Side Effects of Pesticides on Population Growth Parameters, Life Table Parameters, and Predation of the Subsequent Generation of Phytoseiid Mites

Abstract

Simply estimating pesticide effects on natural enemies of pests by measuring only lethal effects, or sublethal effects on the only treated natural enemies, may underestimate the total negative effects on them. So sublethal effects on subsequent generations should be assessed to estimate the total effects of their applications. Sublethal effects of commonly used acaricides on population growth parameters, life table parameters, and predation of the predatory mites of the family phytoseiidae were investigated. For this reason, offspring of treated females were used. Gross reproductive rate (GRR), the intrinsic rate of birth (b), the intrinsic rate of death (d), mean generation time (T), survivorship (Lx), life expectancy (ex), and prey consumption were affected in comparison with control. It could be concluded that sublethal concentrations of most applied pesticides can significantly reduce population growth and life table parameters, and this should be considered in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.