Comparative demography of Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) reared on Bt rice and non-Bt rice

The insect-resistant rice variety mfb-MH3301-1, expressing Cry1Ab, has demonstrated robust resistance against Lepidopteran pests. However, its potential effects on non-target organisms warrant further investigation. This study evaluated the effects of mfb-MH3301-1 in comparison with the parental rice variety MH3301 (Oryza sativa L.) on the development of the insect pest Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) (Homoptera: Delphacidae). The results showed that there were no significant differences in female longevity, male longevity, lifespan, and mean generation time (T) between brown planthoppers fed on either mfb-MH3301-1 or MH3301. However, N. lugens individuals fed on mfb-MH3301-1 exhibited significantly higher fecundity, intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R₀) compared to those fed on MH3301. The study provides valuable insight into the management of N. lugens in the future cultivation of Bt rice, and attention should be paid to the population dynamics of N. lugens in the field.