Effect of Insecticides on Natural-Enemies

Abstract

Pesticides management options for control of invertebrate pests in many parts of the world. Despite an increase in the use of pesticides, crop losses due to pests have remained largely unchanged for 30–40 years. Beyond the target pests, broad-spectrum pesticides may affect non-target invertebrate species, including causing reductions in natural enemy population abundance and activity, and competition between pest species. Assays of invertebrates against weathered residues have shown the persistence of pesticides might play an important part in their negative impacts on natural enemies in the field. A potential outcome of frequent broad-spectrum pesticide use is the emergence of pests not controlled by the pesticides but benefiting from reduced mortality from natural enemies and competitive release, commonly known as secondary pests.