Development and standardisation of an ecotoxicological test method using fungus gnat larvae for the risk assessment of genetically modified plants

Prior to releasing genetically modified plants (GMPs) into the environment and placing them on the market in the European Union, an environmental risk assessment has to be performed according to Directive 2001/18/EC. Based on the results of a previous project conducted from 2012 to 2016 (for more information, see the project description and the publication of Jänsch et al. 2018) the present project has two aims: (1) The previously developed method uses the black fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens (Diptera). However, at Central European crop sites, the species Lycoriella castanescens is more widely distributed. Therefore, the method has been adapted as far as possible to include this ecologically more relevant species. (2) The modified test method has been used to study the effects of genetically modified maize material on B. impatiens and L. castanescens to verify and confirm results obtained in the previous project. In addition, an arthropod species (probably a Collembolan) is identified as possible alternative test species to investigate the effects of genetically modified maize material on soil organisms. The final aim of the project is to prepare a draft test guideline for these invertebrate tests, probably according to OECD requirements.

 

Last update: October 2022