Evaluation of impacts of the transgenic (PRSV) resistant papaya to environmental insects and mites
were conducted at the isolated net house and the isolated field at ARI from May 2002 to November 2003.
Species of pest insects and natural enemies and population fluctuations of the main pests on papaya were
surveyed. Species of insects and mites occurred on transgenic and control papayas were the same. These
included aphis gossypii, Bemisia argentiflii, Anoidiella inornata, Aleurodicus dispersus, Pieris rape
crucivora, Spodoptera litura, Illeis koebelei, Stethorus sp., Tetranychus kanzawai, and Amblyseius ovalis.
Of them, T. kanzawai was the most common pest. The population fluctuations of this mite on both
transgenic and non-transgenic papayas were similar. Other possible impacts discussed included the
impacts on insect-pollinators, conserved or threatened insects, soil insects and birds. It is concluded that
the risk of the transgenic papaya to insects, mites and birds in environments were very low.
