Plant Protect. Sci., 2006, 42(1):1-8 | DOI: 10.17221/2689-PPS

Effect of Bt-maize on epigeic spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones)

Milan Řezáč, Stano Pekár, František Kocourek
Department of Entomology, Division of Plant Medicine, Research Institute of Crop Production, Prague-Ruzyně, Czech Republic

The effect of two strategies, used to control Ostrinia nubialis, on the abundance and diversity of epigeic spiders and harvestmen in maize was monitored. The two strategies were (1) transgenic insect-resistant maize, and (2) biological control by Trichogramma wasps on an isogenic maize hybrid. They were compared with a conventional system (isogenic maize hybrid), which was taken as the control. The investigation was performed at two localities (Ivanovice na Hané and Prague) in the Czech Republic from 2002 to 2004. Spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones) were collected by means of pitfall traps. We found that the annual abundance and diversity of arachnids on plots with the two strategies were not significantly different from a conventional system. The overall abundance of spiders decreased over three years in all systems. There was no difference in the family and guild (hunters versus web-builders) composition between strategies and the conventional system. A displacement of linyphiid spiders with lycosids on all plots over time was observed. This change is attributed to the existence of a sparse weed cover of maize fields as a result of consecutive monocultural planting.

Keywords: Bt-maize; diversity; Trichogramma

Published: March 31, 2006  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Řezáč M, Pekár S, Kocourek F. Effect of Bt-maize on epigeic spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones). Plant Protect. Sci. 2006;42(1):1-8. doi: 10.17221/2689-PPS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. ALDERWEIRELDT M. (1989): An ecological analysis of the spider fauna (Araneae) occuring on maize fields, Italian reygrass fields and their edge zones, by means of different multivariate techniques. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 27: 293-306. Go to original source...
    2. ARPAS K., TOTH F., KISS J. (2004): Analysis of web content of Theridion impressum L. Koch (Araneae: Theridiidae) in BT (DK 440 BTY, MON 810, Cry1Ab) and isogenic (DK 440) maize. Bulletin OILB/SROP, 27: 23-29.
    3. BIGLER F., WALDBURGER M., FREI G. (1995): Krankheiten und Schaedlinge. Agrarforschung, 2: 380-382.
    4. BOGYA S., MOLS P.J.M. (1996): The role of spiders as predators of insect pests with particular reference to orchards: a review. Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 31: 83-159.
    5. CAGAN L., TANCIK J., BOKOR P., UHLIK V. (1995): Control of the European corn borer on maize. Acta Fytotechnica, 50: 53-55.
    6. CANDOLFI M.P., BROWN K., GRIMM C., REBER B., SCHMIDLI H. (2004): A faunistic approach to assess potential side-effects of genetically modified Bt-corn on nontarget arthropods under field conditions. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 14: 129-170. Go to original source...
    7. CRAWLEY M.J. (2002): Statistical Computing. An Introduction to Data Analysis using S-Plus. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester: 761.
    8. GATCH E.W., MUNKVOLD G.P. (2002): Fungal species composition in maize stalks in relation to European corn borer injury and transgenic insect protection. Plant Disease, 86: 1156-1162. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. HOLLAND J.M., WINDER L., WOOLLEY C., ALEXANDER C.J., PERRY J.N. (2004): The spatial dynamics of crop and ground active predatory arthropods and their aphid prey in winter wheat. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 94: 419-431. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. JIANG Y., FU Q., CHENG J., ZHU Z., JIANG M., YE G., transgenic Bt rice in herbivores and their predators. Acta Entomologica Sinica, 47: 454-460.
    11. LEDERBERGER S., BAUR B. (1998): Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Agelena labyrinthica (Clerck, 1757) webs (Agelenidae) in an unfertilized, calcareous grassland in the Swiss Jura mountains. Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 71: 257-283.
    12. LOZZIA G.C. (1999): Biodiversity and structure of ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera Carabidae) in Bt corn and its effects on non target insects. Bolletino di Zoologia Agraria e di Bachicoltura, 31: 37-50.
    13. LUDWIG J.A., REYNOLDS J.F. (1988): Statistical Ecology. A Primer on Methods and Computing. John Wiley and Sons, New York : 337.
