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Abstract
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One of the most important researches on genetically modified plants is impact of the plants on non-target arthropods. These
plants can direct effects (mortality) and indirect (via herbivores) on natural enemies. Improving the use of biotechnological plant
resistance for herbivore control critically depends on predictable interactions with nontarget organisms, including natural
enemies. Therefore in this research, the effect of Bt cotton and prey (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) on the Macrolophus pygmeus
Rambur. Feeding four diets including Bt-cotton+Bemisia tabaci (first group), non Bt-cotton+Bemisia tabaci (second group), Btcotton
(third group), non Bt-cotton (forth group) were used for experiments. The results showed that Bt-cotton, had direct
effect significantly and also through predator on development time and fecundity. Nymph development time in the first and
third group was 19.85±0.32 and 29.42±0.45 days respectively but this parameter in the second and forth group (control),
showed 16.08±0.24 and 23.11±0.23 days. Also, total lying eggs in treatment of non Bt-cotton+Bemisia tabaci was significantly
more than other groups (32.778±0.97). While, there was not any significant difference between Bt-cotton and non Bt-cotton
fecundity. Thus, the results indicated that the Bt-cotton has potential to affect severely fitness of Macrolophus pygmeaus,
directly or through effects on the prey, and therefore using transgenic plants as one of integrated pest management agent,
needs still more experiments and more care.
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