Impact of Insecticides on Pest-Parasitoid Interactions in Mango

The study assessed the effect of insecticides on pest-parasitoid interactions in mango orchard. Field trials were conducted in both sprayed and unsprayed fields, with observations recorded at three intervals: one day before spraying (pre-treatment), three days after spraying (3 DAS) and ten days after spraying (10 DAS). Results revealed a substantial decline in parasitism rates in insecticide-treated field, particularly following the application of broad-spectrum chemicals such as chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin. Conversely, selective insecticides like spinosad exhibited relatively lower adverse effects on parasitoid activity. The reduction in parasitism rates in treated plots highlighted the disruption of natural biological control mechanisms. The study underscores the need for selective and targeted insecticide use to minimize the negative impacts on beneficial parasitoid populations, promoting sustainable pest management strategies in mango ecosystems.