Identification of potential invasive alien species in Spain through horizon scanning.

Invasive alien species have widespread impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystem services. Since the number of introductions worldwide is continuously rising, it is essential to prevent the entry, establishment and spread of new alien species through a systematic examination of future potential threats. Applying a three-step horizon scanning consensus method, we evaluated non-established alien species that could potentially arrive, establish and cause major ecological impact in Spain within the next 10 years. Overall, we identified 47 species with a very high risk (e.g. Oreochromis niloticus, Popillia japonica, Hemidactylus frenatus, Crassula helmsii or Halophila stipulacea), 61 with high risk, 93 with moderate risk, and 732 species with low risk. Many of the species categorized as very high or high risk to Spanish biodiversity are either already present in Europe and neighbouring countries or have a long invasive history elsewhere. This study provides an updated list of potential invasive alien species useful for prioritizing efforts and resources against their introduction. Compared to previous horizon scanning exercises in Spain, the current study screens potential invaders from a wider range of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms, and can serve as a basis for more comprehensive risk analyses to improve management and increase the efficiency of the early warning and rapid response framework for invasive alien species. We also stress the usefulness of measuring agreement and consistency as two different properties of the reliability of expert scores, in order to more easily elaborate consensus ranked lists of potential invasive alien species.

The Role of Annual Flowering Plant Strips on a Melon Crop in Central Spain. Influence on Pollinators and Crop.

Planting flower strips adjacent to crops is among the habitat-management practices employed to offer alternative floral resources to pollinators. However, more information is needed to understand their potential spill-over of pollinators on nearby insect-pollinated crops. Over the course of two consecutive years, the suitability of a flower mixture of 10 herbaceous plants for pollinators was evaluated on a weekly basis, in a randomized block design of two melon plots (10 × 10 m2) with or without 1 m-wide flower strips. Floral coverage and pollinator visits to the plant species, as well as pollinator visits and the yield and quality of the crop, were assessed. Additionally, the selected mixture was tested for 1 year in a commercial field in order to ascertain how far the flower strip could influence visitors in the crop. The most suitable species for a flower strip in central Spain based on their attractiveness, floral coverage and staggered blossom were Coriandrum sativum L., Diplotaxis virgata L., Borago officinalis L. and Calendula officinalis L. The flower strip can act as either pollinator competitor or facilitator to the crop, depending on their floral coverage and/or the predominant species during the crop bloom period. The concurrence of blooming of the rewarding plant C. officinalis with the melon crop should be avoided in our area. In the commercial field, the bee visitation rate in the melon flowers decreased with the distance to the flower strip. No influence of the specific flower strip evaluated on crop productivity or quality was found.

Sulfoxaflor and Natural Pyrethrin with Piperonyl Butoxide Are Effective Alternatives to Neonicotinoids against Juveniles of Philaenus spumarius, the European Vector of Xylella fastidiosa.

The threat imposed by the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa to crops of utter importance to European agriculture such as olive, stone fruit and grapevine calls for immediate research against the meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (L.), the main European vector. Management tools should consider reducing juveniles of vector populations growing on weeds or cover crops during spring as nymphs have limited movement and do not contribute to disease spread. We examined a wide range of insecticides with different modes of action against P. spumarius nymphs in laboratory and semi-field glasshouse conditions. Pyrethroids (delthamethrin and λ-cyhalothrin) and natural pyrethrin (Pirecris®) + piperonyl butoxide (PBO) efficacy surpassed 86% after 24 h of exposure, without significant differences in the PBO amount tested. The inclusion of PBO caused a 3-fold increase in the mortality of P. spumarius nymphs compared to pyrethrin alone. Sulfoxaflor (Closer®) exhibited similar efficacy at 48 and 72 h but it was slow acting and mortality only reached 60% at 24 h. The LC90 was 34 ppm at 72 h. Pymetrozine, spirotetramat, azadirachtin and kaolin were not effective against nymphs (mortality <33%) although in azadirachtin-treated plants, mortality had a 3-fold increase from 24 to 72 h. Our results will help decision-making policy bodies to set up a sustainable integrated pest management of P. spumarius in areas where X. fastidiosa becomes a problem.

