Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Toxins on Developmental and Reproductive Characteristics of the Predator Orius albidipennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) Under Laboratory Conditions

The effects of Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis</it> (Berliner) (Bt</it>) on the anthocorid Orius albidipennis</it> Reuter were studied under laboratory conditions. Tritrophic experiments were performed, in which Orius</it> nymphs were fed Helicoverpa armigera</it> (Hübner) larvae reared on a diet with Cry1Ac, Cry1Ab, or Cry2Ab toxins at different concentrations (0, 1, and 10 µg/ml), when supplemented with Ephestia kuehniella</it> Zeller eggs. In complementary experiments, the Bt</it> Cry1Ac toxin was directly fed to Orius</it> nymphs at a very high concentration (1 mg/ml). No effects on prey consumption, developmental time, nymph survival, fecundity, and egg hatching of O. albidipennis</it> were found in either experiment. It can be concluded that the toxins tested do not seem to pose a risk for the anthocorid O. albidipennis</it>, especially when it is exposed through the prey.