| Common name (Example trade name) | Mode of action 1 | Selectivity2 (affected groups) | Predatory mites3 | General predators4 | Parasites4 | Honey bees5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| azadirachtin (AZA-Direct, Neemix, Azatin) | un | broad (insects, mites) | M | L/M | L/M | II | short |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. Kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | short |
| bifenazate (Acramite) | un | narrow (mites) | L | L | L | II | short |
| bifenthrin (Brigade, Capture) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin F) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | M/H | H | H | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin) XLR Plus | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | L | I | long |
| chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) | 28 | narrow (primarily caterpillars) | L | L | L/M | III | short |
| cinnamaldehyde (Cinnacure) | un | narrow (mites) | — | — | — | III | short |
| cottonseed/clove/garlic oils (GC-Mite) | un | narrow (mites) | — | — | — | II | short |
| diazinon-foliar (Diazinon 50 W) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| hexythiazox (Savey) | 10A | narrow (mites) | L | L | L | II | short to moderate |
| horticultural oil (Organic JMS stylet oil) |
un | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L | L | L | II | short |
| insecticidal soap (M-Pede) | un | broad (insects, mites) | M | M | M | III | short |
| malathion (Malathion 8) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| neem oil (Trilogy) | un | broad (soft-bodied insects) | L | L | L | II | short |
| pyrethrin (PyGanic) | 3A | broad (insects) | — | M | M | I | short |
| spinetoram (Delegate WG) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, whiteflies) |
L | M7 | L/M | II | moderate8 |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | M7 | L/M | II | short to moderate7 |
| sulfur | un | narrow (mites) | L/H | L | H | III | short |
| tebufenozide (Confirm 2F) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | M | M | I | moderate |
| H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information un = unknown or uncertain mode of action | |
| 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, toxicities are to western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis. Where differences have been measured in toxicity of the pesticide-resistant strain versus the native strain, 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 Ratings. |
| 6 | Duration: short means hours to days; moderate means days to 2 weeks; and long means many weeks or months. |
| 7 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly larva, beetles) when sprayed and shortly after (8-24 hrs). |
| 8 | Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8. |
Acknowledgements: 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.