Synthesis of Novel Phenoxyacetamide Derivatives as Potential Insecticidal Agents Against the Cotton Leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis

Abstract Background The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), is a serious economic pest in Egypt. Pest control depends mainly on chemical control with several pesticides include conventional and modern insecticides. Comprehensive analysis of pesticides impacts needs to investigate sublethal effects in addition to lethal effect. Results In the current study, the leaf-dip bioassay method was used to evaluate emamectin benzoate (EMB) sublethal concentrations. Results showed that EMB proved high toxicity against S. littorals with LC50 value of 0.019 mg liter−1. Life table analysis showed that treatments with LC5 and LC15 prolonged larval period, mean longevity of males and females, mean generation time (T), doubling time (DT), adult preovipositional period (APOP), and total preovipositional period (TPOP) compared with control. On the contrary, net reproduction rates (R0), intrinsic rates of increase (r), finite rate (λ), fecundity, gross reproductive rate (GRR), and relative fitness were decreased compared to control. Conclusions The current study clarified that sublethal concentrations of EMB induce adverse effects and suppress the population growth of S. littorals. Our results would be useful to assess the overall effects of EMB on S. littorals and can contribute effectively in pest management.

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Efficacy of the parasitoid, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg masses

Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control ◽

10.1186/s41938-021-00363-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hend O. Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Spodoptera Littoralis ◽

Insect Pests ◽

Single Layer ◽

Control Agent ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Great Ability ◽

Egg Masses ◽

Cotton Leafworm ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽

Trichogrammatoidea Bactrae

Abstract Background The Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the major insect pests, causing a significant damage on different cultivated agricultural crops. Developing an alternative non-chemical tool, an effective and environmentally friendly method to suppress pest's infestation is essentially needed. Therefore, biological control by releasing the egg parasitoids could be the most promising tool for integrated pest management. Results This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the egg parasitoid, Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) as a bio-control agent against S. littoralis egg masses with different physical characteristics (number of egg layer and degree of scale density) in a no-choice and choice tests, under laboratory conditions. Also, the parasitoids’ fitness in terms of parasitism percentage, developmental period, adults’ emergence percentage, female offspring percentage, and longevity were investigated. The results revealed that T. bactrae wasps had a great ability to parasitize S. littoralis egg masses, but with different rates, related to their layers and scales’ thickness in both tests. The highest parasitism percentage was observed on one-layer eggs, followed by two layers. However, 3-layer eggs were the least preferable one. High numbers of adult emergencies (> 80%) were observed in all tested egg masses, except in the case of 3 layers with high scales. Furthermore, female-biased sex ratios were noticed at all examined eggs, with only the exception of high-scaly eggs with a single layer that recorded the lowest rate (≤ 45%). Besides, the survival of adult female parasitoids was not significantly affected in both tests. Conclusions T. bactrae could be used as a bio-control agent against S. littoralis egg masses with different physical characteristics based on the achieved results.

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