The Sublethal Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole to Helicoverpa armigera （Hiibner） larvae were evaluated through exposure of third instar larvae to the insecticide incorporated into an artificial diet. When larvae were fed on the insecticide-containing diet for 7 d, the LC10, LC20, LC40, and LC50values were 3.790, 7.977, 21.577, and 33.121 μg active ingredient L^-1, respectively. Chlorantraniliprole at sublethal concentrations significantly reduced the larval body mass, emergence ratio, adult longevity and egg hatching rate in both the parental and offspring generations. The pupation and copulation rate in the parental generation and the pupal mass in the offspring also strongly decreased. Reproduction was seriously disturbed in both the parental and offspring groups even when only one of the partners was exposed to chlorantraniliprole at larval stages. However, at the lowest concentration of exposure （LC^0）, offspring fecundity was strongly reduced only when both partners were exposed. The net reproductive rate （R0）, intrinsic rate of increase （rm）, and gross reproduction rate （GRR） at LC20, LC40 concentrations were significantly lower than that of the control. Post-exposure effects also included an extended larval developmental time and increased male proportion in both generations. The doubling time （Dt） at LC20, LC40 concentrations as well as gross reproduction rate （GRR） at LC10 concentration were also significantly increased. Chlorantraniliprole might have significant effects on H. armigera population dynamics even at sublethal concentrations on both parental and offspring generations.

Sublethal Effects of the Formamidine Amitraz on Honeybees Gut Lipids, Following in vivo Injections

The time-course and dose-related action of amitraz (AMZ) on gut lipids of worker honeybees were examined over 3 hours following in vivo injections of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 nmols of pesticide per bee. Significant decreases were observed at 30-45 min with 0.25 nmols per bee, for phospholipids, fatty acids, steroids and triacylglycerols. However increases were observed either later or with higher doses. The decreasing action observed with 0.25 nmol AMZ per bee was inhibited by simultaneous injections of the a antagonist phentolamine (from 0.25 to 2.0 nmols per bee). The toxicity of AMZ to honeybees thus likely involves the mobilization of lipids from the gut, via action of this formamidine pesticide on a-adrenoceptors.

Dynamics of a predator-prey system with sublethal effects of pesticides on pests and natural enemies

Considering the influence of sublethal concentration of pesticides on pests and natural enemies,we propose a pest-management model with impulsive effect on chemical control and biological control strategies periodic spraying pesticide and releasing predatory natural enemies.By using the Floquet theory and the comparison theorem of impulsive differential equations,a sufficient condition for the global asymptotic stability of the pest-eradication periodic solution is obtained.The persistence of the system is further studied,and a sufficient condition for the persistence of the system is obtained.Finally,some numerical simulations are shown to verify our theoretical works.Our works indicate that the sublethal effects of insecticides and the release of predatory natural enemies play significant roles in pest control in agricultural production.

A sublethal concentration of afidopyropen suppresses the population growth of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover(Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The cotton aphid,Aphis gossypii Glover(Hemiptera:Aphididae),is an important insect pest of cotton crops worldwide.The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity of afidopyropen and whether there are any effects of sublethal concentrations of afidopyropen on the biological characteristics of A.gossypii.The results showed that afidopyropen possesses high acute toxicity to adult A.gossypii with a 72 h LC_(50) value of 1.062 mg L^(–1).A sublethal concentration(LC_(10))of afidopyropen significantly decreased adult longevity,fecundity and oviposition days of female adults in both F0 and F1 generations.The total pre-adult survival of F_(1) progeny was also significantly reduced by 30%at the LC_(10) of afidopyropen.In addition,the nymph developmental time,pre-adult period,adult pre-reproductive period(APRP),and total pre-reproductive period(TPRP)of the F1 progeny were significantly prolonged compared with the control.Several population parameters,including the net reproductive rate(R_(0)),intrinsic rate of increase(r)and finite rate of increase(λ)of F_(1) progeny were significantly decreased by a sublethal afidopyropen concentration exposure.These results indicated that sublethal concentration of afidopyropen can significantly suppress A.gossypii population growth.It would be useful for assessing the overall effects of afidopyropen on A.gossypii.

Sub-Lethal Effects of Fenvalerate on the Development, Fecundity, and Juvenile Hormone Esterase Activity of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

The toxicities of fenvalerate （20% EC） to the 3rd instar larvae of diamondback moth （DBM）, Plutella xylostella （L.）, reared on three host plants viz., radish, oilseed rape, and cabbage were tested. The LC50 values of fenvalerate to the 3rd instar larvae of DBM varied with host plants, however, there wasn＇t any significant difference among them （P〉 0.05）. Similarly, DBM fed on three host plants had same pupal weight, pupal period, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, female ratio, and fecundity. The activity of juvenile hormone esterase （JHE, EC 3.1.1.1） in the 3rd instar larvae of DMB did not significantly vary with host plants, either. These suggested that DBM had similar fitness on the three host plant species. When fed on the host plants pretreated with fenvalerate at the concentrations equivalent to LC20, LC50 and LC50, the pupation rate, pupal weight, adult emergence rate, female ratio, fecundity, and JHE activity of the tested insects were declined as compared with insects in control treatments fed on the same host plant species. Furthermore, the pupal period of the tested insects was extended after fenvalerate treatment. The decrease in JHE activity after fenvalerate treatment in the tested insects could partly explain the changes in the mentioned growth parameters. Whether the role of fenvalerate in the inhibition of JHE activity could serve as a new way to control DBM needs further investigation.

Exposure to sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone alters sexual behavior and cuticular hydrocarbon profile in Heriades truncorum,an oligolectic solitary bee

The aboveground oligolectic bee,Heriades truncorum,is a particularly good model for studying the impact of pesticides on sexual communication,since some aspects of its mating behavior have previously been described.We have tested(1)the interference of the pesticide flupyradifurone on male precopulatory behavior and male mating partner preferences,(2)the way that the pesticide interferes in male quality assessment by the female,and(3)the effects of the pesticide on the chemical compounds in the female cuticle.We exposed bees of both sexes to a sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone.Various behaviors were registered in a mating arena with two females(one unexposed and one exposed)and one male(either unexposed or exposed).Unexposed males were quicker to attempt to mate.Treatment also impacted precopulatory behavior and male quality assessment by females.Males approached unexposed females more quickly than insecticideexposed ones.Females exposed to insecticide produced lower amounts of some cuticular hydrocarbons(sex pheromone candidates)and appeared less choosy than unexposed females.Our findings suggest that insecticide exposure affects sexual communication,playing a role both in male preference and in male quality assessment by the female.