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Technology Growth Portfolio  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Fund Summary
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

The fund seeks capital appreciation.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and examples below. These figures also do not reflect any fees or charges imposed by participating insurance companies under their Variable Annuity contracts (VA contracts) or Variable Life Insurance policies (VLI policies), and, if such fees and/or charges were included, the fees and expenses would be higher.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 80.81% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 80.81%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then hold or redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect fees and expenses incurred under VA contracts and VLI policies; if they were reflected, the figures in the Example would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

To pursue its goal, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in the stocks of growth companies of any size that BNY Mellon Investment Adviser, Inc., the fund's investment adviser, believes to be leading producers or beneficiaries of technological innovation. Up to 25% of the fund's assets may be invested in foreign securities. The fund also may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated American Depository Receipts (ADRs).

In choosing stocks, the fund looks for technology companies with the potential for strong earnings or revenue growth rates. The fund's investment process centers on a multi-dimensional approach that looks for opportunities across emerging growth, cyclical or stable growth companies. The fund's investment approach seeks companies that appear to have strong earnings momentum, positive earnings revisions, favorable growth, product or market cycles and/or favorable valuations.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. It is not a complete investment program. The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.

● Technology company risk. The technology sector has been among the most volatile sectors of the stock market. Because the fund's investments are concentrated in the technology sector, its performance will be significantly affected by developments in that sector. Technology companies, especially small-cap technology companies, involve greater risk because their revenue and/or earnings tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses) and their share prices tend to be more volatile. Certain technology companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group. In addition, these companies are strongly affected by worldwide technological developments, and their products and services may not be economically successful or may quickly become outdated. Investor perception may play a greater role in determining the day-to-day value of tech stocks than it does in other sectors. Fund investments made in anticipation of future products and services may decline dramatically in value if the anticipated products or services are delayed or cancelled. The risks associated with technology companies are magnified in the case of small-cap technology companies. The shares of smaller technology companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the fund's ability to sell these securities.

● Risks of stock investing. Stocks generally fluctuate more in value than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is the chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and falling prices. The market value of a stock may decline due to general market conditions or because of factors that affect the particular company or the company's industry.

● Small and midsize company risk. Small and midsize companies carry additional risks because the operating histories of these companies tend to be more limited, their earnings and revenues less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices more volatile than those of larger, more established companies. The shares of smaller companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the fund's ability to sell these securities.

● Growth stock risk. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns.

● Foreign investment risk. To the extent the fund invests in foreign securities, the fund's performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting investments in foreign issuers. Special risks associated with investments in foreign issuers include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political and economic instability and differing auditing and legal standards. Investments denominated in foreign currencies are subject to the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect the value of these investments held by the fund.

● ADR risk. ADRs may be subject to certain of the risks associated with direct investments in the securities of foreign companies, such as currency risk, political and economic risk and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of the non-dollar denominated underlying foreign securities. Certain countries may limit the ability to convert ADRs into the underlying foreign securities and vice versa, which may cause the securities of the foreign company to trade at a discount or premium to the market price of the related ADR.

● Liquidity risk. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to sell the securities in a timely manner at or near their perceived value. In such a market, the value of such securities and the fund's share price may fall dramatically. Investments that are illiquid or that trade in lower volumes may be more difficult to value. Investments in foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities.

● Market risk. The value of the securities in which the fund invests may be affected by political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market.  In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the fund.  Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.  These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies world-wide.  Recent examples include pandemic risks related to COVID-19 and aggressive measures taken world-wide in response by governments, including closing borders, restricting international

and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations, and by businesses, including changes to operations and reducing staff. 

● Management risk. The investment process used by the fund's portfolio managers could fail to achieve the fund's investment goal and cause your fund investment to lose value.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney The fund's share price fluctuates, sometimes dramatically, which means you could lose money.
RIsk Not Insured [Text] rr_RiskNotInsured An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit. It is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the fund's Initial shares from year to year. The table compares the average annual total returns of the fund's shares to those of the NYSE® Technology Index, which is designed to objectively represent the technology sector by holding 35 of the leading U.S. technology-related companies, and the S&P 500® Index, a broad measure of market performance. The fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future. More recent performance information may be available at www.im.bnymellon.com.

Performance information reflects the fund's expenses only and does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies under their VA contracts or VLI policies. Because these fees and charges will reduce total return, policyowners should consider them when evaluating and comparing the fund's performance. Policyowners should consult the prospectus for their contract or policy for more information.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund.
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress www.im.bnymellon.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Year-by-Year Total Returns as of 12/31 each year (%)Initial Shares
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Performance information reflects the fund's expenses only and does not reflect the fees and charges imposed by participating insurance companies under their VA contracts or VLI policies.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter
Q2, 2020: 39.08%

Worst Quarter
Q4, 2018: -18.14%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 39.08%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2018
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (18.14%)
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes
Average Annual Return, Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption Average Annual Total Returns (as of 12/31/20)
Technology Growth Portfolio | S&P 500® Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 18.40%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.21%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 13.87%
Technology Growth Portfolio | NYSE® Technology Index reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 74.41%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 29.23%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 20.20%
Technology Growth Portfolio | Technology Growth Portfolio - Initial Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.03%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.78%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 80
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 249
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 433
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 966
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 80
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 249
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 433
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 966
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (7.78%)
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 15.62%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 32.80%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 6.82%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 6.16%
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 4.72%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 42.64%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (0.98%)
Annual Return 2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 25.82%
Annual Return 2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 69.92%
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 69.92%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 25.89%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 17.64%
Technology Growth Portfolio | Technology Growth Portfolio - Service Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.03%
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.03%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 105
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 328
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 569
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,259
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 105
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 328
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 569
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 1,259
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 69.57%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 25.58%
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 17.35%