Effect of mineral oils, palizin and buprofezin on life table parameters of predatory ladybeetle ,Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Col.: Coccinellidae)

Predatory ladybeetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is a beneficial agent in citrus orchards against scale insects. Effect of four insecticide treatments at recommended dose including mineral oil EC 10 ml/L, mineral oil mayonnaise 10 ml/L, insecticidal soap 2.5 ml/L and buprofezin 0.5 ml/L with control treatment (water) was evaluated on life table parameters of C. montrouzieri. The experiment was performed on fourth instar larvae and the offspring of emerged adults used to evaluate the life table parameters. The lowest mean number of eggs was related to buprofezin treatment (50.6 eggs) which was about 2.8 times less than the control (146.5 eggs). All tested compounds except mayonnaise oil 10 ml/L significantly reduced the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), the finite rate of increase (λ) and the net reproductive rate (R0) compared to the control. The life table parameters of C. montrouzieri were more affected by buprofezin treatment than other treatments, and these parameters were not significantly different in EC and palizin treatments compared with mayonnaise oil treatment. According to our results, simultaneous use of buprofezin with C. montrouzieri should be avoided in integerated management of scale insects. After confirming the results by conducting field experiments, alternative compounds such as mineral oils and palizin can be used.