Efficacy of a long-lasting bifenthrin-treated net against horticultural pests and its compatibility with the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii and the parasitic wasp Eretmocerus mundus.

BACKGROUND: Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have been investigated recently for their use in agriculture. Depending on the insecticide, the hole size and the way they are produced, these nets can target different pests and therefore they could be interesting options for use in integrated pest management (IPM). As the information on their compatibility with beneficial fauna is practically negligible, in this work we have tested the compatibility of an experimental bifenthrin long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLITN) with Amblyseius swirskii and Eretmocerus mundus, important natural enemies of whiteflies and thrips, under laboratory, semi-field and commercial greenhouse conditions. RESULTS: In the laboratory, the treated net was very deleterious to adults of both natural enemies, after 72 h exposure. However, in choice tests with Y-tubes, both natural enemies were neither attracted nor repelled by the treated net and no short-term mortality was detected in individuals that had crossed it. No deleterious effects on the E. mundus beneficial capacity were detected in semi-field trials. In field trials, the LLITN proved to be compatible with A. swirskii while decreasing pest densities. CONCLUSIONS: Bifenthrin LLITN studied could be a valuable method for reducing pest population infestations in IPM programmes while being compatible with biocontrol agents. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Parálisis facial secundaria a metástasis única en hueso temporal de un cáncer vesical / Facial paralysis secondary to single metastasis to the temporal bone from bladder cancer

No disponible

Meningitis por Listeria monocytogenes en adultos / Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in adults

Introducción. Listeria monocytogenes es la tercera causa en frecuencia de meningitis bacteriana comunitaria en adultos. Objetivos. Describir las características de la meningitis por Listeria (ML) en adultos y compararlas con las de la meningitis de otras etiologías (MnL). Pacientes y métodos. Análisis retrospectivo de una serie de casos hospitalaria, incluyendo pacientes con edad >= 14 años diagnosticados de ML en un hospital de referencia entre 1982 y 2011. Resultados. Se incluyen 16 casos de ML, el 12,1% de las meningitis comunitarias de etiología identificada. Los factores predisponentes fueron la edad (media: 65 frente a 52 años; p = 0,019) y la inmunodepresión/comorbilidad (62,5% frente a 3,4%; p < 0,001): tratamiento con corticoides (37,5%) y hepatopatía crónica (25%) fueron los más frecuentes. Se observaron las tríadas clásicas de la meningitis aguda bacteriana, clínica y de análisis del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en el 50 y 75% de los casos, respectivamente. Los pacientes con ML presentaron en el LCR recuentos leucocitarios inferiores, menor porcentaje de neutrófilos, mayor frecuencia de pleocitosis linfocitaria y menor frecuencia de tinción de Gram positiva que aquellos con MnL. La tasa de mortalidad fue del 12,5%, similar a la de MnL. Conclusiones. La ML afecta fundamentalmente a pacientes inmunodeprimidos o con comorbilidad, y a pacientes de edad avanzada, aunque puede ocurrir en ausencia de factores de riesgo. Clínicamente no se diferencia de otras causas de meningitis, pero el estudio inicial del LCR puede sugerirla. Su tasa de mortalidad es similar a la de la meningitis de otras etiologías (AU)

Introduction. Listeria monocytogenes is the third most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults. Aims. To describe the characteristics of meningitis caused by Listeria (LM) in adults and to compare them with those of meningitis due to other causations (nLM). Patients and methods. A retrospective analysis of a series of hospital cases was conducted, including patients aged between >= 14 years diagnosed with LM in a referral hospital between 1982 and 2011. Results. The study involves 16 cases of LM, 12.1% of the cases of community-acquired meningitis with an identified aetiology. Predisposing factors were age (mean of 65 versus 52 years; p = 0.019) and immunosuppression/comorbidity (62.5% versus 3.4%; p < 0.001), treatment with corticoids (37.5%) and chronic liver disease (25%) being the most frequent. The classical triads of acute bacterial meningitis, clinical features and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were observed in 50 and 75% of the cases, respectively. Patients with LM presented lower leukocyte counts in CSF, a lower percentage of neutrophils, a greater frequency of lymphocytic pleocytosis and a lower frequency of Gram stain positive than those with nLM. The mortality rate was 12.5%, similar to that of patients with nLM. Conclusions. LM mainly affects patients who are immunosuppressed or with comorbidity, as well as elderly patients, although it may occur in the absence of risk factors. Clinically it does not differ from other causes of meningitis, but the initial CSF study may suggest it. Its mortality rate is similar to that of meningitis due to other aetiologies (AU)

[Meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes in adults]. / Meningitis por Listeria monocytogenes en adultos.

