Sublethal effects of hexaflumuron on development and reproduction of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

Abstract Effects of hexaflumuron at 10% lethal concentration (LC10) and LC25 on development and reproduction parameters of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1753) (Lep.: Yponomeutidae) were investigated. Estimated LC50, LC10 and LC25 values of leaf dip bioassay of hexaflumuron on the third instar larvae of the P. xylostella were 1.48, 0.59 and 0.91 mg/L, respectively. Hexaflumuron decreased pupal weight in the parent generation at sublethal concentrations but in the offspring generation, this effect was not observed. Sublethal concentrations increased egg, first and second larval instar and pupa developmental time and shortened life span of adults, but did not change the third and fourth larval instars and pre-pupa developmental period. Also fecundity of females reduced significantly but hatchability of treatments and control were similar. Survival rate of pre-adult stages declined significantly at LC25 concentration. Reproduction parameters such as reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase in sublethal concentrations were significantly lower compared with control, but gross reproduction rate (GRR) at the LC10 concentration was increased and it could be hormoligosis. Also hexaflumuron significantly increased doubling time (Dt). We conclude that the sublethal effects of hexaflumuron might exhibit significant effects on the population dynamics of P. xylostella.