Background: Chlorantraniliprole is a novel insecticide belonging to the class of selective ryanodine receptor agonists. The aims of this study were to evaluate the toxicity and the length of residual activity of chlorantraniliprole against the grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller), larvae and eggs, under laboratory and field conditions.
Results: Dose-response bioassays showed that chlorantraniliprole had a high level of toxicity to neonate larvae of L. botrana. In field trials, chlorantraniliprole applied at 35 mg AI L(-1) was as effective against the larvae as the commercial standard reference, chlorpyrifos-ethyl, and had a long-lasting effect. When applied at a field rate of 35 mg AI L(-1), chlorantraniliprole caused greater than 20% egg mortality. The toxic effect of chlorantraniliprole is completed by its substantial activity against neonates emerging from eggs.
Conclusion: Chlorantraniliprole can be considered as a useful tool for L. botrana control, providing a new standard in efficacy and an extremely good residual control. The combined effects against eggs and larvae of grapevine moth should contribute to its efficacy in the field. The new mode of action of chlorantraniliprole and its safety to beneficials and non-target organisms would be extremely useful in IPM and for managing resistance to insecticides.