Side-effects of azadirakhtin (NeemAzal) and flubendiamide (Takumi) on functional response of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the parasitoids which is used against various lepidopteran insect pests in Iran. Due to extensive application of chemical pesticides in farms, studying their side effects on natural enemies is necessary in order to evaluate their probable detrimental effects, in case of application in IPM programs. In this study, side-effects of two prevalent insecticides, flubendiamide and azadirachtin, on functional response of H. hebetor to different densities of ۵th instar larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller were evaluated in laboratory conditions. Host densities of ۲, ۴, ۸, ۱۶, ۳۲ and ۶۴ were exposed to randomly selected treated females of H. hebetor in Petri dishes. Ten replications were considered for each host density. The control was treated with water. The results revealed a type ΙΙ response for all treatments. This study showed that flubendiamide and azadirachtin had the lowest (۰.۲۶۹h) and highest values (۱.۸۲۲h) of handling times, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest values of searching efficiency were observed in the flubendiamide (۰.۱۸۸h–۱) and azadirachtin (۰.۰۳۹۶ h–۱) treated wasps, respectively. According to the results of the study, flubendiamide may be more compatible with biological control agent in IPM programs.