Comparative toxicity of spinetoram to Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood and its parasitoid Eencarsia formosa Gahan

The role of selective new generation bioisecticides, beside their effectiveness against key pests, relies on safety to beneficial arthropods. Spinetoram, a semi-synthetic analogue the microbial-derived bioinsecticide spinosad is registered worldwide for application in numerous crops, but assessment its ecotoxicological risk arthropods has scarcely been documented. Moreover, this first report toxic effects spinetoram pest, greenhouse whitefly Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and/or successful biocontrol agent, parasitoid Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Under laboratory conditions, we assessed acute toxicity insecticide (25% a.i.) adults, nymphs and eggs whitefly, as well adults pupae. In all concentration-response bioassays, was applied tobacco leaves settled onto 1% agar layer ventilated Petri dishes using Potter spray tower. parameters both pest were evaluated residual contact while nymphs, pupae topically treated with series concentrations, covering range 10-90% mortality. Lethal E. through selectivity ratio (SR) estimations, showing ratios beetween median lethal concentrations (LC50s) estimated parasitoid, LC50s pest. following LC50 values obtained: 4.593, 15.027 11.73 mg a.i./l eggs, respectively, 0.686 1.715 pupae, respectively. calculated SR estimations below 1, indicating that non-selective tested stages formosa. A more detailed understanding impact integrated management requires further evaluation sublethal trials, an emphasis population-level responses.