Azadirachtin-Based Biopesticide Affects Fitness and Ovarian Development of the Natural Enemy Ceraeochrysa claveri (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Abstract

Plant-derived biopesticides have gained attention in agriculture as a pest control method that minimizes the negative effects caused by conventional synthetic insecticides to natural enemies. Azamax™ is one of the most commercialized biopesticides in Brazil, but little is known about its effects on non-target insects such as Ceraeochrysa claveri, a non-target insect that is economically important as a pest predator, used in this study. To evaluate the toxic effects of azadirachtin on fitness and ovarian development, a total of 450 C. claveri larvae were exposed by ingestion to subdoses (36 mg/L (0.3%) and 60 mg/L (0.5%) of azadirachtin for 15 days and after that, biological parameters and ovarian development were analyzed. The doses tested corresponded to the minimum and maximum concentrations used in the field. The results demonstrated that both tested doses of the biopesticide significantly reduced survival rates, delayed and extended larval and pupal development times, caused malformations in the body, altered the ultrastructure of adult ovaries, and induced cell death in ovarian follicles. Azamax™, a biopesticide marketed as a reduced-risk insecticide, was shown to have detrimental effects on the lifespan and ovarian development of C. claveri.