LAUSR

Abstract. An alternative to management of agricultural pests is use of insecticides obtained naturally; the approach is a feasible alternative sustainable in an agricultural system. Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) is a plant with toxin that repels or kills insect pests, but few studies focused on damage the insecticide causes natural enemies. The objective of the study was to determine the effect by ingestion of plant extract with a base of A. mexicana on biological parameters and parameters of the life table of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), under laboratory conditions. A. mexicana extract diluted in different solvents slightly affected biological parameters without affecting the intrinsic rate of growth. Mortality increased during susceptible stages of the predator, which inferred stage of development would be affected when the predator consumed prey treated with A. mexicana. More than 50% were killed by some treatments and commercial insecticide imidacloprid evaluated in the study.