Effect of transgenic Bt corn pollen and glyphosate-resistant canola pollen on the survival of the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) worker larvae and the use of Bt corn pollen as a controlling method for the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella L.)

The honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a valuable pollinator, is one of the most important insects in the world's agriculture and food industry. With the recent concern about the effects of transgenic crops on non-target insects, the effects of transgenic crops on the honey bee must be evaluated. The effect of glyphosate resistant canola pollen and Bt transgenic corn pollen (Cry1F and Cry1Ab) on 4--5 d old honey bee worker larvae was tested in the field. Percent larval mortality, mean pupal weight, blood protein level of newly emerged adults, and percent adult emergence were determined for bees fed transgenic or non-transgenic pollen. There were no significant differences in the above parameters between larvae fed glyphosate resistant canola pollen and non-transformed canola pollen (P > 0.05). There were no differences in the parameters between larvae fed transgenic corn pollen and non-transformed corn pollen. The use of Bt transgenic corn pollen as a control of the greater wax moth was tested in the laboratory. Mortality of larvae fed Cry1F corn pollen was significantly different from larvae fed Cry1Ab corn pollen and non-transformed corn pollen (P < 0.05). Cry1F corn pollen appears to be a good control of wax moth larvae in the laboratory. These results suggest that there is a possible benefit of transgenic corn and canola pollen for bees.