Transgenerational effects of diamide insecticides on Macrolophus basicornis, a predator of Tuta absoluta.

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the main pests of tomato crops worldwide. The release of predatory mirids in protected crops has been proven to be effective in several countries. Macrolophus basicornis (Stal) (Hemiptera: Miridae) stands out as a promising biocontrol agent of T. absoluta. However, the release of this predator can be compromised by hazardous chemical insecticides. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible transgenerational effects of the insecticides chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide on M. basicornis. The predator couples were treated with chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide at the maximum doses recommended for the control of T. absoluta in Brazil. Thereafter, they were placed on tomato plants for oviposition. The life history parameters, including survival rate, nymph duration, adult and total pre-oviposition periods, longevity of male and female, oviposition period and female fecundity of the progeny from the couples treated with the insecticides were evaluated based on the age-stage, two-sex, life table. The longevity of females and males and the total life cycle duration were not reduced by the compounds. Neither chlorantraniliprole nor flubendiamide reduced the r and R0 parameters in the F1 generation, however, the mean generation time (T) was high in the chlorantraniliprole treatment (51.57 days) followed by the untreated control (48.85 days) and flubendiamide treatment (47.27 days). Nevertheless, careful consideration is warranted, as flubendiamide might adversely affect the fecundity of this predator. Applying both insecticides studied could be a promising option for managing T. absoluta in tomato crops where M. basicornis is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]