Cyantraniliprole is a novel anthranilic diamide insecticide registered for controlling chewing and sucking insect pests. Here, the lethal and sublethal effects of this insecticide on two destructive lepidopteran pests, Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval and Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel, were evaluated. Because the effects of novel insecticides on beneficial and non-target arthropods must be considered, the impact of cyantraniliprole on a generalist biological control agent, Chrysoperla carnea [Stephens 1836], were also examined. Overall, our study revealed that cyantraniliprole was more toxic to A. ipsilon than to S. littoralis. Moreover, the LC₁₅ and LC₅₀ of the insecticide significantly prolonged the duration of the larval and pupal stages and induced enzymatic detoxification activity in both species. Treatment of the second-instar larvae of C. carnea with the recommended concentration of cyantraniliprole (0.75 mg/L) doubled the mortality rates and resulted in a slight negative effect on the biology and detoxification enzymes of C. carnea. Our results indicate that both sublethal and lethal concentrations of cyantraniliprole can successfully suppress S. littoralis and A. ipsilon populations. They also suggest that C. carnea, as a generalist predator, is compatible with cyantraniliprole under the modelled realistic field conditions. In future investigations, insights into the effects of cyantraniliprole on S. littoralis, A. ipsilon, and C. carnea under field conditions will be required to appropriately validate our results.

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is one of the most dangerous polyphagous pests in the world. Eco-friendly compounds and new chemical insecticides have gained recognition for whitefly control. In this study, the toxicity and biochemical impact of flometoquin, flonicamid, and sulfoxaflor, alone or combined with lemongrass essential oil (EO), against B. tabaci was studied. In addition, a molecular docking study was conducted to assess the binding affinity of the tested compounds to AchE. Based on the LC values, the descending order of the toxicity of the tested compounds to B. tabaci adults was as follows: sulfoxaflor > flonicamid > flometoquin > lemongrass EO. The binary mixtures of each of the tested compounds with lemongrass EO exhibited synergism in all combinations, with observed mortalities ranging from 15.09 to 22.94% higher than expected for an additive effect. Sulfoxaflor and flonicamid, alone or in combination with lemongrass EO, significantly inhibited AchE activity while only flonicamid demonstrated a significant impact on α-esterase, and none of the tested compounds affected cytochrome P450 or GST. However, the specific activity of P450 was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/sulfoxaflor mixture while α-esterase activity was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/flometoquin mixture. Moreover, the lemongrass EO and all the tested insecticides exhibited significant binding affinity to AchE with energy scores ranging from −4.69 to −7.06 kcal/mol. The current findings provide a foundation for utilizing combinations of essential oils and insecticides in the integrated pest management (IPM) of B. tabaci.

The widespread use of pesticides to manage Spodoptera frugiperda has led to significant challenges. This insect has developed resistance to 47 active insecticide ingredients. Therefore, endophytic entomopathogenic bacteria have been explored as an alternative pest management strategy, offering the potential to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. The current study aims to evaluate the colonization potential of indigenous marine Bacillus strains as endophytes in maize plants and to assess their insecticidal activity against S. frugiperda. Four inoculation methods—foliar application, seed treatment, soil drenching, and a combination of all three—were used to establish the Bacillus strains as endophytes in maize plants. Our results showed that the promising native Bacillus strains exhibited both antibacterial and insecticidal effects against S. frugiperda neonates under laboratory conditions. Foliar application of Bacillus sp. Esh39 caused the highest mortality rate (65%), followed by Bacillus tequilensis R39 (60%). However, this method did not significantly enhance plant height or chlorophyll content. The potential of these native Bacillus strains warrants further investigation to improve biological control via endophytic mediation. Our findings provide valuable insights into the bacterial diversity and functionality of mangrove ecosystems and pave the way for innovative, sustainable insect management strategies.

Strawberry and green bean are important cash crops. Both are highly infected by different pests under greenhouse conditions causing reduction in quality and yield. Mites are usually from the most common pests of beans and strawberries. Field experiment was carried out to investigate dissipation of Cyflumetofen (a novel acaricide) in strawberry fruits and green bean pods. Determination was done using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method and cleanup step utilizing dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) followed by gas chromatography coupled with a micro electron capture detector GC/(μ-ECD). Average recoveries were within 80.75-92.15% and 80.86-82.91%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 2.8 to 6.6% and 3.59-4.70%. in strawberry and green bean samples, respectively at spiking levels (0.01 - 1 mg/kg). Linearity was achieved for Cyflumetofen with correlation coefficient R2 > 0.98 and matrix-matched calibration also showed linearity with determination coefficients R2 > 0.98. The initial deposits in strawberry fruits and green bean pods were 2.48 and 3.24 mg/kg, respectively. The half-life period (RL50) in strawberry fruits and green bean pods was 1.81 and 1.16 days, respectively. According to maximum residue level (MRL) which is 0.6 mg/kg, the pre-harvest interval (PHI) was estimated to be 3 days in strawberry fruits.