Investigation of sex ratio and adult longevity of Habrobracon hebetor Say in relation to some conventional and biorational insecticides

Abstract

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important natural enemies that has been used for biological control of lepidopteran pests, so the sub-lethal effects of imidacloprid, abamactin and Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) on progeny sex ratio (male/total) and adult longevity of H. hebetor were examined under laboratory conditions. It was found that the progeny sex ratio changed to male bias significantly by Bt treatment. Also, the adult longevity of the wasp was affected adversely by insecticides treatment and it was longest in Bt treatment. In conclusion, the current results indicated that the sub-lethal concentration of these insecticides affected the progeny sex ratio and adult longevity and the best strategies for reduction of hazard to the H. hebetor in combination with Bt is to avoid their application before Bt spraying.