Under field conditions, we investigated how transgenic Bt cabbage expressing the insecticidal Cry1Ac1 protein affects two target Lepidoptera species — Plutella xylostella (Plutellidae) and Pieris rapae (Pieridae) — as well as the structure of the local non-target arthropod community. When exposed to Bt cabbage line C30, Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae were significantly less abundant than when in the presence of the non-transgenic control. Multivariate analyses (PerMANOVA and NMDS) showed that composition of the non-target arthropod community was affected by sampling date but not by cabbage genotype. These results suggest that transgenic cabbage expressing Cry1Ac1 protein can be effective in controlling Plutella xylostella and Pieris rapae in the field and that cultivation of this cabbage may not adversely affect such non-target arthropod communities.

• Young-Joong Kim(Bio-Evaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Joon-Ho Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Chee Hark Harn(R&D Headquarters, Nongwoo Bio Co.)
• Chang-Gi Kim(Bio-Evaluation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology)