Ecotoxicity testing of non-target organisms is an important component of the product development process for insecticidal crystal proteins (ICP’s). Tier 1 laboratory tests screen for effects at elevated exposures through use of purified proteins administered in artificial diet. Tier 2 laboratory studies consider environmentally relevant food sources, exposure routes, and concentrations. This poster discusses laboratory evaluations of Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 on the ladybird beetle Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer, an important predator that is commonly found in agricultural ecosystems. Maize hybrids expressing Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 ICP’s are being jointly developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Dow AgroSciences LLC for control of the larval stage of corn rootworm. Understanding the non-target effects of this product is a key step in the pre-commercial ecological safety assessment.
Species 1: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Coleomegilla maculata (pink spotted lady beetle)
Keywords: Non-target organism, Early tier evaluation
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