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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199255
Title: Conservation of natural enemies through use of selective insecticides: recent developments

Author
item Naranjo, Steven
item ELLSWORTH, PETER - U OF A, MAC, MARICOPA, AZ

Submitted to: Bemisia International Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2006
Publication Date: 12/8/2006
Citation: Naranjo, S.E., Ellsworth, P. 2006. Conservation of natural enemies through use of selective insecticides: recent developments. In 4th International Bemisia International Workshop Proceedings, 3-6 December 2006, Duck Key, Florida. Journal of Insect Science. 8:4, P. 124. http://www.insectscience.org/8.04/ref/abstract70.html

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It has been well established that the use of selective insecticides promotes the critical role of biological control in the successful management of Bemisia tabaci within the Arizona Cotton IPM program. An increasing number of putatively selective insecticides have been introduced in recent years, but their potential role in replacement or alternative IPM strategies are unknown. Field studies were undertaken to evaluate and quantify the selectivity of acetamiprid (neonicotinoid), spiromesifen (lipid synthesis inhibitor) for the management of whitefly in cotton. A two year study showed that use of acetamiprid resulted in the decline of fewer taxa of natural enemies compared with conventional, broad-spectrum materials, but that the levels of reduction were similar in taxa negatively affected by both insecticide regimes. The grower-standard insect growth regulators (IGRs) buprofezin and pyriproxyfen were confirmed to be highly selective. An on-going commercial-scale study demonstrated that spiromesifen appears to be equally selective to the IGRs but that selectivity of this new insecticide is dosage dependent. An additional year of field study with spiromesifen and NI-0101 (a new putatively selective compound from Nichino America) is underway in 2006. Results from the acetamiprid study and the preliminary results from the spiromesifen study have led to revision of recommended chemistry within the cotton IPM program. Low to moderate doses of spiromesifen are suggested as an alternative to the IGRs in Stage I of the plan where selectivity is of critical importance. Acetamiprid is suggested for use in Stage II of the IPM plan which promotes the rotation of chemistry across the season, provides for the usage of insecticides with low to moderate levels of selectivity, and eliminates the usage of broad-spectrum materials such as pyrethroids until late in the growing season.