EFFECTS OF MAIZE EXPRESSING THE INSECTICIDAL PROTEIN CRY1AB ON NON-TARGET GROUND BEETLE ASSEMBLAGES (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE)

Ground beetle fauna, as well-known worldwide bioindicators, were studied in the large-scale Bt maize experiment in Poland. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the Bt maize variety in comparison to conventional plants on species from ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as non-target arthropods. A genetically modified Bt maize variety (DKC 3421 Yield Gard (R), event MON 810) and its near-isogenic DKC 3420 (unsprayed and sprayed with a lambda-cyhalotrine insecticide) were cultivated at 2 locations: Budziszw, near Wroclaw in south-western Poland, and in Gluchow, near Rzeszow in the south-eastern region, in 2008-2010. For comparative analysis two additional non-Bt varieties (Bosman and Wigo) were also included. To monitor population density of ground beetles, 80 pitfall traps were used at each location. Comparisons showed no significant differences between abundance and diversity patterns of ground beetles for the Bt maize, the near isoline and two local varieties. Some minor differences were with no clear tendencies related to Bt maize.