Background The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), is a serious economic pest in Egypt. Pest control depends mainly on chemical control with several pesticides include conventional and modern insecticides. Comprehensive analysis of pesticides impacts needs to investigate sublethal effects in addition to lethal effect. Results In the current study, the leaf-dip bioassay method was used to evaluate emamectin benzoate (EMB) sublethal concentrations. Results showed that EMB proved high toxicity against S. littorals with LC50 value of 0.019 mg liter−1. Life table analysis showed that treatments with LC5 and LC15 prolonged larval period, mean longevity of males and females, mean generation time (T), doubling time (DT), adult preovipositional period (APOP), and total preovipositional period (TPOP) compared with control. On the contrary, net reproduction rates (R0), intrinsic rates of increase (r), finite rate (λ), fecundity, gross reproductive rate (GRR), and relative fitness were decreased compared to control. Conclusions The current study clarified that sublethal concentrations of EMB induce adverse effects and suppress the population growth of S. littorals. Our results would be useful to assess the overall effects of EMB on S. littorals and can contribute effectively in pest management.

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The journal of Toxicology and pest control is one of the series issued twice by the Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, and is devoted to publication of original papers related to the interaction between insects and their environment. The goal of the journal is to advance the scientific understanding of mechanisms of toxicity. Emphasis will be placed on toxic effects observed at relevant exposures, which have direct impact on safety evaluation and risk assessment. The journal therefore welcomes papers on biology ranging from molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and physiology to ecology and environment, also systematics, microbiology, toxicology, hydrobiology, radiobiology and biotechnology. www.eajbs.eg.net Provided for non-commercial research and education use. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.