Acute Toxicity of Dinotefuran to Scott (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Its Impact on Offspring Growth and Predation Ability in Integrated Pest Management.

In integrated pest management (IPM), achieving a balance between biological and chemical control strategies is essential for effective pest control. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the impact of chemical pesticides on natural enemies. Neonicotinoid insecticides, particularly dinotefuran, are among the most widely used insecticides globally. This study investigated the acute toxicity of dinotefuran to adult predatory natural enemy and evaluated its effects on offspring growth and predation. The results showed that the 72 h median lethal concentrations (LC) of dinotefuran for female and male adults (F) were 0.624 mg/L and 0.592 mg/L, respectively. Exposure to LC concentrations of dinotefuran significantly reduced parental fecundity, longevity, and offspring growth and predatory ability. The most pronounced effects were observed when both female and male adults were exposed. Specifically, the pre-oviposition period was 2.64 times longer than in the control group, oviposition frequency dropped to 18.6%, total fecundity decreased to 13.4%, and the offspring emergence rate was reduced to 50% of the control group's level. Furthermore, predation efficacy of F generation (5th instar nymphs and adults) on and larvae reduced by 52.76% to 66.81%. Exposure of only female adults also led to significant but less severe effects on offspring, while male-only exposure showed the least impact. These findings highlighted the toxicological risks of dinotefuran to , impairing both reproductive and predatory functions, which could undermine biological control and affect the success of IPM strategies.