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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #291291
Title: Demographic parameters of the insecticide-exposed predator Podisus nigrispinus: implications for IPM

Author
item DE CASTRO, ANCIDERITON - Universidade Federal De Vicosa
item PODEROSO, JULIO - Universidade Federal De Vicosa
item RIBEIRO, RAFAEL - Universidade Federal De Vicosa
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item SERRAO, JOSE - Universidade Federal De Vicosa
item ZANUNCIO, JOSE - Universidade Federal De Vicosa

Submitted to: BioControl
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2013
Publication Date: 3/24/2015
Citation: De Castro, A., Poderoso, J.C., Ribeiro, R.C., Legaspi, J.C., Serrao, J.E., Zanuncio, J.C. 2015. Demographic parameters of the insecticide-exposed predator Podisus nigrispinus: implications for IPM. Biocontrol. 60(2):231-239.

Interpretive Summary: The predatory stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus may be used together with insecticides in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs in agricultural and forestry systems. However, to be most effective, the insecticides should be relatively non-toxic to the predators. Therefore, scientists at the USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Center for Medical, Veterinary and Agricultural Entomology in Gainesville, Florida, tested the compatibility of 4 different insecticides with predators. Spinosad and methamidophos are incompatible with the use of the predatory stinkbug. Deltamethrin was slightly toxic and caused some reduction in egg production, but not lifespan. Chlorantraniliprole produced no reductions in either lifespan or reproduction of Podisus nigrispinus, and is most likely to complement the predator in a successful IPM program.

Technical Abstract: The predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) shows potential for Integrated Pest Management programs of defoliating caterpillars in agricultural and forestry systems. Insecticides can indirectly affect caterpillar predators through consumption of contaminated prey. We examined the survival, reproduction and population dynamics of the predator P. nigrispinus fed caterpillars of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on soybean leaves previously exposed to chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, methamidophos and spinosad. These insecticides were classified according to the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) toxicity categories. Caterpillars of A. gemmatalis were fed for 12 hours with treated soybean leaves and offered to adults of P. nigrispinus over five consecutive days. The percentage of mortality and the sublethal effects on reproduction of predator were summarized in a reduction coefficient (Ex). Spinosad and methamidophos were ranked as more harmful and damaging, causing high mortality; deltamethrin was slightly harmful and clorantraniliprole the most promising (innocuous) because of low toxicity to P. nigrispinus.