Side Effects of Some Insecticides and Acaricides on Different Beneficial Insects in Laboratory Conditions

Side effects studies are important for the development of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, especially due to the adverse impacts of broad-spectrum pesticides on natural enemies. This study was conducted to evaluate the side effects of commonly used pesticides on Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under laboratory conditions. The results revealed varying mortality rates among the natural enemies, with Abamectin exhibiting the highest mortality rates of 65.00%, 71.50%, and 78.75% respectively. Spirodiclofen (S1) showed the lowest mortality rate of 17.50% for C. bipustulatus, while Buprofezin (B) and Spirodiclofen (S2) showed rates of 18.78% and 18.93%, respectively for A. pseudococci. For A. swirskii, Spirodiclofen (S1 and S2) recorded the lowest mortality rates of 21.25% and 23.75% respectively. According to the IOBC classification, Spirodiclofen (S1 and S2) was classified as harmless (N,) against all three natural enemies. Abamectin (A) was classified as slightly harmful (M) for all three species, while Buprofezin was rated as slightly harmful (M) for C. bipustulatus but harmless (N,) for A. pseudococci and A. swirskii. This research highlights the differential effects of pesticides on different natural enemies and underlines the importance of considering such impacts in pest management strategies.