Feeding responses of Trichopoda pennipes (F.) (Deptera: Tachinidae) to selected insecticides

Authors: Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2006
Publication Date: 7/1/2006
Citation: Tillman, P.G. 2006. Feeding responses of Trichopoda pennipes (F.) (Deptera: Tachinidae) to selected insecticides. Journal of Entomological Science. 41(3):242-247.

Interpretive Summary: The southern green stink bug is a serious pest in a wide variety of agricultural crops. The feather-legged fly is one of the most successful natural enemies of this pest. Thus, the impact of insecticides generally used in production of agricultural crops on this natural enemy is an important issue in integrated pest management of this stink bug pest. Therefore, the feeding behavior of the feather-legged fly to Assail, Baythroid, Bidrin, Centric, Steward, and Vydate was determined in laboratory tests. Adult feather-legged flies exhibited repellency to food treated with Vydate, Baythroid, Steward, and Centric and reduction of feeding when they actually fed on food containing any of the insecticides. Even though four of the insecticides in this study reduced feeding time, ingestion of food treated with any of these compounds always resulted in the death of the flies. Therefore, repellency to the insecticides was the only response by the flies that insured their survival. Refuges with sources of food for feather-legged fly adults around the field could help conserve these natural enemies by providing an insecticide-free habitat with an alternative food source.

Technical Abstract: The responses of the parasitoid Trichopoda pennipes (F.) to acetamiprid, cyfluthrin, dicrotophos, indoxacarb, oxamyl, and thiamethoxam were determined in laboratory tests. Trichopoda pennipes adults exhibited repellency to food treated with oxamyl, cyfluthrin, indoxacarb, and acetamiprid and diminution of feeding when they actually fed on food containing any of the insecticides. Even though four of the insecticides in this study exhibited antifeedant activity, ingestion of food treated with any of these compounds always resulted in the death of the flies. Therefore, repellency to the insecticides was the only response by the flies that insured their survival. Refuges with sources of food for T. pennipes adults around the field could help conserve these natural enemies by providing an insecticide-free habitat with an alternative food source.