Side-effects of pesticides on the predatory bug Orius laevigatus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in the laboratory

Laboratory trials were carried out in order to test the effects of 29 pesticides on the predatory bug, Orius laevigatus. To evaluate residual contact activity, newly moulted fourth instar nymphs of O. laevigatus were placed on treated Petri dishes and their mortality was checked after 7 days. The fecundity of surviving females was tested for 14 days. Young O. laevigatus adults were fed with eggs of Ephestia kuehniella, treated with the (above-mentioned) pesticides, to assess the effect of pesticides by ingestion. Adult mortality, female fecundity and egg hatching were recorded. Azadirachtin, granulosis virus products, mineral oil, pirimicarb, tebufenozide, clofentezine, hexythiazox and copper oxychloride had no significant effect on the survival and fecundity of O. laevigatus when predators were exposed to pesticide residues by contact or by ingestion. Triflumuron and diflubenzuron appeared to be harmless by contact, but diflubenzuron was slightly toxic when ingested. Buprofezin and teflubenzuron were slightly to moderately toxic, while hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron, and lufenuron showed a marked toxicity by contact as well as by ingestion. A number of organophosphates, endosulfan and deltamethrin were detrimental especially by contact. Imidacloprid was very toxic by contact but only slightly toxic when ingested. Indoxacarb and methoxyfenozide were less toxic than imidacloprid. These findings should be considered when releases of O. laevigatus are used in greenhouses or on outdoor crops.