| Common name (Example trade name) | Mode of action1 | Selectivity2 (affected groups) | Predatory mites3 | General predators4 | Parasites4 | Honey bees5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| abamectin (Agri-Mek) | 6 | moderate (mites) | M | L | M/H | I | moderate to predatory mites and affected insects |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | short |
| Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol) | — | broad (insects) | — | — | — | II | — |
| bifenazate (Acramite) | un | narrow (spider mites) | L | L | L | II | short |
| buprofezin (Centaur) | 16 | narrow (sucking insects, beetles) | L | H8 | L | II | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | L | I | long |
| chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) | 28 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L/M | III | short |
| clofentezine (Apollo) | 10A | narrow (mites) | L | L | L | III | short |
| diazinon | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| diflubenzuron (Dimilin) | 15 | — | L | H | L | II | — |
| esfenvalerate (Asana) | 3A | broad (insect, mites) | H | M | H | I | moderate |
| flonicamid (Beleaf) | 9C | narrow (aphids) | L | L | L | III | short |
| hexythiazox (Onager, Savey) | 10A | narrow (mites) | M | L | L | II | short to moderate |
| imidacloprid (Admire Pro) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | — | L | — | I | — |
| indoxacarb (Avaunt) | 22A | narrow (caterpillars, plant bugs) | L | L | L | I | moderate |
| lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) | 3A | broad (plant bugs, beetles, caterpillars) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| neem oil (Trilogy) | — | broad (soft-bodied insects) | L | L | L | II | short |
| petroleum oil | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L7 | L | L | II | short to none |
| phosmet (Imidan) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| pyriproxyfen (Seize) | 7C | narrow (scale, beetles) | L | H8 | L | II | long |
| spinetoram (Delegate) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, aphids, scales) | M | M9 | L/M | II | moderate10 |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, aphids, scales) | M | M9 | L/M | II | short to moderate |
| spinosad (Seduce insect bait) | 5 | narrow (earwigs) | L | L | L | II | short to moderate |
| spirodiclofen (Envidor) | 23 | narrow (mites) | L | — | — | II | — |
| spirotetramat (Movento) | 23 | narrow (aphids, scale, psyllids, whiteflies) | L | L | L | II | short |
| thiamethoxam (Actara) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | —11 | — | M | I | moderate |
| H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information | |
| 1 | Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season to help prevent development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode-of-action group numbers ( un = unknown or uncertain mode of action) are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). |
| 2 | Selectivity: Broad means it affects most groups of insects and mites; narrow means it affects only a few specific groups. |
| 3 | Generally, toxicites are to western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis. Where differences have been measured, these are listed as pesticide-resistant strain/native strain. |
| 4 | Toxicities are averages of reported effects and should be used only as a general guide. Actual toxicity of a specific chemical depends on the species of predator or parasite, environmental conditions, and application rate. |
| 5 | Ratings are as follows: I–Do not apply or allow to drift to plants that are flowering; II—Do not apply or allow to drift to plants that are flowering, except when the application is made between sunset and midnight if allowed by the pesticide label and regulations; III—No bee precaution, except when required by the pesticide label or regulations. For more information about pesticide synergistic effects, see Bee Precaution Pesticide Rating. |
| 6 | Duration: Short means hours to days; moderate means days to 2 weeks; and long means many weeks or months. |
| 7 | Rating depends on rate used. |
| 8 | Kills lady beetles. |
| 9 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5-7 days. |
| 10 | Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8. |
| 11 | May cause increase in spider mite numbers. |
Acknowledgments: This table was compiled based on research data and experience of University of California scientists who work on a variety of crops and contribute to the Pest Management Guideline database, and from Flint, M.L. and S.H. Dreistadt. 1998. Natural Enemies Handbook: An Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control, ANR Publication 3386.