INTRODUCTION: Listeria monocytogenes is the third most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults. AIMS: To describe the characteristics of meningitis caused by Listeria (LM) in adults and to compare them with those of meningitis due to other causations (nLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a series of hospital cases was conducted, including patients aged between ≥ 14 years diagnosed with LM in a referral hospital between 1982 and 2011. RESULTS: The study involves 16 cases of LM, 12.1% of the cases of community-acquired meningitis with an identified aetiology. Predisposing factors were age (mean of 65 versus 52 years; p = 0.019) and immunosuppression/comorbidity (62.5% versus 3.4%; p < 0.001), treatment with corticoids (37.5%) and chronic liver disease (25%) being the most frequent. The classical triads of acute bacterial meningitis, clinical features and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were observed in 50 and 75% of the cases, respectively. Patients with LM presented lower leukocyte counts in CSF, a lower percentage of neutrophils, a greater frequency of lymphocytic pleocytosis and a lower frequency of Gram stain positive than those with nLM. The mortality rate was 12.5%, similar to that of patients with nLM. CONCLUSIONS: LM mainly affects patients who are immunosuppressed or with comorbidity, as well as elderly patients, although it may occur in the absence of risk factors. Clinically it does not differ from other causes of meningitis, but the initial CSF study may suggest it. Its mortality rate is similar to that of meningitis due to other aetiologies.

Absceso hepático piógeno: presentación clínica y predictores de evolución desfavorable / Pyogenic liver abscess: clinical presentation and predictors of unfavorable outcome

Objetivos Describir clínicamente el absceso hepático piógeno (AHP) e identificar factores asociados a evolución desfavorable. Material y métodos Revisión retrospectiva de historias de pacientes con absceso hepático (1996-2009), incluyendo los que cumplían criterios diagnósticos de AHP. Se clasificaron en evolución favorable y desfavorable (sepsis grave, complicaciones infecciosas a distancia, complicación local, ingreso en cuidados intensivos, ingreso > 30 días, fallecimiento, reingreso).Resultados Se incluyen 54 AHP, 65% hombres, edad media 61 años. Factores predisponentes: enfermedad biliopancreática, 33%; ingreso reciente, 20%; enolismo, 15%; diabetes mellitus, 15%; antecedente de neoplasia digestiva, 11%, y de cirugía abdominal, 11%. Origen: criptogénico, 65%; biliar, 31%; portal, 4%. Sintomatología: fiebre, 100%; dolor abdominal, 65%; vómitos, 37%; hepatomegalia, 33%; síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, 26%; ictericia, 9%. Hemocultivos positivos, 40%, y cultivo de pus, 65%. Escherichia coli y Streptococcus spp. fueron los aislamientos más frecuentes. Se efectuó drenaje percutáneo en el 72% (el 6% también quirúrgico), y recibieron solo antibioterapia el 28%. Evolución desfavorable 52%, asociada a mayor edad (p=0,016), antecedentes de enfermedad biliopancreática (p=0,007), síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica al diagnóstico (p=0,005), alteración de la coagulación (p=0,043), elevación de AST (p=0,033) y etiología biliar (p<0,001). Conclusiones El AHP se desarrolla en pacientes con comorbilidad, si bien más frecuentemente son criptogénicos. La mayoría curan con antibioterapia y drenaje percutáneo, sin cirugía. La mortalidad es del 9%, pero la mitad sigue una evolución desfavorable, que se asocia a la etiología biliar y a determinadas alteraciones analíticas (AU)