    14. MANSOUR F., HEIMBACH U. (1993): Evaluation of lycosid, micryphantid and linyphiid spiders as predators of Rhopalosiphum padi (Hom.: Aphididae) and their functional response to prey density - laboratory experiments. Entomophaga, 38: 79-87. Go to original source...
    15. NENTWIG W., HÄNGGI A., KROPF C., BLICK T. (2005): Spinnen Mitteleuropas/Central European Spiders. An internet identification key. Version of 8. 12. 2003. Available at http://www.araneae.unibe.ch.
    16. NYFFELER M., BENZ G. (1987): Spiders in natural pest control: A review. Journal of Applied Entomology, 103: 321-339. Go to original source...
    17. NYFFELER M., SUNDERLAND K.D. (2003): Composition, abundance and pest control potential of spider communities in agroecosystems: a comparison of European and US studies. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 95: 579-612. Go to original source...
    18. OBRYCKI J.J., LOSEY J.E., TAYLOR O.R., JESSE L.C.H. (2001): Transgenic insecticidal corn: beyond insecticidal toxicity to ecological complexity. BioScience, 51: 353-361. Go to original source...
    19. PEKÁR S. (1997): Short-term effect of liquid fertilizer (UAN) on beneficial arthropods (Aranea, Opilionida, Carabidae, Staphylinidae). Ochrana Rostlin, 33: 17-24.
    20. PEKÁR S., KOCOUREK F. (2004): Spiders (Araneae) in the biological and integrated pest management of apple in the Czech Republic. Journal of Applied Entomology, 128: 561-566. Go to original source...
    21. PRUTZ G., BRINK A., DETTNER K. (2004): Transgenic insect-resistant corn affects the fourth trophic level: effects of Bacillus thuringiensis-corn on the facultative hyperparasitoid Tetrastichus howardi. Naturwissenschaften, 91: 451-454. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. R Development Core Team (2004): R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing Vienna, Austria. Available at http://www.R-project.org.
    23. REED G.L., JENSEN A.S., RIEBE J., HEAD G., DUAN J.J. (2001): Transgenic Bt potato and conventional insecticides for Colorado potato beetle management: comparative efficacy and non-target impacts. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 100: 89-100. Go to original source...
    24. RIECHERT S.E. (1992): Spiders as representative 'sitand-wait' predators. In: CRAWLEY M.J. (ed.): Natural enemies. The population biology of predators, parasites and diseases. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford: 313-328. Go to original source...
    25. SAXENA D., STOTZKY G. (2000): Insecticidal toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis is released from roots of transgenic Bt corn in vitro and in situ. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 33: 35-39. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. SEHNAL F., HABUŠTOVÁ O., SPITZER L., HUSSEIN H.M., RŮŽIČKA V. (2004): A biannual study on the environmental impact of Bt maize. IOBC Bulletin, 27: 147-160.
    27. ŠILHAVÝ V. (1971): Řád Sekáči - Opilionidea. In: DANIEL M., ČERNÝ V. (eds): Klíč zvířeny ČSSR IV. Československá akademie věd, Praha: 33-49.
    28. SMITH C.M. (1997): An overview of the mechanisms and bases of insect resistance in maize. In: MIHM J.A. (ed.): Insect resistant maize: recent advances and utilization. In: Proceedings of an International Symposium, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Mexico City, CIMMYT: 1-12.
    29. STEVENSON K., ANDERSON R.V., VIGUE G. (2002): The density and diversity of soil invertebrates in conventional and pesticide-free corn. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science, 95: 1-9.
    30. SZOKE C., ZSUBORI Z., POK I., RACZ F., ILLES O., SZEGEDI I. (2002): Significance of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hubn.) in maize production. Acta Agronomica Hungarica, 50: 447-461. Go to original source...
    31. TER BRAAK C.J.F., ŠMILAUER P. (2002): CANOCO Reference Manual and CanoDraw for Windows User's Guide. Software for Canonical Community Ordination (version 4.5). Wageningen and České Budějovice, Biometrics.
    32. VOLKMAR C., TRAUGOTT M., JUEN A., SCHORLING M., FREIER B. (2004): Spider communities in Bt maize and conventional maize fields. Bulletin OILB/SROP, 27: 165-170.
    33. WIEHLE H. (1937): 26. Familie: Theridiidae oder Haubennetzspinnen (Kugelspinnen). Spinnentiere oder Arachnoidea. VIII: Gnaphosidae-Anyphaenidae-Clubionidae-Hahniidae-Argyronetidae-Theridiidae. In: DAHL F. (ed.): Die Tierwelt Deutschlands. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena: 119-222.
    34. WOLD S.J., BURKNESS E.C., HUTCHINSON W.D., VENETTE R.C. (2001): In-field monitoring of beneficial insect populations in transgenic corn expressing a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin. Journal of Entomological Science, 36: 177-187. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content