Effects of Imidacloprid Applied Alone or in Combination With Organosilicone Surfactants on Biological Traits and Predatory Feeding of Chrysoperla nipponensis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Organosilicone adjuvants are widely used to increase insecticide application on targeted surfaces. In this work, our aim was to investigate side effects of imidacloprid treatment, either applied alone or in combination with organosilicone compounds, against Chrysoperla nipponensis, an important predator of aphids. Four types of organosilicones were mixed with imidacloprid at different concentrations. The toxicity of the mixture to C. nipponensis was measured under laboratory conditions. The LC50 and LC30 of imidacloprid applied alone and in combination with 0.05% organosilicone were determined. Imidacloprid (LC30) applied alone or in combination with 0.05% organosilicone was used to treat second instar larvae of C. nipponensis; thereafter, its effects on the growth, development, longevity, reproduction, and predatory ability of C. nipponensis were evaluated The results demonstrated that the organosilicone Silwet L-77 reduced the LC50 and LC30 of imidacloprid to 6.09 (95% CI: 2.31-9.42) and 10.95 mg/L (95% CI: 8.16-13.63), respectively, and enhanced imidacloprid toxicity to C. nipponensis, as reflected by the resulting extension of the growth and developmental period, reduction in female longevity, and inhibition of reproduction. When applied alone or in combination with an organosilicone, imidacloprid reduced the consumption of Corcyra cephalonica eggs by C. nipponensis. The functional response of C. nipponensis treated with imidacloprid alone or in combination with organosilicone was type II. Concomitantly, the attack rate was reduced and the handling time of prey increased.