Effects of Transgenic Maize DBN9936 (Cry1Ab+EPSPS) and Maize Borer Feeding on Non-Target Organism 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, feeding experiments were carried out on Euborellia annulipes Lucas (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae) using two types of diets: maize (DBN9936 and parental maize DBN318) and maize combined with maize borers Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The survival rate, body weight, body length, reproductive efficiency, and activities of the 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 regarding egg production. The earwigs in the maize borer treatment groups produced significantly more eggs. Overall, the feeding experiments demonstrated that transgenic maize did not exert adverse effects on E. annulipes.