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BACKGROUND Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been investigated recently for their use in agriculture. Depending on the insecticide, the hole size and the way they are produced, these nets can target different pests and therefore they could be interesting options for use in integrated pest management (IPM). As the information on their compatibility with beneficial fauna is practically negligible, in this work we have tested the compatibility of an experimental bifenthrin long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLITN) with Amblyseius swirskii and Eretmocerus mundus, important natural enemies of whiteflies and thrips, under laboratory, semi-field and commercial greenhouse conditions. RESULTS In the laboratory, the treated net was very deleterious to adults of both natural enemies, after 72 h exposure. However, in choice tests with Y-tubes, both natural enemies were neither attracted nor repelled by the treated net and no short-term mortality was detected in individuals that had crossed it. No deleterious effects on the E. mundus beneficial capacity were detected in semi-field trials. In field trials, the LLITN proved to be compatible with A. swirskii while decreasing pest densities. CONCLUSIONS Bifenthrin LLITN studied could be a valuable method for reducing pest population infestations in IPM programmes while being compatible with biocontrol agents. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) was found to be 7.5-fold less toxic in terms of LD[sub50] values against last-instar larvae of a greenhouse-selected strain of the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) that was collected in July 2001 in an experimental greenhouse for resistance at Murcia in southern Spain, in comparison with a laboratory susceptible strain. To date, the compound is the newest member of this new group of moulting hormone accelerating IGRs to reach the marketplace against Lepidoptera. To understand this different potency in the greenhouse-selected S exigua, oxidative metabolism and acetylcholinesterase activities were measured in last-instar larvae and adults. In addition, we determined, by the use of [sup14]C-labelled rnethoxyfenozide, the pattern of absorption in body tissues and excretion via faeces in last-instar larvae of the greenhouse-selected strain and compared the results with those from the laboratory susceptible strain. It was striking that the rate of excretion was about twice as high in the greenhouse-selected strain, resulting in a more rapid clearance of insecticide amounts from the insect body. Data are discussed in relation to mechanisms of lower toxicities for this new group of IGRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three novel insecticides, pyriproxyfen, spinosad and tebufenozide, were evaluated for their effect on survival and reproduction of Chrysoperla carnea adults using two methods of exposure: direct contact and ingestion. Pyriproxyfen and tebufenozide proved to be harmless to adult survival, whereas spinosad 72 h after treatment reduced the number of adults by 39.8% and 87.2% in topical and ingestion treatment at the maximum concentration recommended (800 mg a.i. litre[sup-1]). Fecundity was not affected irrespective of the insecticide or time of application (before or after the onset of oviposition). Concerning fertility, only pyriproxyfen exerted a negative effect on hatching when the eggs were deposited by females treated by ingestion in the post-oviposition period at the highest concentration tested (150 mg a.i. litre[sup-1]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]