Toxicity and sublethal effects of seven insecticides to eggs of the flower bug Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Abstract

The predatory bug Orius insidiosus is an important biological control agent of several insect pests, and is one of the most commonly used species in biological control programs worldwide. This study assessed the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on this species through life table, and classified the insecticides according to the definitions of toxicity given by the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC). A bioassay was carried out using a completely randomized design with eight treatments and 40 replicates. Eggs of O. insidiosus laid naturally in plant stems were immersed in aqueous solutions of the chemical products. Egg viability, duration of the embryonic period, survival of nymphs, and duration of the nymphal period were assessed daily. Insects that reached adulthood were paired and their reproduction assessed. The number of eggs produced and the survival of adults were assessed daily. The insecticides abamectin, cartap hydrochloride, spirotetramat+imidacloprid, and flubendiamid were classified as harmful. Pyriproxyfen and rynaxypyr were categorized as harmless and pymetrozine was classified as slightly harmful. Pyriproxyfen affected the population parameters rm, GT, DT, and λ, whereas other insecticides did not.

Toxicity and sublethal effects of six insecticides to last instar larvae and adults of the biocontrol agents Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

“…Despite outstanding characteristics as aphid predators, C. carnea and A. bipunctata do not always maintain populations of aphid pests below economic thresholds, and thus insecticides remain an important management tool in greenhouse IPM programmes to control key pests (Desneux et al, 2007;Obrycki et al, 2009). To generate the IPM guidelines for natural enemy conservation requires not only the assessment of insecticide lethal effects but also the possible sublethal effects in individuals who survive an exposure to a particular product (Desneux et al, 2007;Moscardini et al, 2013) because these effects could have an important effect on natural enemy population dynamics (Stark and Banks, 2003).…”

Efficiency of biological control for fall armyworm resistant to the protein Cry1F

“…The fall armyworm has diverse natural enemies, such as Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). These predators are efficient consumers of eggs and small caterpillars, acting as important biological control agents (Albajes et al, 2003;Silveira et al, 2004;Cruz et al, 1995;Figueiredo et al, 2006;Cruz, 2007;Pasini et al, 2007;Araújo et al, 2011;Mendes et al, 2012b;Moscardini et al, 2013;Wong and Frank, 2013). Predation is one of the most important ecological interactions for the stability of agroecosystems, given that predators are more generalist than parasitoids.…”

Selectivity of pesticides used in peach orchards to eggs and pupae of the predators Chrysoperla externa and Coleomegilla quadrifasciata

“…However, as can be observed, the insecticides probably were not able to penetrate through these holes, demonstrating that the pupa acts as a physical barrier, avoiding insect contamination and, consequently, not reducing the emergence of adults of C. externa (Table 2). Another issue related to the penetration of insecticides into the outer layer of eggs and pupae is related to the molecular weight of these products (MOSCARDINI et al, 2013). Thus, part of the insecticides, including the neurotoxic ones, were not toxic because their formulations were not able to penetrate the egg chorion.…”