Agriculture: Peach Pest Management Guidelines

Relative Toxicities of Insecticides and Miticides Used in Peaches to Natural Enemies and Honey Bees

Common name (Example trade name) Mode of Action1 Selectivity (affected groups)2 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
acetamiprid (Assail) 4A moderate (sucking insects, larvae) 7 II moderate
azadirachtin (Neemix) un broad (insects, mites) M L/M L/M II short
Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki 11A narrow (caterpillars) L L L III none
bifenazate (Acramite) un narrow (spider mites) L L L II short
buprofezin (Centaur) 16 narrow (scales) L H8 L II long
carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) 1A broad (insects, mites) M H M I long
chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) 28 narrow (primarily caterpillars) L L L/M III short
clofentezine (Apollo) 10A narrow (mites) L L L III short
diazinon–foliar (Diazinon 50WP) 1B broad (insects, mites) L H H I moderate to long
diflubenzuron (Dimilin) 15 L H L II
esfenvalerate (Asana) 3A broad (insects, mites) H M H I moderate
fenbutatin oxide (Vendex) 12B narrow (pest mites) L L L III short
hexythiazox (Onager, Savey) 10A narrow (mites) L L L II short
imidacloprid (Admire Pro) 4A narrow (sucking insects) M M H I short to moderate
indoxacarb (Avaunt) 22A narrow (caterpillars, plant bugs) L L L 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) H H H I long
petroleum oil un broad (exposed insects, mites) L L L II short to none
phosmet (Imidan) 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate to long
pyridaben (Nexter) 21A broad (insects, mites) H M I short
pyriproxyfen (Seize) 7C narrow (scale, beetles) L H8 L II long
spinetoram (Delegate) 5 narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales) M M9 L/M II moderate10
spinosad (Entrust, Success) 5 narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales) M M9 L/M II short to moderate
spirodiclofen (Envidor) 23 narrow (mites) L II
sulfur un narrow (mites) L/H L H III short
H = high     M = moderate    L = low     — = no information     un = unknown or uncertain mode of action
1 Rotate pesticides 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; insecticides with a 1B group number should be alternated with insecticides that have a group number other than 1B. Mode-of-action group numbers for insecticides and miticides (un=unknown or uncertain mode of action) are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their website at http://www.irac-online.org/.
2 Selectivity: broad means it affects most groups of insects and mites; narrow means it affects only a few specific groups.
3 Toxicities are generally to the native strain of the 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 insecticide depends on factors including the application rate, environmental conditions, and life stage and species of parasite or predator.
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 an increase in spider mite numbers.
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 after, especially for syrphid fly larvae.
10 Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8.
Text Updated: 09/15
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