Some ladybugs in Scotland have become very important this week because they may be the first proof that non-target species can be harmed by transgenic crops. Transgenic bio-engineering involves inserting genes into one species from another in order to gain some advantage.

Ladybugs -- or "ladybirds" if you are European -- have always been considered friendly insects in the garden and on the farm. They eat many insects that are harmful to crops and flowers. Ladybugs are part of the natural system.

The lifespan of ladybugs was reduced to half when they ate aphids that had fed on genetically altered potatoes in Scotland, according to a London Times article (10/22/97) by Science Editor, Nigel Hawkes. The ladybugs also laid fewer eggs.

Fears of genetic engineering critics were fanned by the news that ladybugs were damaged by eating insects feeding on altered potatoes.

Among the critics' concerns are: that non-target organisms may be affected by pesticide genes put into plants; that beneficial insects might be harmed; that unknown consequences may occur; and that ecosystems may be damaged.

Scientists in Scotland now urge caution in the introduction of genetically modified crops after discovering that they could harm ladybugs. Nick Birch and a team from the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee are responsible for discovering the reduced fertility and lifespan of the ladybugs.

The potato plant in question had been altered to produce a natural insecticide that deterred aphids from eating them. Non-potato genetic material is inserted into potatoes. While this did indeed discourage aphids, the reduction was not complete. The number of aphids on the potatoes was reduced by only 50% so that ladybugs were needed to eat the remaining aphids.

With the large number of transgenic crops being planted in the U.S. and the rest of the world, many unforeseen consequences may be released. In the annual report of the Institute, the team that worked on the ladybug research said the deleterious effects on the ladybugs suggested that genetically altered crops could have unexpected consequences.

I called the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee, Scotland, and got more of the story. Nick Birch, the researcher named in the London Times article, was not in his office at the time of my phone call. I spoke with an entomologist, Stuart Gordon, who shares an office with Birch.

The potatoes that adversely affected the ladybugs/ladybirds were transgenic. Genes from snowdrop lectin had been inserted in them. Gordon did not know the name of the poison, however. He was not directly involved in that project.

Birch, et al., plan to publish their research according to Gordon.

How did it get in the London Times? The Annual Report of the Institute describes research projects conducted. The London Times picked up the story from the annual report.

Gordon is passing a message on to Birch to send me the report. It has more information than Gordon, himself, could provide me.

I received a flood of inquiries as a result of my article, "Ladybug, quickly fly away home!" The following is a basic reference. The article in the London Times was was based upon the research of Birch, et al.

A.N.E. Birch, I.E. Geoghegan, M.E.N. Majerus, C. Hackette, & J. Allen, "Interactions between plant resistance genes, pest aphid populations and beneficial aphid predators," Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) Annual Report 1996-1997, esp. pp 70-72.

SCRI is located at Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA.

Telephone: National (01382) 562731
International +44 1382 562731

Fax: National (01382) 562426
International +44 1382 562426

The potatoes were transgenic, using an anti-insect gene encoding for the snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin - GNA).

A number of ecological "fitness indicators" were used to monitor the ladybirds fed on aphids from control or GNA potatoes. I called the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee, Scotland, and got more of the story. Nick Birch, the researcher named in the London Times article, was not in his office at the time of my phone call. I spoke with an entomologist, Stuart Gordon, who shares an office with Birch.

Gordon is passing a message on to Birch to send me the report. It has more information than Gordon, himself, could provide me.

11/20/97