| This research examined the toxicity of reduced risk insecticides (imidacloprid, abamectin, metaflumizone, and chlorantraniliprole) and fungicides (myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, and cyprodinil + fludioxonil) used or with promise for use in Canadian greenhouse vegetable production to three species of arthropod biological control agents [Orius insidiosus Say, Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot), and Eretmocerus eremicus Rose & Zolnerowich] and bumble bees [Bombus impatiens (Cresson)]. Imidacloprid, abamectin, and metaflumizone were moderately harmful to harmful at high concentrations when applied directly to bumble bees and caused sub-lethal effects on worker lifespan and brood production following oral exposure. Metaflumizone was harmful as a direct application, but did not induce sub-lethal changes. Chlorantraniliprole, myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, and cyprodinil + fludioxonil were harmless to bumble bees. Generally, pesticide residues were harmless to adult O. insidiosus, A. swirskii, and E. eremicus. However, metaflumizone was slightly harmful to E. eremicus. I conclude that metaflumizone, chlorantraniliprole, myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate, or cyprodinil + fludioxonil can be applied for greenhouse vegetable pest management with minimal harm to bumble bees and biological control agents. |
