Effects of Prey-Mediated Sublethal Exposure to Imidacloprid and Nitenpyram on the Fitness and Predation Capacity in Chrysopa pallens

<i>Chrysopa pallens</i> Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a key predatory species in cotton agroecosystems. This study investigated the prey-mediated sublethal effects of imidacloprid and nitenpyram at low concentrations (LC₂₀), on <i>C. pallens</i> when exposed via consumption of contaminated prey, assessing impacts on its development and predatory function. <i>C. pallens</i> is a key predatory species in cotton agroecosystems. This study investigated the prey-mediated sublethal effects of imidacloprid and nitenpyram (LC₂₀) on the developmental performance and predatory capacity of <i>C. pallens</i>. Leaf-dipping bioassays were used to assess the toxicity of imidacloprid and nitenpyram to <i>Aphis gossypii</i> Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Age-stage, two-sex life table analysis was conducted to evaluate their subsequent effects on the life history traits and predation performance of <i>C. pallens</i>. Imidacloprid was more toxic to <i>A. gossypii</i> than nitenpyram. Sublethal exposure marginally prolonged larval development, but the effect was not statistically significant. Both insecticides significantly extended the pupal stage, with nitenpyram inducing a greater delay. Imidacloprid markedly increased adult longevity, and both compounds significantly reduced female fecundity. Imidacloprid also suppress predatory behavior more potently, decreasing daily adult consumption and reducing first-instar attack rates by approximately 30%. Although all treatments followed a Holling type II functional response, both insecticides increased handling time and reduced searching efficiency. Overall, imidacloprid primarily inhibited predatory performance, whereas nitenpyram more strongly prolonged development and reduced critical population growth parameters. These findings provide essential evidence for ecological risk assessment and for refining the incorporation of natural enemies into cotton integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.