Ovicidal action of fenoxycarb on a predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera : Chrysopidae)

The ovicidal action of fenoxycarb was tested on eggs of 2 different ages of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens. Embryonic eggs treated within 24 h of oviposi tion were most sensitive to fenoxycarb. Immersion of eggs in a "field dose" solution (0.075 mg/ml) resulted in an embryo mortality of greater than 50% and a concentration of 0.15 mg/ml resulted in a mortality of greater than 80%. A 20-min prolonged immersion at the field dose solution resulted in ne arly 100% mortality. Treatment of eggs resulted in hatching larvae that had anomalous mortality. Larvae that hatched from treated eggs had abnormal pu pation and metamorphosis. In conclusion, the non-neurotoxic carbamate fenox ycarb, a selective insect growth regulator, was toxic at a low dose to C. c arnea, a relevant pest predator.