Revisiting the Impacts of Bt-corn on Non-Target Lepidoptera: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This scoping review sought to verify the conclusions of Lang and Otto’s (2010) publication assessing the risk of Bt-corn on non-target lepidopteran species. Bt-corn has been an innovation in the agricultural sector in regard to increasing yield while minimizing pesticide application. If the EPA deemed Bt-corn harmful to unintended protected species, it would be subjected to planting restrictions, such as buffer zones, that safeguard habitats. In addition to replicating the literature review, the time period was increased to include contemporary research through December 2023 and search terms were added to include emerging technology. The sixteen laboratory studies used in Lang and Otto’s paper were successfully identified during the search process. Three additional published laboratory studies were identified by the search. One identified article was published prior to 2010, and the other two were published between 2010 and 2023. No additional field studies were identified during the expanded scoping review. The results from this scoping review support conclusions of the original paper that pollen from Bt- corn does not pose a significant risk to non-target lepidopteran species.