Biosafety evaluation of selected synthetic and botanical pesticides on the life parameters of seven spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Abstract

This study investigates the comparative biosafety of neem extract, castor oil, thiamethoxam, and propiconazole against the seven-spotted ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, through three distinct application methods: topical, dietary, and residual methods. Adult C. septempunctata were reared under controlled conditions and exposed to five different concentrations of each treatment over a ten-day period. The study utilized a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications for precise evaluation. The biosafety of treatments was measured by monitoring mortality rates and comparing the effects of synthetic pesticides (thiamethoxam and propiconazole) and biopesticides (neem extract and castor oil) on C. septempunctata. The results revealed that synthetic pesticides exhibited significantly higher mortality rates compared to biopesticides. In contrast, neem extract and castor oil showed lower and more variable mortality rates, indicating their relatively safer profile for beneficial insects. The study's findings highlight the effectiveness of synthetic pesticides in pest control but also underscore their potential risks to non-target beneficial species. Conversely, biopesticides, while less lethal, offer a more sustainable approach for IPM by mitigating harm to beneficial insects. The results emphasize the need for careful selection of pest control methods to balance efficacy with environmental safety in agricultural practices.