Residual toxicity and sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

BACKGROUND: The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.), is the most important pest of cruciferous vegetables in the world. Chlorantraniliprole is a novel anthranilic diamide insecticide registered for the control of lepidopteran pests. The dose response, residual toxicity and sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole applied for 48 h at LC10 (0.02 mg L−1) and LC25 (0.06 mg L−1) on P. xylostella were investigated. RESULTS: Leaf‐dip bioassays showed that chlorantraniliprole had a high level of toxicity against larvae of P. xylostella, and the 48 h LC50 values were 0.23 and 0.25 mg L−1 for a susceptible and field strain respectively. Chlorantraniliprole also had a long‐lasting effect when the larvae were exposed to chlorantraniliprole field sprayed on radish seedlings. Sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole were indicated by reduced pupation, pupal weight and adult emergence rates. There was also an increase in the duration of female preoviposition period, decreased fecundity and egg hatch and decreased survival rates of the offspring. The mean values of the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly lower in the treatment than in control groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that chlorantraniliprole is effective against P. xylostella. The sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole may reduce the population growth of P. xylostella by decreasing its survival and reproduction, and by delaying its development. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry