Effects of Transgenic Maize and Maize Borer Feeding on the Non-Target Organisms Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae)

The impacts of transgenic maize on non - target organisms serve as a crucial parameter for evaluating the environmental safety of transgenic maize. In the present study, short - term and long - term feeding experiments were carried out on Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) using two types of diets: maize (including both transgenic and non - transgenic varieties) and maize combined with maize borers (Ostrinia furnacalis). The survival rate, body weight, body length, reproductive efficiency, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) of the predator were monitored. Moreover, the residual concentration of exogenous protein in the bodies, eggs, and feces of the earwigs was measured. The experimental findings indicated that there were no significant disparities in the aforementioned indicators between the transgenic and non - transgenic maize treatment groups. Nevertheless, differences were detected between the maize treatment groups and the maize borer treatment groups, especially with regard to egg production. The earwigs in the maize borer treatment groups produced significantly more eggs. Overall, the short - term and long - term feeding experiments demonstrated that transgenic maize did not exert adverse effects on E.annulipes.