Non‐target effects of three biorationale insecticides on two endolarval parasitoids of Liriomyza sativae (Dipt., Agromyzidae)

  Side effects of two azadirachtin formulations [NeemAzal‐U (17% azadirachtin) and NeemAzal ® ‐T/S (1% azadirachtin)] and two biorationale pesticides – Success ® (Spinosad) and Abamectin (Avermectin) – on two endoparasitoids Opius ( Opiothorax ) chromatomyiae and Neochrysocharis formosa of Liriomyza sativae were investigated under laboratory conditions. The eggs of O. chromatomyiae , and the eggs, larvae and pupae of N. formosa within the host or within the plant/host complex were exposed to NeemAzal, Success and Abamectin at different dose rates. Adult emergence of O. chromatomyiae from parasitized L. sativae in NeemAzal‐U (0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 g/l water) drenched soil was only slightly lower than from untreated control hosts. In contrast, adult emergence of unparasitized L. sativae was almost completely inhibited by NeemAzal‐U, indicating a high, direct toxicity. Development of O. chromatomyiae within L3 of L. sativae was very much affected from topical applications of NeemAzal ® ‐T/S, Success ® and Abamectin at particular dose rates. Spraying of tomato leaves with NeemAzal ® ‐T/S revealed no detrimental effect on the adult emergence of N. formosa developing in mining L2 of L. sativae . This was in contrast to Success ® and Abamectin which strongly affected N. formosa adult emergence when applied at different immature developmental stages of N. formosa .