Objectives To describe the clinical features of pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) and identify the factors associated with an unfavorable outcome. Material and methods We performed a retrospective review of the clinical histories of patients with liver abscess (1996-2009), including those that met the diagnostic criteria for PLA. Outcome was classified as favorable or unfavorable (severe sepsis, distant infectious complications, local complications, intensive care unit admission, admission for>30 days, death, readmission).Results There were 54 patients with PLA (65% men), with a mean age of 61 years. Predisposing factors consisted of biliopancreatic disease in 33%, recent admission in 20%, alcoholism in 15%, diabetes mellitus in 15%, a history of gastrointestinal neoplasm in 11% and abdominal surgery in 11%. The cause was cryptogenic in 65%, biliary in 31%, and portal in 4%. Symptoms consisted of fever in 100%, abdominal pain in 65%, vomiting in 37%, enlarged liver in 33%, systemic inflammatory response syndrome in 26%, and jaundice in 9%. Blood and pus cultures were positive in 40% and 65%, respectively. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were E. coli and Streptococcus spp. Percutaneous drainage was performed in 72% (surgical drainage was also performed in 6%), and antibiotic treatment alone was administered in 28%. Outcome was unfavorable in 52% and was associated with greater age (p=0.016), a history of biliopancreatic disease (p=0.007), systemic inflammatory response syndrome at diagnosis (p=0.005), coagulation alterations (p=0.043), aspartate aminotransferase elevation (p=0.033), and biliary etiology (p<0.001).Conclusions PLA developed in patients with comorbidity, although most were cryptogenic. The majority of PLA were resolved with antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage, without surgery. Mortality was 9%, but half the patients had unfavorable outcome, associated with biliary etiology and some laboratory alterations (AU)

[Pyogenic liver abscess: clinical presentation and predictors of unfavorable outcome]. / Absceso hepático piógeno: presentación clínica y predictores de evolución desfavorable.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) and identify the factors associated with an unfavorable outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the clinical histories of patients with liver abscess (1996-2009), including those that met the diagnostic criteria for PLA. Outcome was classified as favorable or unfavorable (severe sepsis, distant infectious complications, local complications, intensive care unit admission, admission for>30 days, death, readmission). RESULTS: There were 54 patients with PLA (65% men), with a mean age of 61 years. Predisposing factors consisted of biliopancreatic disease in 33%, recent admission in 20%, alcoholism in 15%, diabetes mellitus in 15%, a history of gastrointestinal neoplasm in 11% and abdominal surgery in 11%. The cause was cryptogenic in 65%, biliary in 31%, and portal in 4%. Symptoms consisted of fever in 100%, abdominal pain in 65%, vomiting in 37%, enlarged liver in 33%, systemic inflammatory response syndrome in 26%, and jaundice in 9%. Blood and pus cultures were positive in 40% and 65%, respectively. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were E. coli and Streptococcus spp. Percutaneous drainage was performed in 72% (surgical drainage was also performed in 6%), and antibiotic treatment alone was administered in 28%. Outcome was unfavorable in 52% and was associated with greater age (p=0.016), a history of biliopancreatic disease (p=0.007), systemic inflammatory response syndrome at diagnosis (p=0.005), coagulation alterations (p=0.043), aspartate aminotransferase elevation (p=0.033), and biliary etiology (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PLA developed in patients with comorbidity, although most were cryptogenic. The majority of PLA were resolved with antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage, without surgery. Mortality was 9%, but half the patients had unfavorable outcome, associated with biliary etiology and some laboratory alterations.

Lethal and sublethal toxicity of fipronil and imidacloprid on Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Psyttalia concolor (Szèpligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a koinobiont endoparasitoid of several species of tephritid (Diptera) larvae, such as Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Here, we report on the effects of imidacloprid and fipronil on P. concolor females, when different routes of exposure were evaluated: residual contact (cover and bait sprays) and via treatment of host species. Moreover, the persistence of the bait formulated compound also was studied. For each experiment, lethal (mortality) and sublethal effects (parasitization rate or longevity) were studied. Fipronil produced 100% mortality irrespective of exposure route, and it was very persistent, because 34-d-old residues still produced this high mortality rate, being as toxic or even more toxic than the reference product dimethoate. Toxicity of imidacloprid depends on the mode of exposure, although always remained less toxic than dimethoate. Imidacloprid caused high mortality or sublethal effect to the progeny in cover sprays and when applied via treated host, being harmless in bait sprays application. In conclusion, our results suggest that fipronil should not be used in the field when the parasitoid is present. On the contrary, although imidacloprid is physiologically active against females of P. concolor, ecological selectivity may result through the use of bait treatment.

