Home

Non-target arthropod testing with the ladybird beetle (Coccinella septempunctata)

The acute toxicity of Coccinella septempunctata larvae will be measured in the laboratory via contact on treated glass surfaces or treated leaves, respectively, compared to a water treated control and to a reference item. Additionally, an assessment for significant sublethal effects will be made (reproduction assessment). If possible the LR50 value for mortality effects will be calculated.

Study Design

Test organisms

The ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata is recommended as standard species for non-target arthropod regulatory testing for plant protection products (Candolfi et al. 2001).

Course of the test

Exposure time will last until the hatching of the adults. Mortality asessments will be carried out workdaily until the hatching of the beetles. In addition, for the control and the test item treatment groups where the corrected mortality is less than 50 % the reproductive performance of the adults, i.e. egg deposition and larval hatching rate, will be determined over two weeks.

Tailor-made study designs

The study can also be performed in an aged residue design. For this study type plants will be treated under field conditions and the treated leaves will be transferred to the lab after aging of a determined time period. The course of the test is the same as described above.

Endpoints

Larval and pupal mortality; if possible LR50: lethal rate producing 50 % pre-imaginal mortality. Additionally reproductive capacity of survived ladybird beetles.

Guidelines and Literature

  • Schmuck R, Candolfi M.P., Kleiner R., Mead-Briggs M., Moll M, Kemmeter F., Jans, D., Waltersdorfer A. & Wilhelmy H. 2000: A laboratory test system for assessing effects of plant protection products on the plant dwelling insect Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). In M.P. Candolfi, S. Blümel, R. Forster, F.M. Bakker, C. Grimm, S.A. Hassan, U. Heimbach, M.A. Mead-Briggs, B. Reber, R. Schmuck and H. Vogt (eds.) 2000: Guidelines to evaluate side-effects of plant protection products to non-target arthropods. IOBC/WPRS, Gent, pp 45-56