Sublethal effects of insecticides on the diamondback moth <i>Plutella xylostella</i> (L.)

Abstract

Abstract The effect of sublethal concentrations (LC 1 and LC 50 ) of permethrin, fenvalerate, methamidophos and carbaryl on diamondback moth development, female fecundity and insect behaviour was investigated. All the insecticides had deleterious effects on the number of larvae surviving to pupae, the duration of the pupal period, the number of pupae surviving to adulthood, and cocoon formation in pupae. Prolonged duration of the larval period, from third instar to pupation, and deformed pupae were also observed. Permethrin, fenvalerate and carbaryl caused latent toxicity and deformed wings in the adults. Pyrethroids and methamidophos reduced the longevity of the adults whereas carbaryl increased it. Except for permethrin, the insecticides inhibited female fecundity. At LC 1 and LC 50 concentrations, the pyrethroids showed both repellent and antifeedant activity against larvae, and female moths preferred to oviposit on untreated leaf discs rather than on those treated with the pyrethroids at concentrations equal to their LC 50 values.