Assessing toxicity of post-emergence herbicides to the Spilarctia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

摘要

The lethal and sublethal effects of three post-emergence herbicides, 2,4-D ethyl ester (Weedkill 80WP), imazethapyr (Pursuit 10EC) and quizalofop ethyl (Tergasuper 5EC) fortified with artificial diets were studied on larvae of Spilarctia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). Quizalofop ethyl and imazethapyr caused significant reduction of pest survival at almost all levels; however, 2,4-D ethyl ester was nontoxic. Interestingly, LC50 data (0.230 and 0.855% for quizalofop ethyl and imazethapyr, respectively) obtained from probit analysis were almost equal to labeled doses (x) of quizalofop ethyl (x = 0.16%) and imazethapyr (x = 0.625%), which shows the high toxicity of these compounds against S. obliqua larvae. Among the three herbicides, imazethapyr caused sublethal effects on this pest, increasing the larval period at almost all concentrations tested in the artificial diet. Considering the markedly significant effect of quizalofop ethyl on pest survivorship with no sublethal effect, we suggest incorporating it into the integrated pest management module for S. obliqua in legumes or oilseed crops with other biorational insecticides. Based on toxicity, imazethapyr can be a potential candidate for integrated management of S. obliqua. However, because of its sublethal effects, we advocate caution while using it in the presence of pest infestations.