Novel diamide insecticide, tetraniliprole, inhibits the population growth and development of Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with different susceptibility levels, through its lethal and sublethal effects.

The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a significant invasive species globally, inflicting considerable damage on tomato industry. Tetraniliprole is a new type of diamide insecticides, which can effectively control lepidoptera insects. In this study, we investigated both the acute toxicity and sublethal effects of tetraniliprole on T. absoluta populations exhibiting varying susceptibility levels. The results indicated that the LC50 of tetraniliprole for the susceptible strains (SX-S) and tetraniliprole-selection strains (Tet-R) were 0.31 and 21.22 mg·L-1, respectively. The Tet-R strain showed 68.45-fold higher resistance than the SX-S strain. Tetraniliprole exposure at LC10 and LC30 significantly prolonged larval duration in F0 generation SX-S and Tet-R strains. The pupal stage, pupal weight, and fecundity of the SX-S strain were significantly decreased, while only pupal weight was significantly reduced in the Tet-R strain. Moreover, LC30 of tetraniliprole significantly affected the r, λ, R0, and T of the Tet-R strain but had no significant impact on the SX-S strain. Additionally, sublethal tetraniliprole concentrations showed transgenerational effects on the F1 generation. The egg stage of the SX-S and Tet-R strains were significantly prolonged. Tetraniliprole significantly affected the R0, T and GRR of the SX-S strain, while only T was significantly affected in the Tet-R strain. In conclusion, tetraniliprole inhibited the growth and development of T. absoluta. Moreover, different susceptibility levels significantly influenced the sublethal effects and transgenerational effects of tetraniliprole on T. absoluta. These findings serve as a reference for the scientific use of tetraniliprole, and the IPM of T. absoluta.