Insecticides and the Tiny Warriors of Agroforestry

Insecticides are a big deal in the world of farming. They help control pests but can be a problem for tiny, helpful creatures like Trichogramma ostriniae. This tiny wasp is a big helper in managing pests in agroforestry. But, the widespread use of insecticides can harm it. Four insecticides were tested: chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate, phoxim, and lambda-cyhalothrin. The goal was to see how they affect the wasp's reproduction, ability to parasitize pests, and overall health. Phoxim was found to be the most toxic, while chlorfenapyr was the least. Emamectin benzoate was considered high risk, while the others were extremely high risk. When the wasp was exposed to these chemicals during its larval and pupal stages, it had a tough time emerging. Lambda-cyhalothrin, emamectin benzoate, and chlorfenapyr made it harder for the wasp to handle prey and reduced its ability to parasitize pests. Phoxim, on the other hand, increased the time it took to handle prey but improved parasitism efficiency. All the insecticides affected the wasp's protective enzymes and induced detoxification enzymes. They also increased reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I levels, while decreasing adenosine triphosphate levels. This shows that insecticides have different effects on T. ostriniae, and it's important to choose them carefully to balance pest control and the conservation of natural enemies. In the end, it's clear that insecticides can have a big impact on these tiny warriors. Farmers and scientists need to think carefully about which chemicals to use. The goal should be to control pests while also protecting the helpful creatures that naturally manage them. This way, agroforestry can be sustainable in the long run.