Role of and as Vectors of spp. and Contribution of Corn Borer-Resistant Bt Maize to Mycotoxin Reduction.

Maize expressing Cry1Ab insecticidal toxin (Bt maize) is an effective method to control and , the most damaging corn borers of southern Europe. In this area, maize is prone to infections, which can produce mycotoxins that pose a serious risk to human and animal health, causing significant economic losses in the agrifood industry. To investigate the influence of corn borer damage on the presence of species and their mycotoxins, Bt maize ears and insect-damaged ears of non-Bt maize were collected from commercial fields in three Bt maize growing areas in Spain, and differences in contamination were assessed. Additionally, larvae of both borer species were collected to evaluate their role as vectors of these molds. Non-Bt maize ears showed significantly higher presence of , , and than Bt maize ears. For the first time, species have been isolated from larvae of the two species. The most frequently found mycotoxins in ears were fumonisins, with non-Bt ears being significantly more contaminated than those of Bt maize. High levels of fumonisins were shown to correlate with the occurrence of corn borers in the ear and the presence of and .