The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect the insecticides endosulfan (1.05 g a.i./L), esfenvalerate (0.075 g a.i./L), fenpropathrin (0.09 g a.i./L), trichlorfon (0.09 g a.i./L) and triflumuron (0.0375 g a.i./L), used to control Alabama argillacea (Hübner), on eggs and larvae of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen), under greenhouse conditions. Egg viability, duration of the embryonic period and survival of first-instar larvae ecloded from treated eggs were evaluated. For first, second and third-instar larvae treated with the insecticides, subsequent survival of the larvae and pupae, as well as viability of the eggs produced by the emerged adults, were evaluated. The insecticides esfenvalerate and triflumuron caused a significant increase in the embryonic period of C. externa. Endosulfan, fenpropathrin, trichlorfon and triflumuron were highly toxic to larvae, with mortality rates ranging from 71% to 100%. Esfenvalerate caused only about 20% mortality of the first- and third-instar larvae and 38% of the second-instar larvae. Besides causing low larval mortality, esfenvalerate did not affect pupae survival or the reproductive capacity of the adults in the studied period, thus showing good potential for use in integrated pest management in cotton crops.
Green lacewing; pesticide; biological control
