Could resistance to transgenic plants produce a new species of insect pest?

Abstract:

Recent studies have shown developmental asynchrony between Bacillus thuringiensis resistant and susceptible strains to occur in two insect species, the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypella) and the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). With the widespread planting of B. thuringiensis transgenic crops, individuals of many pest species will be exposed to intense and continuous selection pressure. In species with such ecological adaptation to B. thuringiensis, developmental asynchrony, low movement between refugia and B. thuringiensis transgenic crops and hence assortative mating among resistant insects could lead directly to reproductive isolation. However, the relationship between resistance selection, time of resistance to B. thuringiensis and developmental time is likely to be complex and non-linear. Local, temporal and spatial factors may have a strong influence on the development of a speciation process. Whether a transgenic crop can maintain divergent selective conditions long enough for complete reproductive isolation to develop under field conditions remains to be seen. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Año de publicación:

2002

Keywords:

• Plutella xylostella
• Pectinophora gossypella
• B. thuringiensis
• Transgenic crops
• Sympatric speciation
• agroecosystem

Fuente:

scopus