The side effects of the insecticides endosulfan and deltamethrin were evaluated on the predator ant Azteca chartifex spiriti For., in cocoa agroecosystem of South-Eastern Bahia, according to standardization of the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS), with some adaptations to the neotropical conditions. The tests were: a) contact, b) direct spray, c) persistence. In contact tests, exposure of workers to fresh and dry films of insecticides were made. In spray tests, ant workers were directly sprayed with the pesticides. In both contact and spray tests, the insects were kept under controlled conditions of temperature (25±2°C), relative humidity (65±10%) and photoperiod (12h), with the survival evaluation taken 24h after and at variable intervals of time. In the semi-field tests, the insects were kept in glass plates and exposed on cocoa leaves, previously sprayed in the field, under the same controlled conditions. Trials were developed at one, three, six, 10, 18 and 32 days after treatment (DAT). Four categories were used to express the results. Deltamethrin was considered selective in contact and spray tests; then no further tests in semi-field were be necessary for this insecticide. Endosulfan in contact and spray tests was highly toxic (Class 4), though, in semi-field test was slightly persistent (Class 2) The agreement of results among the three types of test suggests that the products are selective for beneficial species, and can be recommended in IPM Programs in cocoa agroecosystem. The standard methodology proposed by IOBC/WPRS shows stability of results, allowing adaptation and utilization for this purpose.
Insecta; toxicology; predatory ant; biological control; insecticide
