Assessment of the lethal and sublethal effects by spinetoram on cotton bollworm

Helicoverpa armigera is an universal pest around the world, which has recovered again in recent years because of the adjustment of cropping structure and resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in China. As a new insecticide spinetoram is extensively used to control many pest insects, including H. armigera. However the lethal and sublethal effects of spinetoram on cotton bollworm have not been assessed. In the present study, the toxicity of spinetoram against cotton bollworm was tested under laboratory conditions. Results demonstrated spinetoram showed an excellent activity against H. armigera, especially, against Bt (Cry1Ac) resistant H. armigera. Treatment with spinetoram at the doses of 0.19 mg/kg and 0.36 mg/kg (LC(8) and LC(20) after 24h oral exposure) significantly arrested the development of surviving larvae and caused significant decrease in larvae wet weight. Besides, the survivors after spinetoram treatments showed significant reduction of pupation ratio, pupal weight, emergence ratio, longevity and fecundity of adults. At same time, spinetoram treatments resulted in significant increase in the prepupal and pupal periods of survivors. In summary, these results showed that spinetoram could be used as an effective pesticide to control H. armigera, especially Cry1Ac-ressitacne, consequently to take both lethal and sublethal effects to cotton bollworm into consideration in cotton bollworm control strategy.