Side-effects of pesticides on the generalist endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract

New plant protection strategies focus on minimizing chemical pesticide use and increasing their compatibility with biological control agents. The objective was to evaluate the side-effects of glyphosate, diflubenzuron, malathion, tebuconazole and triflumuron (at 720, 45, 400, 150 and 20 g ai ha−1, respectively), pesticides authorized for soybean crops in Brazil, on the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reared on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The emergence and female numbers produced per P. elaeisis female were higher in A. gemmatalis pupae from caterpillars fed an artificial diet treated with glyphosate. However, emergence was lower than 50% when the caterpillars were fed on soybean leaves treated with glyphosate offered ad libitum (3–5 times). Palmistichus elaeisis died before parasiting A. gemmatalis pupae treated with malathion. Diflubenzuron reduced the P. elaesis sex ratio in the second generation. Tebuconazole and triflumuron did not cause side-effects on this parasitoid. A continuous exposure to glyphosate by the host may lead to side-effects on P. elaeisis emergence, but its moderate use is acceptable for this parasitoid. Diflubenzuron had severe transgenerational side-effects. Tebuconazole fungicide and triflumuron insecticide are compatible with P. elaeisis in sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) programs, while malathion can not be included in them.

Mixture compatibility of ChinNPV baculovirus with herbicides and fungicides used in soybean

“…In the present study, it was proved that some of the most commonly used fungicides and herbicides in soybean crops can be used in a mixture with ChinNPV in a tank without reducing its pathogenicity to C. includens compared to the isolated spray of baculovirus. In soybean, a similar combination of tools to manage different pests has been previously reported in the literature with the simultaneous use of the herbicide Roundup Ready® and the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), which controls Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) (De La Cruz et al, 2017). The active ingredients of the fungicides myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, and cyprodinil + fludioxonill has been shown to be safe for Orius insidiosus Say, 1832 (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), which is a generalist predator present in different major crops (Gradish, Scott-Dupree, Shipp, Harris, & Ferguson, 2011).…”

Estragole-rich essential oil of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) as an eco-friendly alternative to the synthetic insecticides in management of two stored-products insect pests

“…Synthetic pesticide residues can be found in different parts of our surrounding environment from water and soil to everybody's foods and even human breast milk samples (Damgaard et al, 2006;Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al, 2016;Trdan, 2016). Regarding the pests' management, due to the overusing of synthetic chemicals, the other side-effects such as resurgence and outbreak of new pests, several pest-resistant reports on the different classes of synthetic pesticides, and detrimental effects on valuable noun-target organisms including parasitoids and predators have also been documented (Köhler et al, 2013;Cruz et al, 2017;Sudo et al, 2018). Therefore, urgent efficacious tools for the reduction of synthetic chemical utilization and for announcing ecofriendly agents with fewer public health risks are required.…”

Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) rearing in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) submitted to different diets*

“…Parasitoids can control populations of insect pests and stand out as one of the main groups of natural enemies. Several species of parasitoids are efficient and have been studied to be used in applied biological control programs (CRUZ et al, 2017;MARTINS et al, 2019).…”