Indirect effects of insect control strategies on weed populations are
important to consider when developing robust integrated pest management
strategies. Weed seed predation rates were investigated in corn managed
under three contrasting treatments based on control practices for corn
rootworm: (1) the transgenic crop Cry3Bb Bt corn, (2) the broad-spectrum
insecticide tefluthrin, and (3) no insecticide control. This 2-yr field
study conducted near Ithaca, NY, involved quantifying seed loss from
velvetleaf, common lambsquarters, and giant foxtail in arenas with and
without vertebrate exclosures. Velvetleaf and giant foxtail were unaffected
by the insecticide treatment; however, average seed predation of common
lambsquarters was lower in both the Bt corn (11.9%) and insecticide-treated
plots (11.8%) compared with control plots (17.5%) that did not receive any
insecticide. Seed predation of common lambsquarters was not affected by the
vertebrate exclosure. Lower seed predation in the transgenic Bt corn and
insecticide treatments was likely due to nontarget effects on carabids
(Coleoptera: Carabidae). Although the reduction in seed predation was modest
and limited to only one of the three weed species tested, our results
highlight the need for greater risk assessment that includes the ecosystem
service of weed seed predation when considering insect pest management
options.