| Common name (Example trade name and formulation) | 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 | |
| acetamiprid (Assail 70WP) | 4A | moderate (sucking insects/larvae) | —7 | —8 | — | II | moderate |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | short |
| buprofezin (Courier SC) | 16 | narrow (sucking insects, beetles) | L | H9 | L | II | long |
| clothianidin (Belay) | 4A | lygus, aphids | — | M/L | M/L | I | long |
| esfenvalerate (Asana XL) | 3A | broad (insect, mites) | H | M | H | I | moderate |
| fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex) | 12B | narrow (pest mites) | L | L | L | III | short |
| fenpropathrin (Danitol) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | — |
| flonicamid (Beleaf) | 9C | — | L | L | — | III | short |
| imidacloprid (Admire Pro) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects, armyworms) | — | L | — | I | — |
| insecticidal soap (M-Pede) | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L | L | L | III | short |
| malathion (Malathion 8) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | M | H | H | I | moderate |
| methomyl (Lannate SP, LV) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| novaluron (Rimon) | 15 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | — | I | short |
| oxamyl (Vydate) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| permethrin (Pounce WP) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | long |
| petroleum oil | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L10 | L | L | II | short |
| pymetrozine (Fulfill) | 9B | narrow (aphids, whiteflies) | L | L | L | II | short |
| pyrethrin (PyGanic EC) | 3A | broad (insects) | — | M | M | I | short |
| pyriproxyfen (Knack) | 7C | narrow (aphids, whiteflies) | L | H9 | L | II | short |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids) | M | M11 | L/M | II | short to moderate |
| spiromesifen (Oberon 2SC) | 23 | narrow (psyllids, mites, whiteflies) | — | — | — | II | moderate |
| spirotetramat (Movento) | 23 | narrow (aphids, scale, psyllids, whiteflies) | L | L | L | II | short |
| tebufenozide (Confirm) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| thiamethoxam (Actara, Platinum) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | —12 | — | 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 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. |
| 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 | May cause flare-ups of spider mite populations. |
| 8 | Acute toxicity low but reproductive capacity is impacted. |
| 9 | Kills lady beetles. |
| 10 | Rating depends on rate used. |
| 11 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5 to 7 days after. |
| 12 | 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.