| The influence of Roundup Ready soybean system on pest and beneficial insects was investigated in wide-row and narrow-row plantings and a laboratory study. Infestations of bean leaf beetle and three-cornered alfalfa hopper adults, and green cloverworm and velvetbean caterpillar larvae during the 1997 and 1998 growing seasons were not influenced by Roundup Ready soybean in either row-spacing. Densities of these insects were not affected by scheduled or delayed glyphosate applications or methyl parathion applications. Densities of bean leaf beetle and three-cornered alfalfa hopper were not influenced by weed densities in either row-spacing.;Big-eyed bug adults were not affected by the transgenic soybean in either row-spacing. Glyphosate applications had various effects on the insect which may be due to changes in weed flora, whereas methyl parathion had no effect. Glyphosate had no effect on mortality of big-eyed bug eggs, nymphs, or adults, or fecundity in laboratory assays. |
