| Common name (trade name) |
Mode of action1 | Selectivity2 (affected groups) |
Predatory mites3 | General predators4 | Parasites4 | Honey bees5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawaii | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | none |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | none |
| carbaryl (Sevin) 50, 80 | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L/H | H | H | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin) XLR | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin) XLR Plus | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | L | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin) carbaryl bait | 1A | — | L | L | L | III | short |
| clothianidin (Poncho) | 4A | narrow (soil insects) | — | — | — | I | — |
| dimethoate (Cygon) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | long |
| disulfoton (Di-Syston) | 1B | broad (insect, mites) | H | H | H | II | — |
| endosulfan (Thiodan) | 2A | broad (insects, mites) | L | M | M | II | short |
| esfenvalerate (Asana) | 3A | broad (insect, mites) | H | M | H | I | moderate |
| indoxacarb (Avaunt) | 22A | narrow (caterpillars) | — | L | L | I | moderate |
| malathion | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methomyl (Lannate) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | none |
| permethrin (Ambush, Pounce) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | long |
| petroleum oils | un | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L | L | L | II | short to none |
| propargite (Comite) | 12C | narrow (pest mites) | M7 | L | L | III | short |
| spinetoram (Radiant) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, aphids) | L | M8 | L/M | II | moderate9 |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, aphids) | L | M8 | L/M | II | short to moderate8 |
| spiromesifen (Oberon) | 23 | narrow (mites) | — | — | — | II | |
| thiamethoxam (Cruiser)–seed trt. | 4A | narrow (seedcorn maggot, wireworms) | — | — | — | NA | short to none |
| H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information un = unknown or uncertain mode of action NA = not applicable | |
| 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 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 Ratings. |
| 6 | Duration: Short means hours to days; moderate means days to 2 weeks; and long means many weeks or months. |
| 7 | Use lowest rates for best management of western predatory mite/spider mite ratio. |
| 8 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5-7 days after, especially for syrphid fly larvae. |
| 9 | 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.