Does Bt-corn affect beneficial insects?
Bt-corn developed from the subspecies Bt kurstaki is highly selective against caterpillars, so it does not directly affect the predators found in cornfields. In studies conducted thus far, Bt-corn has had no direct effects on lady beetles, green lacewing larvae, spiders, minute pirate bugs, and parasitic wasps. Any indirect effects on populations of beneficial insects caused by the removal of corn borers as a food source for predators and parasitoids remain unknown. Is Bt-corn safe, or does it pose any hazards to the environment? Bacillus thuringiensis is not toxic to humans, other mammals, birds, fish, or bees. The use of Bt in formulated insecticides (for example, DiPel) has been registered for many years. Microbial insecticides that contain Bt are suggested for control of European corn borers in seed-corn fields where detasselers will be working. Because of its safety and the rapid degradation of Bt toxins on plant surfaces and in Bt-corn as the plants die, Bt is exempt from the nee
