The effects of cyflumetofen on life history traits and population parameters of Amblyseius swirskii</p >

Abstract

Even as new chemical substances show promise as selectivity for controlling pests due to their high effectiveness in inhibiting pests, their side effects on non-target organisms must nevertheless be evaluated before they can be included in integrated pest management systems. We examined both lethal and sublethal (LC10 and LC30) effects of cyflumetofen on the predatory potential of the Amblyseius swirskii Athias Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) which        is among the most dominant mite predators in tropical agricultural agroecosystems. The experiments were performed under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) hours. Results were analyzed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The data showed that sublethal concentrations of the pesticides suppress fecundity, total life span (both female and male individuals), and the intrinsic and finite rate of increase significantly. The result show, the fecundity in the LC10, LC30, and control was 14.97, 11.87, and 17.28, eggs/female for LC10 and LC30, respectively, showing significant differences. The values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) on the above-mentioned concentrations were 0.1333, 0.1166, and 0.1430 day-1, respectively. Consequently, according to the data, it seems that the selected acaricide is not suitable to use with A. swiriskii in integrated pest management programs due to their unfavorable effects on the population parameters of this predatory mite.