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Assessment of physiological sublethal effects of imidacloprid on the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür)

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Abstract

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is currently one of major mirid pests in the Yangtze River and the Yellow River regions in China. Imidacloprid (neonicotinoid) is widely used against pierce-sucking pest insects, including against A. lucorum. In addition to its direct lethal effect, multiple negative sublethal effects may also occur in exposed insects. We assessed potential sublethal effects of imidacloprid on some biological characteristics of A. lucorum with the aim of increasing rational use of imidacloprid against that cotton pest. The lethal toxicity of imidacloprid on adults of A. lucorum was determined in laboratory conditions by a topical application bioassay (LD50 = 6.70 ng a.i. [active ingredient]/A. lucorum adult). We also estimated a sublethal dose, LD5 (0.38 ng a.i./adult), a low lethal dose, LD25 (1.96 ng a.i./adult), and moderate lethal dose, LD40 (3.97 ng a.i./adult). The sublethal dose of imidacloprid (LD5) shortened the pre-oviposition period of females but increased the time required for eggs to develop (i.e. longer embryogenesis). The low lethal dose (LD25) also reduced the pre-oviposition period. Females exposed to the LD40 laid eggs that developed faster but overall percentage of eggs hatching was reduced. LD25 and LD40 reduced longevity of males but not of females. In addition, the susceptibility to seven insecticides generally used on Chinese crops was not modified in A. lucorum previously exposed to the LD25 of imidacloprid. Our results demonstrate sublethal effects of low doses of imidacloprid on A. lucorum (notably on pre-oviposition period and egg development) which may have an impact on population dynamics of this pest.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the Institute of Plant Protection, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences for providing A. lucorum populations. This work was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Contract no. 2012CB114103).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Yao Tan & Xi-Wu Gao

  2. French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), 400 Route Des Chappes, 06903, Sophia Antipolis, France

    Antonio Biondi & Nicolas Desneux

  3. Department of Agri-food and Environmental Systems Management, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy

    Antonio Biondi

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  1. Yao Tan
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Correspondence to Xi-Wu Gao.

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Tan, Y., Biondi, A., Desneux, N. et al. Assessment of physiological sublethal effects of imidacloprid on the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür). Ecotoxicology 21, 1989–1997 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-012-0933-0

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