Meningitis bacteriana por bacilos gramnegativos en adultos inmunodeprimidos no neuroquirúrgicos. Réplica / Bacterial meningitis due to gram-negative bacilli in immunosuppressed adults who have not undergone neurosurgery. Reply

No disponible

[Bacterial meningitis due to gram-negative bacilli in adults]. / Meningitis bacteriana por bacilos gramnegativos en adultos.

INTRODUCTION: Gram-negative bacilli are causative agents of bacterial meningitis in the neonatal period but rarely cause meningitis in adults without risk factors. AIM: To report on meningitis due to gram-negative bacilli (MGNB) in adults diagnosed in a hospital over a 25-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients with an age > or = 14 years who had been diagnosed with MGNB between 1982 and 2006. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of MGNB are included (10.5% of the cases of bacterial meningitis with an identified aetiology), with a mean age of 48 years (14-79). Twelve (80%) were post-operative: recent neurosurgery (9 cases, 75%) and having a neurosurgical device (8 cases, 67%) were risk factors. Three (20%) were spontaneous: two were of a urinary origin and one had an undetermined origin. The aetiology was: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 cases), Escherichia coli (3 cases), Enterobacter aerogenes (2 cases), Pseudomonas fluorescens (1 case), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1 case), Morganella morganii (1 case), Acinetobacter anitratus (1 case), Acinetobacter iwoffii (1 case) and Flavobacterium brevis (1 case); in one patient with Gram positive staining for gram-negative bacilli, the culture was negative, and three of them (20%) were mixed infections (Staphylococcus spp.). Three patients (20%) died. CONCLUSIONS: In adults, gram-negative bacilli rarely cause spontaneous meningitis, but are a common causation of post-neurosurgical meningitis and in those with neurosurgical devices. The mortality rate of MGNB is high.

Meningitis bacteriana por bacilos gramnegativos en adultos / Bacterial meningitis due to gram-negative bacilli in adults

Introducción. Los bacilos gramnegativos son agentes etiológicos de meningitis bacteriana en el período neonatal pero raramente causan meningitis en adultos sin factores de riesgo. Objetivo. Describir las meningitis por bacilos gramnegativos en adultos, diagnosticadas en un hospital durante un período de 25 años. Pacientes y métodos. Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes con edad >= 14 años que habían sido diagnosticados de meningitis por bacilos gramnegativos entre 1982 y 2006. Resultados. Se incluyen 15 casos de meningitis por bacilos gramnegativos (10,5% de las meningitis bacterianas de etiología identificada), con una mediana de edad de 48 años (intervalo: 14-79 años). Doce (80%) fueron postoperatorias:neurocirugía reciente (9 casos, 75%) y ser portador de un dispositivo neuroquirúrgico (8 casos, 67%) fueron los factores de riesgo. Tres (20%) fueron espontáneas: dos de origen urinario y una de origen no determinado. La etiología fue: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 casos), Escherichia coli (3 casos), Enterobacter aerogenes (2 casos), Pseudomonas fluorescens (1 caso), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1 caso), Morganella morganii (1 caso), Acinetobacter anitratus (1 caso), Acinetobacter iwoffii (1 caso) y Flavobacterium brevis (1 caso); en un enfermo con tinción de Gram positiva para bacilos gramnegativos el cultivo resultó negativo, y tres (20%) fueron infecciones mixtas (Staphylococcus spp.). Tres pacientes (20%) fallecieron. Conclusiones. En adultos, los bacilos gramnegativos raramente causan meningitis espontánea, pero son una etiología frecuente de meningitis posneuroquirúrgicas y en portadores de dispositivos neuroquirúrgicos. La mortalidad de la meningitis por bacilos gramnegativos es elevada (AU)

