Effect of Benzoylphenyl Ureas on Survival and Reproduction of the Lace Bug, <i>Leptopharsa gibbicarina</i>

• Main Authors: Luis Carlos Martínez, Angelica Plata-Rueda, José Eduardo Serrão
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Insects
• Subjects: chemical insecticides; insect vector; oil palm; pest control; reproductive parameters
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/1/34

The lace bug, <i>Leptopharsa gibbicarina</i> is a vector of <i>Pestalotiopsis</i> fungal complex in oil palm crops in the Americas. The effects of four benzoylphenyl ureas (BPUs) (lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron) were evaluated against <i>L. gibbicarina</i> for toxicity, survival, reproduction, and mortality in semi-field conditions. Concentration-mortality bioassays demonstrated that novaluron (LC₅₀ = 0.33 ppm), teflubenzuron (LC₅₀ = 0.24 ppm), lufenuron (LC₅₀ = 0.17 ppm), and triflumuron (LC₅₀ = 0.42 ppm) are toxic to <i>L. gibbicarina</i> nymphs. The survival rate was 99% in control nymphs, decreasing to 50% in nymphs exposed to LC₅₀ of triflumuron, 47% in nymphs treated with lufenuron, 43% in nymphs treated with teflubenzuron, and 43% in those treated with novaluron. Sublethal concentrations of BPUs showed detrimental effects on the adult emergence, longevity, fecundity, and fertility of this insect. The mortality of nymphs caused by these insecticides was similar in both laboratory and semi-field conditions. Our results suggest that novaluron, teflubenzuron, and triflumuron are highly effective against <i>L. gibbicarina</i>, and therefore, have potential applications for this oil palm pest.