Transgenerational effects of a mixture of abamectin and thiamethoxam on demographic traits of Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maedeh Nazari 1
Amin Sadeghi 2
Mostafa Maroufpoor 3
1 1Department of Plant Protection, Agriculture faculty, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
2 Department of Plant Protection, Agriculture faculty, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
3 Department of Plant Protection, Agriculture Faculty, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract
Phytoseiid mites are essential natural enemies in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, offering eco-friendly alternatives to chemical control strategies. Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) is a commercially significant predatory mite extensively used against soft-bodied pests, including spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. This study determined the sublethal effects of two concentrations (LC5 and LC8) of a mixture of abamectin and thiamethoxam on the demographic traits of A. swirskii progeny (F1 generation) produced by parents (F0 generation) treated using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory at a constant environmental condition (25 ± 1°C, 75±5% RH, and a 16:8 [L:D] photoperiod). The experiments employed the age-stage, two-sex life table approach, with the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) serving as prey. Female life span was significantly shorter at LC₈ (9.49 days) than at LC₅ (10.29 days), whereas male life span did not differ significantly between LC₅ (9.38 days) and LC₈ (9.27 days). Net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly lower in both pesticide treatments than in the untreated control, whereas no significant differences were detected between LC₅ and LC₈. In contrast, the mean generation time (T) differed significantly among all treatments. These findings suggest that even low concentrations of this product can compromise key life history traits of A. swirskii, potentially limiting its efficacy in biological control programs. Therefore, evaluating the compatibility of acaricides with natural enemies is critical prior to their inclusion in IPM strategies.
Keywords
Abamectin
Amblyseius swirskii
Life table
Sublethal effects
Thiamethoxam
Subjects
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Available Online from 19 July 2026