Sublethal and transgenerational effects of thiamethoxam applied to cotton seed on Chrysoperla externa and Harmonia axyridis

Abstract BACKGROUND Thiamethoxam, when applied as a seed treatment, can contaminate plant products, such as extrafloral nectar, and have non‐target effects on beneficial arthropods. This study assessed the non‐target effects of thiamethoxam applied to cotton seed on the life history parameters of the predators Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). RESULTS Exposure of C. externa larvae to plants grown from thiamethoxam‐treated seeds caused sublethal and transgenerational effects. Thiamethoxam treatment doubled the proportion of pharate adults and reduced egg fertility in C. externa F0 and F1 generations. In addition, the insecticide prolonged pupal developmental time in the C. externa F1 generation. Thiamethoxam treatment also had a transgenerational effect on exposed H. axyridis larvae, reducing pupal survival in the F1 generation. In the adult bioassay, thiamethoxam treatment reduced egg fertility of C. externa , prolonged the larval period, and reduced both fecundity and egg fertility of the F1 generation. Thiamethoxam also caused transgenerational effect on H. axyridis adults, reducing larval survival of the F1 generation. CONCLUSION Thiamethoxam seed treatment was harmful for both predators, but C. externa was more affected by the insecticide than H. axyridis . © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry