Toxicity of acaricides to eggs and adults of Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of thirteen acaricides on eggs and adults of the lacewing Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861). The acaricides were sprayed using a Potter's tower at the rate recommended for mite control in citrus orchard. The trials were performed in climatic chamber at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH and photophase of 12 hours. The egg stage showed high tolerance to the tested acaricides. Carbosulfan and triazophos caused 100% adult mortality, whereas bifenthrin and fenpropathrin caused around 60%. All other acaricides, dicofol, bromopropylate, tetradifon, clofentezine, abamectin, hexythiazox, cyhexatin and fenibutatin oxide did not cause mortality of C. cubana adult. Flufenoxuron reduced adult egg laying and all eggs were nonviable. According to IOBC scale, the acaricides carbosulfan, triazophos and flufenoxuron were classified into class 4 = harmful; bifenthrin and fenpropathrin into class 2 = slightly toxic; and dicofol, clofentezine, abamectin, hexythiazox, cyhexatin, and fenbutatin oxide into class 1 = harmless to C. cubana. The compounds classified as first class may be recommended in programs of integrated pest management of citrus aiming at the integration between the biological and chemical control through this kind of predator.