Title:
Effects of muliple insect resistant maize varieties on honeybees
Project management at the University of Würzburg:
Participating scientists:
Abstract:
The honeybee, Apis mellifera is one of the most valuable pollinators for wild and crop plants in the world. In our project we are testing the effects of a multiple insect resistant maize variety (Mon88017 x Mon89034) on honeybees. The following topics will be investigated in detail:
1) The effect of Bt pollen on the development of honeybee larvae, adults, as well as the colony
2) Combined effects of Bt toxins and bee pathogens on honeybees
3) Indirect effects of Bt toxins on parasites of honeybees
4) The utilisation of corn pollen by honeybees in differentially structured landscapes
As methods, we will use feeding experiments with Cry proteins and Bt pollen in the laboratory. Furthermore, we will evaluate the influence of stacked Bt pollen on standardised test colonies in the field using tunnel tents. Lastly, a GIS supported analysis of corn pollen utilization of honeybee colonies is conducted.
Key words:
Honeybees
Environmental risk assessment
Transgenic maize
Pollination
GMO
Projekt period: from 05.2008 to 04.2011
Funding institution:
Bund
Publications: