Bt-Corn
Pollen Can Kill Monarchs
Pollen from corn engineered to
produce the biopesticide Bt can inadvertently kill monarch-butterfly
caterpillars.
References:
Hilbeck, A. 1998. Effects of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis
corn-fed prey on mortality and development time of immature Chrysoperla
carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Environmental Entomology
27(April):480.
Losey, J.E., L.S. Rayor, and M.E. Carter. 1999. Transgenic pollen
harms monarch larvae. Nature 399(May 20):214.
Further Readings:
Mlot, C. 1997. Pests find new ways around natural toxins. Science
News 152(Nov. 29):343.
Perkins, S. 1997. Transgenic
plants provoke petition. Science News 152(Sept. 27):199.
Information about monarch biology, conservation, and current research
can be found at the Monarch Watch Web site at http://monarchwatch.org/.
The Journey North Web site is dedicated to following the journeys
of a dozen migratory species through observations by student groups
throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This site is particularly notable
for providing information on the weekly northern movement of monarch
butterflies. It is available at: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/spring1999/species/monarch/index.html.
Sources:
Lincoln P. Brower
Sweet Briar College
Department of Biology
Sweet Briar, VA 24595
John E. Losey
Cornell University
Department of Entomology
Comstock Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Karen S. Oberhauser
University of Minnesota
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
1987 Upper Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
John J. Obrycki
Iowa State University
Department of Entomology
Ames, IA 50011
Linda S. Rayor
Cornell University
Department of Entomology
Comstock Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
From Science
News, Vol. 155, No. 21, May 22, 1999, p. 324.
Copyright © 1999, Science Service.
