The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of synthetic insecticides used in the cotton crop on eggs and third-instar larvae of the ladybeetle Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The products used in g a.i. L-1 of water were triflumuron 0.048 (Certero 480 SC), spinosad 0.24 (Tracer 480 SC), chlorfenapyr 1.2 (Pirate 240 SC), chlothianidin 0.33 (Focus 500 WP) and imidacloprid 0.33 + β-cyfluthrin 0.042 (Connect 100 + 12.5 SC). Distilled water was used as a control. Both eggs and larvae were distributed in Petri dishes and treated with the insecticides by spraying in a Potter's tower. A fully randomized experimental design, with five replications and six treatments consisting of five pesticides and one control was used. Each plot consisted of ten eggs or third-instar larvae. The embryonic period and viability of the treated eggs; survival and duration of third-instar larvae; survival and duration of larval and pupal stages of development; sexual ratio, and the total number of eggs laid by the surviving mated females from treated eggs and third-instar larvae were evaluated. The tests were carried out at 25 ± 2º C, RH 60 ± 10% and 12h-photophase. Triflumuron 0.048 was innocuous to the predator's eggs and slightly harmful to third-instar larvae. Spinosad 0.24 was slightly harmful to eggs and third-instar larvae, whereas chlofernapyr 1.2, chlothianidin 0.33 and imidacloprid 0.33 + β-cyfluthrin 0.042 were harmful to eggs and third-instar larvae of C. sanguinea.
Cotton crop; coccinellid; predator; biological control; pesticides; toxicity