Pedro Del Estal

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Methoxyfenozide and Spinosad on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract Susceptibility to methoxyfenozide ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was determined through exposure of neonate and fourth instars to dipped and sprayed pepper,Capsicum annum L., leaves. Methoxyfenozide and spinosad were tested against adults of this noctuid by oral, residual, and topical application. In larvae, we evaluated five (range, 0.001–10 mg active ingredient [AI]/liter) and six (range, 1–250 mg [AI]/liter) concentration levels by instars, respectively, by using two application methods at three different age leaf residues (0, 3, and 6 d after application). According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between the same age leaf residues of both application methods at 96 and 72 h after ingestion treatment on neonates and fourth instars, respectively. Nevertheless, toxicity of methoxyfenozide decreased significantly after time. For both application methods, the LC50 values of the first leaf residue (0 d after application) were significantly lower than those of 6-d-old residues. Furthermore, larval weight of fourth instars fed for 48 h with pepper,Capsicum annum L., leaves containing methoxyfenozide was significantly suppressed. Spinosad and methoxyfenozide reduced in a dose-dependent manner the fecundity and fertility ofS. littoralis adults when treated oral and residually. Likewise, when methoxyfenozide was administered orally in three different adult crosses, the fecundity was strongly affected, independently of the treated sex. We conclude that the combination of lethal and sublethal effects of methoxyfenozide and spinosad might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics ofS. littolaris.

Influence of Azadirachtin and Methoxyfenozide on Life Parameters of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

ABSTRACT Effects on adult longevity, fecundity and fertility, as well as long-term effects on progeny were determined through oral exposure of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) adults to azadirachtin and methoxyfenozide. Both compounds reduced adult longevity by 2.3 d at the higher concentrations tested, but no significant differences were observed between sexes. Fecundity and fertility were significantly affected for both insecticides, although this effect was only dose-dependent for azadirachtin. The progeny from adults treated with azadirachtin or methoxyfenozide were only affected in percentage of pupation of eggs that successfully hatched, but no effects were observed in adult emergence of individuals that successfully pupated for either insecticide. In the second part of this study, each sex was exposed separately to methoxyfenozide by topical application or ingestion. Adult fecundity was more affected when moths were treated by ingestion than when treated topically, with a mean number eggs laid per female of 343 ± 89 and 932 ± 79, respectively. Finally, azadirachtin applied to pepper plants showed a significant oviposition deterrence activity on S. littoralis adults. However, when fecundity was scored for one additional day in females that had been previously exposed to pepper, Capsicum annum L., plants treated with this insecticide, the number of eggs laid per female did not differ significantly from that of controls. The effects of azadirachtin and methoxyfenozide on S. littoralis suggest changes in population dynamics of this pest in crops treated with these insecticides.

Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of Spinosad and Methoxyfenozide to Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract The toxicity of spinosad and methoxyfenozide against neonates and fourth instars of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was tested under laboratory conditions. According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between spinosad (0.50 mg [AI]/kg diet) and methoxyfenozide (0.54 mg [AI] /kg diet) after 48 h of ingestion treatment on neonate larvae, based on the overlap of 95% CL. Similarly, on fourth instars, no significant differences were observed between LC50 (2.98 and 5.17 mg [AI]/kg diet for spinosad and methoxyfenozide, respectively, at 96 h after ingestion of artificial diet) and LD50 (4.74 and 2.68 μg [AI]/g larva for spinosad and methoxyfenozide, respectively, at 144 h after topical application). In addition, spinosad and methoxyfenozide significantly suppressed weight gain of neonates and fourth instars continuously fed with artificial diet containing the insecticides. The second part of this project was focused on the effects of methoxyfenozide on the reproduction of S. littoralis by determining the effect on oviposition in three different crosses and the pharmacokinetics pattern of (14C)-methoxyfenozide in the body tissues of female and male adults after topical application in their excrement and in the deposited eggs to test transport through the female and the male adult. Methoxyfenozide negatively affected the reproduction of adults regardless the treated sex, presumably because of its presence in the adult body, accumulation in the laid eggs, and slow excretion of the product. We conclude that spinosad and methoxyfenozide represent an important choice to be used in integrated pest management where S. littoralis is a major pest.

Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity of Fipronil and Imidacloprid on Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

ABSTRACT Psyttalia concolor (Szèpligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont endoparasitoid of several species of tephritid (Diptera) larvae, such as Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Here, we report on the effects of imidacloprid and fipronil on P. concolor females, when different routes of exposure were evaluated: residual contact (cover and bait sprays) and via treatment of host species. Moreover, the persistence of the bait formulated compound also was studied. For each experiment, lethal (mortality) and sublethal effects (parasitization rate or longevity) were studied. Fipronil produced 100% mortality irrespective of exposure route, and it was very persistent, because 34-d-old residues still produced this high mortality rate, being as toxic or even more toxic than the reference product dimethoate. Toxicity of imidacloprid depends on the mode of exposure, although always remained less toxic than dimethoate. Imidacloprid caused high mortality or sublethal effect to the progeny in cover sprays and when applied via treated host, being harmless in bait sprays application. In conclusion, our results suggest that fipronil should not be used in the field when the parasitoid is present. On the contrary, although imidacloprid is physiologically active against females of P. concolor, ecological selectivity may result through the use of bait treatment.

Non-target effects of kaolin and coppers applied on olive trees for the predatory lacewing Chrysoperla carnea

Kaolin clays and copper salts might be considered as alternative chemical control products for controlling olive pests in the contexts of both organic farming and integrated pest management programmes. Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neur. Chrysopidae) represents one of the most significant generalist predators of olive grove pests. In this study, we evaluated the side effects of these compounds on the predatory lacewing. First, kaolin and two copper salts (copper oxychloride and Bordeaux mixture) were tested on C. carnea eggs to determine their effects on egg viability and larval hatching suppression by topical application. Second, L3 larvae were exposed to the pesticide residues on treated olive tree leaves. Third, a series of three residual tests in adults were sequentially performed as follows: residues on glass surfaces, on olive tree leaves and on small olive trees. Finally, kaolin- and water-treated eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lep. Pyralidae) were offered to L3 larvae in both dual- and no-choice tests. C. carnea egg hatching was reduced by the kaolin treatment compared to the control treatment. Residual treatments were harmless to larvae and adults, without any deleterious effects on reproduction. L3 larvae consistently preferred to feed on water-treated E. kuehniella eggs compared to kaolin-treated eggs. The larvae from the no-choice test that had fed ad libitum until pupation on kaolin-treated E. kuehniella eggs, pupated and emerged as healthy adults in reduced proportions compared with those that fed on water-treated eggs. In conclusion, our data suggest that both kaolin and copper products appeared to be largely harmless or only slightly harmful to the predator.

Efficacy of a Long Lasting bifenthrin-treated net against horticultural pests and its compatibility with the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii and the parasitic wasp Eretmocerus mundus.

BACKGROUND Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been investigated recently for their use in agriculture. Depending on the insecticide, the hole size and the way they are produced, these nets can target different pests and therefore they could be interesting options for use in integrated pest management (IPM). As the information on their compatibility with beneficial fauna is practically negligible, in this work we have tested the compatibility of an experimental bifenthrin long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLITN) with Amblyseius swirskii and Eretmocerus mundus, important natural enemies of whiteflies and thrips, under laboratory, semi-field and commercial greenhouse conditions. RESULTS In the laboratory, the treated net was very deleterious to adults of both natural enemies, after 72 h exposure. However, in choice tests with Y-tubes, both natural enemies were neither attracted nor repelled by the treated net and no short-term mortality was detected in individuals that had crossed it. No deleterious effects on the E. mundus beneficial capacity were detected in semi-field trials. In field trials, the LLITN proved to be compatible with A. swirskii while decreasing pest densities. CONCLUSIONS Bifenthrin LLITN studied could be a valuable method for reducing pest population infestations in IPM programmes while being compatible with biocontrol agents.

Compatibility of sulfoxaflor and other modern pesticides with adults of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. Residual contact and persistence studies

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a very efficient generalist predatory mite of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), worldwide released in horticultural greenhouses. Here, the toxicity of sulfoxaflor and other ten pesticides to A. swirskii adults when applied at their maximum field rate was assessed in the laboratory in terms of mortality and reproductive performance. The duration of the harmful activity when residues were aged under greenhouse was assessed for compounds not classified as harmless in the laboratory, based on the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) rules. Sulfoxaflor as well as flonicamid, flubendiamide, metaflumizone, methoxyfenozide, spiromesifen, and spirotetramat were harmless, emamectin was slightly harmful and abamectin, deltamethrin and spinosad were harmful. Emamectin was short-lived and abamectin, deltamethrin and spinosad were slightly persistent under our conditions.