Toxicity of Neonicotinoids to Ceratitis Capitata and Anastrepha Fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Abstract

Toxicity of Neonicotinoids toCeratitis CapitataandAnastrepha Fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae)The effects of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam againstCeratitis capitata(Wiedemann) andAnastrepha fraterculus(Wiedemann) adults were evaluated under broadcast spray and toxic bait systems in the laboratory. In general, whenC. capitataandA. fraterculuswere sprayed with insecticides, the time required for killing them was inversely proportional to the neonicotinoid concentrations. By cover spray, females and males ofA. fraterculuswere more susceptible to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam thanC. capitata, presenting significantly lower LT50. In the case of imidacloprid bait, no differences at LT50were detected between females or males of both fruit flies or between sexes of respective fruit fly species. In general,C. capitataandA. fraterculusadults died in all the toxic baits up to 7 days after application on citrus leaves in the field. The data emphasize the viability of the use of neonicotinoids for the control of fruit flies.