Lethal and sublethal effects of cyantraniliprole, a new anthranilic diamide insecticide, on Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MED

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species complex comprises important insect pests that cause devastating damage to agricultural crops worldwide. In China, the B. tabaci MED species, formerly known as biotype 'Q', has surpassed the MEAM1 species, formerly known as biotype 'B', which is threatening agricultural production all over the country as an increasing number of resistance cases have been reported. This situation highlights the need for alternative pest control measures. In this study, the lethal effects of six neonicotinoid and two anthranilic diamide insecticides including the novel compound cyantraniliprole on B. tabaci MED were examined. The sublethal effects of cyantraniliprole on the physiology and behavior of B. tabaci MED were also assessed. Among eight insecticides tested, cyantraniliprole was the most toxic to B. tabaci MED with a LC50 of 2.05 mg/L. The sublethal effects of cyantraniliprole to adult B. tabaci MED were observed at LC10 (0.22 mg/L) and LC25 (0.63 mg/L) concentrations. At these concentrations, cyantraniliprole prolonged the developmental duration and decreased the survival rate of nymph stages, pseudopupae and adults. The oviposition duration and fecundity of females were also reduced significantly. The hatching rate of eggs laid by females exposed to LC10 and LC25 concentrations was also reduced. Altogether, these results demonstrate that cyantraniliprole could be an alternative insecticide for efficient control of B. tabaci MED populations in China.