Sex-dependent locomotion and physiological responses shape the insecticidal susceptibility of parasitoid wasps.

The adaptive fitness of insect species can be shaped by how males and females respond, both physiologically and behaviorally, to environmental challenges, such as pesticide exposure. In parasitoid wasps, most toxicological investigations focus only on female responses (e.g., survival and especially parasitism abilities), leaving the male contributions to adaptive fitness (survival, locomotion, mate search) poorly investigated. Here, we evaluated the toxicity of the spinosyn insecticide spinosad against the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus, and we used the parasitoid wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) to evaluate whether sex-linked locomotory and physiological responses would influence the susceptibility of these organisms to spinosad. Our results revealed that D. longicaudata males were significantly more susceptible (median lethal time (LT50) = 24 h) to spinosad than D. longicaudata females (LT50 = 120 h), which may reflect the differences in their locomotory and physiological (e.g., respiratory) responses to mitigate insecticide exposure. Compared to D. longicaudata females, male wasps were lighter (P < 0.001), walked for longer distances (P < 0.001) and periods (P < 0.001), and exhibited higher sensilla densities in their tarsi (P = 0.008), which may facilitate their intoxication with the insecticide. These findings indicate that male parasitoids should not be exempt from insecticide selectivity tests, as these organisms can be significantly more affected by such environmental challenges than their female conspecifics.

Susceptibilidade de adultos de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) a fungicidas utilizados no controle de doenças da macieira / Susceptibility of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) adults to fungicides used to control apple diseases

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a susceptibilidade em condições de laboratório de adultos do parasitóide de ovos Trichogramma pretiosum Riley a fungicidas utilizados na Produção Integrada da Maçã (PIM). Os bioensaios foram conduzidos utilizando-se protocolos padrões da Organização Internacional para o Controle Biológico (IOBC), Seção Regional Paleártica Oeste (WPRS). Foram testados doze fungicidas nas respectivas doses (g ou ml ingrediente ativo/100 L) captana 1 (0,115), captana 2 (0,120), cresoxim-metílico (0,010), enxofre 1 (AG) (0,480), enxofre 2 (0,480), folpete (0,105), mancozebe (0,160), piraclostrobina (0,010), tebuconazol (0,010), tetraconazol (0,005), tiofanato-metílico (0,050) e triforina (0,024). Adicionalmente, utilizou-se água destilada como testemunha negativa e o inseticida triclorfom (0,150) como testemunha positiva. Adultos do parasitóide foram expostos a resíduos dos tratamentos depositados sobre placas de vidro, sendo avaliadas as reduções no parasitismo em relação à testemunha (somente água). Cada tratamento teve quatro repetições. Os resultados permitiram classificar os fungicidas quanto ao impacto sobre os parasitóides em quatro classes: 1, inócuo (< 30 por cento); 2, levemente nocivo (30-79 por cento); 3, moderadamente nocivo (80-99 por cento); e 4, nocivo (> 99 por cento). Dentre os fungicidas testados, 75 por cento foram considerados seletivos (classes 1 e 2) ao parasitóide. Os fungicidas captana 1, captana 2, cresoxim-metílico, folpete, piraclostrobina, tebuconazol, tiofanato-metílico e triforina foram inócuos; mancozebe foi levemente nocivo; enxofre 1 (AG) e tetraconazol foram moderadamente nocivos e enxofre 2 foi nocivo. Estes resultados devem ser levados em consideração quando utilizamos fungicidas no controle de doenças fúngicas em pomares de macieira, preservando assim, o parasitóide de ovos T. pretiosum.

[Susceptibility of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) adults to fungicides used to control apple diseases]. / Susceptibilidade de adultos de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) a fungicidas utilizados no controle de doengas da macieira.

This study evaluated the susceptibility under laboratory conditions of Trichogrammapretiosum Riley adults to fungicides recommended by the Integrated Production of Apple (IPA). The bioassays were carried out using the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palearctic Regional Section (WPRS) standard protocols. Twelve selected fungicides were studied in the doses (g or ml active ingredient/100 L) captan 1 (0.115), captan 2 (0.120), kresoxim-methyl (0.010), sulphur 1 (AG) (0.480), sulphur 2 (0.480), folpet (0.105), mancozeb (0.160), pyraclostrobin (0.010), tebuconazole (0.010), tetraconazole (0.005), thiophanate-methyl (0.050) and triforine (0.024). Distilled water was used as the blank treatment and the insecticide triclorfon (0.150) as a positive control. The parasitoids were exposed to dry residues applied on glass plates. The reduction in the capacity of parasitism was used to measure the effect of the chemical in comparison to the blank treatment. Each treatment was replicated four times. The results allowed us to classify the fungicides tested in four categories: 1, harmless (< 30%); 2, slightly harmful (30-79%); 3, moderately harmful (80-99%); and 4, harmful (> 99%). 75% of the tested substances were classified as selective (classes 1 and 2) to the parasitoid. The fungicides captan 1, captan 2, kresoxim-methyl, folpet, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, thiophanate-methyl and triforine were harmless; mancozeb was slightly harmful; sulphur 1 (AG) and tetraconazole were moderately harmful and sulphur 2 was harmful. These findings should be taken into account when selecting fungicides to spray apple orchards against fungi diseases to preserve the egg parasitoid T. pretiosum.