Side effects of insecticides used in wheat crop on eggs and pupae of Chrysoperla externa and Eriopis connexa

Abstract

In Brazil, chemical control is one of the main tools to manage insect pests in wheat. However, this kind of management can impair the biological control provided by the predators Chrysoperla externa and Eriopis connexa. The present study evaluated the side effects on C. externa and E. connexa of 15 insecticides registered for wheat. Insecticides were sprayed on eggs and pupae via Potter tower at the maximum recommended dose. We evaluated the viability of eggs and pupae as well as the sub-lethal effects on fecundity and fertility of the adults emerged from treated pupae. The insecticides were classified according to the scale of toxicity proposed by IOBC. Regarding the eggs, the insecticide etofenprox was classified as slightly harmful (class 2) to C. externa. Imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin, diflubenzuron WG, thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin A and B, gamma-cyhalothrin, and etofenprox were also classified as slightly harmful (class 2) to E. connexa, while methomyl was classified as moderately harmful (class 3) for the eggs of the predator. The insecticide imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin was considered slightly harmful (class 2) to pupae of C. externa, while imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin, thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin A and B, and lufenuron were classified as slightly harmful (class 2) to the pupae of E. connexa. The insecticides beta-cyfluthrin, diflubenzuron SC, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, thiamethoxam, triflumuron, and zeta-cypermethrin were harmless to eggs and pupae of both predators and should therefore be prioritized in the control of insect pests in wheat, thus preserving the natural biological control provided by C. externa and E. connexa.