| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| carbaryl (Sevin) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L/H | H | H | I | long |
| fenpropathrin (Danitol) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate to long (21–28 days) |
| kaolin clay (Surround) | un | broad (insects, mites) | M | M | — | III | long |
| methidathion (Supracide) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| petroleum oil | un | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L7 | L | L | II | none to short |
| pyriproxyfen (Esteem) | 7C | broad (insects) | L | H8 | L | II | long |
| pyriproxyfen (Esteem Ant Bait) | 7C | narrow (ants) | L | L | L | III | short to moderate |
| spinosad (GF-120 Fruit Fly Bait) | 5 | narrow (fruit flies) | L | L | L | II | none to short |
| sulfur | un | narrow (mites and citrus thrips) | L/H | M/L | H | III | short |
| 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 the 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. 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 | Rating depends on rate used. |
| 8 | Kills lady beetles. |
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.