Effects of insecticides on lesser mealworm (<i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i>) – bioaccumulation, mortality, and growth

The lesser mealworm (LMW, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer); Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is increasingly used as a novel food and feed source. materials on which this insect species reared may contain residues of insecticides from agricultural use. objective study was to determine whether selected insecticides, spiked the substrate, could bioaccumulate in LMW and/or affect growth or survival. Insecticides were at concentrations equal legal limit EU. Tested substances chlorpyrifos, propoxur, imidacloprid, spinosad, tebufenozide, fipronil, pirimiphos methyl, cypermethrin, synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO). Cypermethrin PBO also tested together. Insecticide substrate larvae determined by LC-MS/MS. Concentrations largely below quantification, meaning that bioaccumulation did not occur. Significant reductions total yield observed for spinosad (present 1.6 mg/kg) imidacloprid (0.12 mg/kg). Spinosad one few permitted be organic agriculture, raises questions over safety produce rearing. More research treated with insecticide rearing therefore highly recommended. reported harmful effects need accounted lowering current limits reconsidering approval advised particularly sublethal adult beetles.