Introduction Gram-negative bacilli are causative agents of bacterial meningitis in the neonatal period but rarely cause meningitis in adults without risk factors. Aim. To report on meningitis due to gram-negative bacilli (MGNB) in adults diagnosed in a hospital over a 25-year period. Patients and methods. We reviewed the medical records of all patients with an age >= 14 years who had been diagnosed with MGNB between 1982 and 2006. Results. Fifteen cases of MGNB are included (10.5% of the cases of bacterial meningitis with an identified aetiology), with a mean age of 48 years (14-79). Twelve (80%) were post-operative: recent neurosurgery (9 cases, 75%) and having a neurosurgical device (8 cases, 67%) were risk factors. Three (20%) were spontaneous: two were of a urinary origin and one had an undetermined origin. The aetiology was: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 cases), Escherichia coli (3 cases), Enterobacter aerogenes (2 cases), Pseudomonas fluorescens (1 case), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1 case), Morganella morganii (1 case), Acinetobacter anitratus (1 case), Acinetobacter iwoffii (1 case) and Flavobacterium brevis (1 case); in one patient with Gram positive staining for gram-negative bacilli, the culture was negative, and three of them (20%) were mixed infections (Staphylococcus spp.). Three patients (20%) died. Conclusions. In adults, gram-negative bacilli rarely cause spontaneous meningitis, but are a common causation of postneurosurgical meningitis and in those with neurosurgical devices. The mortality rate of MGNB is high (AU)

Influence of azadirachtin and methoxyfenozide on life parameters of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Effects on adult longevity, fecundity and fertility, as well as long-term effects on progeny were determined through oral exposure of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) adults to azadirachtin and methoxyfenozide. Both compounds reduced adult longevity by 2.3 d at the higher concentrations tested, but no significant differences were observed between sexes. Fecundity and fertility were significantly affected for both insecticides, although this effect was only dose-dependent for azadirachtin. The progeny from adults treated with azadirachtin or methoxyfenozide were only affected in percentage of pupation of eggs that successfully hatched, but no effects were observed in adult emergence of individuals that successfully pupated for either insecticide. In the second part of this study, each sex was exposed separately to methoxyfenozide by topical application or ingestion. Adult fecundity was more affected when moths were treated by ingestion than when treated topically, with a mean number eggs laid per female of 343 +/- 89 and 932 +/- 79, respectively. Finally, azadirachtin applied to pepper plants showed a significant oviposition deterrence activity on S. littoralis adults. However, when fecundity was scored for one additional day in females that had been previously exposed to pepper, Capsicum annum L., plants treated with this insecticide, the number of eggs laid per female did not differ significantly from that of controls. The effects of azadirachtin and methoxyfenozide on S. littoralis suggest changes in population dynamics of this pest in crops treated with these insecticides.

Lethal and sublethal effects of methoxyfenozide and spinosad on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Susceptibility to methoxyfenozide of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae was determined through exposure of neonate and fourth instars to dipped and sprayed pepper, Capsicum annum L., leaves. Methoxyfenozide and spinosad were tested against adults of this noctuid by oral, residual, and topical application. In larvae, we evaluated five (range, 0.001-10 mg active ingredient [AI] /liter) and six (range, 1-250 mg [AI] /liter) concentration levels by instars, respectively, by using two application methods at three different age leaf residues (0, 3, and 6 d after application). According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between the same age leaf residues of both application methods at 96 and 72 h after ingestion treatment on neonates and fourth instars, respectively. Nevertheless, toxicity of methoxyfenozide decreased significantly after time. For both application methods, the LC50 values of the first leaf residue (0 d after application) were significantly lower than those of 6-d-old residues. Furthermore, larval weight of fourth instars fed for 48 h with pepper, Capsicum annum L., leaves containing methoxyfenozide was significantly suppressed. Spinosad and methoxyfenozide reduced in a dose-dependent manner the fecundity and fertility of S. littoralis adults when treated oral and residually. Likewise, when methoxyfenozide was administered orally in three different adult crosses, the fecundity was strongly affected, independently of the treated sex. We conclude that the combination of lethal and sublethal effects of methoxy-fenozide and spinosad might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics of S. littolaris.