Chlorantraniliprole, an anthranilic diamide insecticide, has emerged as a promising solution for controlling agricultural pests because of its low mammalian toxicity and selectivity towards non-target organisms. This study investigated the sublethal effects of chlorantraniliprole on the mobility behavior of two significant stored-product pests, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Contact toxicity assays revealed varying susceptibility levels between the two species, with S. zeamais showing higher sensitivity. Subsequent analysis of mobility behavior, both in the presence and absence of food, indicated significant differences between chlorantraniliprole-exposed and control groups. While S. oryzae exhibited altered locomotion patterns and a decreased number of food approaches at sublethal concentrations, S. zeamais displayed increased walking time and reduced immobility periods. These findings highlight the importance of considering sublethal effects in understanding the overall impact of chlorantraniliprole on stored-product pests. Further research into the long-term consequences of sublethal exposure is warranted to inform more effective pest management strategies in storage.

Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most destructive pests of stored grains worldwide. Sublethal concentrations of insecticides are known to influence insect behavior, potentially disrupting critical processes such as mating. This study investigated the effects of λ-cyhalothrin at the lethal concentration (LC) values LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ and lateralization on the mating behavior patterns of S. zeamais males. Results showed that the exposure to sublethal concentrations of λ-cyhalothrin significantly altered the copulation success rate and key time-related parameters, including mate recognition and copulation duration, while the lateralization caused significant differences in mating time-related parameters within each tested group (control, LC_10, and LC₃₀). Additionally, the λ-cyhalothrin-treated groups showed prolonged mate recognition times and required more mounting attempts to achieve mating. These findings highlight the potential of sublethal insecticide applications to control S. zeamais populations by impairing reproduction.