Ecotoxicological effects of buprofezin on fecundity, growth, development, and predation of the wolf spider Pirata piratoides (Schenkel)

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2008 Nov;55(4):652-8. doi: 10.1007/s00244-008-9149-y. Epub 2008 Mar 6.

Abstract

The toxicological effects of buprofezin, an insect growth regulator, on the fecundity, development, and pest control potential of the wolf spider Pirata piratoides (Schenkel) (Araneae: Lycosidae) were investigated in the laboratory. It was shown that buprofezin had low toxicity to P. piratoides and that the median lethal dosage (LD(50)) 48 h and 10% lethal dosage (LD(10)) after topical application for female spiders were 653 and 316 mg buprofezin/mg fresh weight of spider, respectively. Buprofezin significantly reduced the percent hatching of spiders' eggs but had only a slight effect on egg production. No negative effects on the development and growth were observed. However, spider predation rates were strongly affected: Insecticide-treated females predated on fewer prey than the controls, and their predation rate did not recover even 5 days after insecticide application. This indicated that their pest control potential might be influenced by buprofezin, and the use of buprofezin in biological control of insects is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Juvenile Hormones / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure
  • Oviposition / drug effects
  • Ovum / drug effects
  • Ovum / physiology
  • Predatory Behavior / drug effects
  • Spiders / anatomy & histology
  • Spiders / drug effects*
  • Spiders / physiology
  • Thiadiazines / toxicity*
  • Toxicity Tests

Substances

  • Juvenile Hormones
  • Thiadiazines
  • buprofezin