Pesticide residues in Sparassis crispa and pesticidal efficacy against Lycoriella ingenua

This study aimed to evaluate the pesticidal efficacy and residue levels of lufenuron, teflubenzuron, and spinetoram in Sparassis crispa for potential pesticide registration. Field trials confirmed that all three insecticides effectively controlled Lycoriella ingenua , a major mushroom pest, with efficacy rates exceeding 90 %. Residue analysis was conducted using QuEChERS or SPE combined with chromatography electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), with method validation showing acceptable linearity, recovery, and sensitivity. The mean residues of lufenuron, teflubenzuron, and spinetoram were 0.547, 0.577, and 0.453 mg/kg, respectively, after a single application and a 14-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) at the recommended doses. The hazard quotient (HQ) values of the three pesticides in S. crispa for chronic dietary risk assessment ranged from 0.103 % to 0.416 %. All HQ values were below 100 %, indicating that the health risk to consumers was negligible. These findings provide useful information for pesticide registration and contribute to establishing safe pesticide application guidelines and maximum residue limits (MRLs). • Residue levels of lufenuron, teflubenzuron, and spinetoram in Sparassis crispa were quantified after field application. • All three insecticides showed > 90 % efficacy against Lycoriella ingenua , meeting registration criteria. • Residue concentrations exceeded default MRLs (0.01 mg/kg) but posed negligible dietary risk (HQ < 2 %). • Cumulative dietary risk indicated acceptable consumer safety. • Findings support pesticide registration in S. crispa and provide baseline data for establishing mushroom-specific MRLs.