A correspondence to Nature four years ago reported a preliminary laboratory study that suggested pollen from from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn could be hazardous to the larvae of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus. Proven methods of risk assessment were used by a consortium of scientists to investigate the potential impact Bt corn pollen on the monarch butterfly. Toxicity of Bt corn pollen and larval exposure to harmful levels of pollen were investigated. Research indicates that the potential risk to monarch butterfly populations from Bt corn pollen is negligible. Importance of monarch migration and corn pollen dispersal for the risk assessment will be considered.
Species 1: Lepidoptera Danaidae Danaus plexippus (Monarch butterfly)
Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis, transgenic corn
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