Question

What type of plants can be genetically engineered and harm beneficial insects and biodiversity?

Answer 1

Too board for a single answer. See below.

Explanation:

Well, let's see... The thing is, genetic engineering is most commonly done to plants by selective breeding. The answer to your question is incredibly broad and spans many stipulations among different species of plants.

For example:
A plant may be genetically modified to produce more fruit, but it draws more nutrients from the soil. To members of Phylum Nematoda, the Earthworms (Animals not insects albeit), they may find it harder to find nutrients themselves in the soil. However, insects are a different story. There are a TON of insect species. I'm having trouble even thinking of a specific insect that would take harm from the genetic engineering of plants. It really depends on what the genetic engineering of the plant itself entails.

If anything, it could be more beneficial. We typically genetically modify plants to be more beneficial to us, and therefore, more nutritious. If anything, I think this qualifies as being more beneficial to insects.

This is just my two-cents though.