of trials, several research projects are once again looking at the environmental impacts of genetically modified Bt maize. In one field trial, Bt maize is being grown and compared with various conventional maize varieties. GMO Safety is documenting the work on the trial field from sowing to harvest.

Research info

• New trial series with Bt maize: Comparing different varieties

 

Bt maize: Bee experiments 

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The maize trial field in mid-August. The whole field is scattered with gauze-covered tents, each of which provide a restricted habitat for two bee colonies during the maize-flowering period. For the bee experiments being conducted by Stephan Härtel and his colleagues at the University of Bayreuth, the maize-flowering period is the key time period, because it is only then that the bees can collect the maize pollen.

Science live

• "We look at how bee colonies develop that are only able to collect pollen from one variety of maize."

Research info

• Biosafety project: Effects of Bt maize on honeybees, University of Bayreuth (2008-2011)

 

How does Bt protein behave in the soil?

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On the maize trial field: Scientists from the University of Göttingen are digging a soil profile. They are interested in how much Bt protein the soil can bind and whether the Bt protein can move down to lower soil layers.

Science live

• Binding sites and soil horizons. How does Bt protein behave in the soil?

Research Info

• Biosafety project: Binding of Bt proteins to soil particles, IBT Göttingen (2008-2011)