Sublethal Effects of α-Cypermethrin on the Behavioral Asymmetries and Mating Success of Alphitobius diaperinus

Abstract

Sublethal exposure to insecticides can adversely impact various biological and behavioral characteristics of insects. Although α-cypermethrin has been previously tested for its effects on control of Alphitobius diaperinus, there is no knowledge about the effect of this insecticide on its behavioral asymmetries and mating success. Μales at all exposures (control, LC10, and LC30), that first approached their mate, showed right-biased tendency (approached their mate from their right side) in mate recognition. Females, however, showed variation in this behavior between the three exposures. Right-biased tendency of males in all treatment scenarios led to a higher percentage of successful copulations compared to the three other directions. For males that first approached their mate, the insecticide did not affect their lateralization of the first approach but did affect their copulation success. The duration of copulation time was reduced after the exposure to the insecticide, with the longest duration noted in the control females (63.0 s) and the lowest in the α-cypermethrin LC30 females (46.9 s). Moreover, at the α-cypermethrin LC10 exposure, mate recognition time was reduced, as opposed to α-cypermethrin LC30 exposure where mate recognition time was increased. These results can be further utilized to uncover the behavioral impacts of insecticides, enhancing the effectiveness of pest management in warehouses and poultry production facilities.