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Short and long-term effects of three neurotoxic insecticides on biological and behavioural attributes of the orb-web spider Alpaida veniliae (Araneae, Araneidae): implications for IPM programs

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Abstract

Soybean pest control in Argentina is done just by chemical control using broad-spectrum pesticides. Alpaida veniliae (Araneae, Araneidae) is one of the most abundant spider species of the orb web weaver guild in soybean, and it is considered a very important polyphagous predator, attacking different insects’ families. The objective of this study was to determine if neurotoxic insecticides commonly used in soybean crops and a new active ingredient registered in Argentina (spinosad) adversely affected survival, prey consumption, mating behaviour, web building and reproductive capacity of A. veniliae females, under standard laboratory conditions. Spinosad was the most harmful insecticide due to high acute toxicity, even at lower concentrations than those registered for its field use and for its sublethal effects also. Cypermethrin caused several sublethal effects although its acute toxicity on spider was lower than other insecticides. It reduced prey consumption, affected web building, caused abnormalities in eggs sacs and decreased drastically the fecundity and fertility at sublethal concentrations. Endosulfan did not reduce prey consumption but it affected web building, caused abnormalities in eggs sacs and egg masses, and decreased the fecundity and fertility. Spinosad was also the compound with the most drastic effect on web building, it did not reduce prey consumption and fecundity, but fertility was reduced and abnormalities in egg sacs and egg masses were observed. The use of these insecticides in IPM programs according to their potential toxicity on spider communities is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a PICT 0115150 BID 1728 OCAR project from the Argentine National Agency for the Promotion of Science and Technology (ANPCyT). The authors thank to Gleba SA and DowAgrosciences SA for the donation of Glexthrin®, Endosulfan 25® and Tracer® samples, respectively. We thank also to R. Sosa and A. Cabrera for their valuable assistance in the field and laboratory work. We are also indebted to two anonymous reviewers for constructive criticism.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-CONICET La Plata-UNLP), Calle 2 No 584, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Marco A. Benamú, Marcela I. Schneider, Alda González & Norma E. Sánchez

  2. Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (IIBCE), Av. Italia No 3318, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Marco A. Benamú

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  1. Marco A. Benamú
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  2. Marcela I. Schneider
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  4. Norma E. Sánchez
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Correspondence to Marcela I. Schneider.

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Benamú, M.A., Schneider, M.I., González, A. et al. Short and long-term effects of three neurotoxic insecticides on biological and behavioural attributes of the orb-web spider Alpaida veniliae (Araneae, Araneidae): implications for IPM programs. Ecotoxicology 22, 1155–1164 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-013-1102-9

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