| Common name (example trade name) | Mode of action1 | Selectivity2 (affected groups) |
Predatory mites3 | General predators4 | Parasites4 | Honey bees5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| acephate (97Up) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | M/H | I | moderate |
| acetamiprid (Assail) | 4A | moderate (sucking insects, larvae) | —7 | —8 | M/H | II | moderate |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Dipel) | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | none |
| bifenthrin (Brigade) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | long |
| buprofezin (Centaur) | 16 | narrow (sucking insects, beetles) | L | H 9 | L | II | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin 4F) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | M/H | H | H | I | long |
| carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | long |
| chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) | 28 | narrow (primarily caterpillars) | L | L | L/M | III | short |
| cyfluthrin (Baythroid) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| emamectin benzoate (Proclaim) | 6 | narrow (caterpillars) | — | — | — | I | — |
| etoxazole (Zeal Miticide 1) | 10B | narrow (mites) | M | L | L | II | short |
| fenpropathrin (Danitol) | 3A | narrow (sucking insects) | — | — | — | I | short |
| fenpyroximate (Fujimite) | 21A | narrow (mites) | H | L | L | III | short |
| imidacloprid (Admire Pro) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | M | M | H | I | short to moderate |
| lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II with Zeon) | 3A | broad (beetles, caterpillars) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| permethrin (Ambush, Pounce) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | H | I | long |
| phosmet (Imidan) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| pyriproxyfen (Seize) | 7C | narrow (sucking insects) | L | H9 | L | II | short |
| spinetoram (Delegate) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales, leafminers) | L/M | M10 | M/H | II | moderate11 |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales, leafminers) | M | M10 | M | II | short |
| spirodiclofen (Envidor 2SC) | 23 | narrow (mites) | M | L | L | II | short |
| spirotetramat (Movento) | 23 | narrow (mealybugs, aphids) | L | L | L | II | 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). For additional information, see their Web site 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 | Generally, toxicities 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 | May cause flare-ups of spider mite populations. |
| 8 | Does not kill adults but sterilizes females. |
| 9 | Kills lady beetles. |
| 10 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5-7 days after. |
| 11 | 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.