| Common name (Example trade name) |
Mode of action1 | Selectivity 2 (affected groups) | Predatory mites 3 | General predators 4 | Parasites 4 | Honey bees 5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| azadirachtin (Aza-Direct) | un | broad (insects, mites) | M | L/M | L/M | II | short |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | none |
| buprofezin (Applaud) | 16 | narrow (sucking insects) | L | H 8 | L | II | long |
| chlorantraniliprole (Altacor) | 28 | narrow (caterpillars) | — | — | — | III | — |
| clothianidin (Belay) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | — | M/H | M/H | I | long |
| hydramethylnon (Amdro Pro bait) | 20A | narrow (ants) | — | — | — | — | — |
| flupyradifurone (Sivanto Prime) | 4D | broad (sucking insects) | L | M | H | I | moderate |
| Imidacloprid, systemic (Admire Pro) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | — 7 | — | H | I | short to moderate |
| Imidacloprid, foliar (Admire Pro) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects) | — 7 | — | H | I | short to moderate |
| methomyl (Lannate) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | none |
| mineral oil | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L9 | L | L | II | short to none |
| neem oil (Trilogy) | — | broad (soft-bodied insects) | L | L | L | II | short |
| pyrethrins (Evergreen, PyGanic) | 3A | broad (insects) | — | M | M | I | short |
| rosemary oil/peppermint oil (Ecotrol) | — | broad (soft-bodied insects) | L | L | L | III | short |
| spinetoram (Delegate) | 5 | broad (aphids, caterpillars, scales) | L/M | M | M/H | II | moderate10 |
| spinosad (Entrust) | 5 | narrow (aphids, caterpillars, scales) | L | M | L/M | II | short |
| spirotetramat (Movento) | 23 | narrow (sucking insects) | H | L | L | II | short |
| sulfur | un | narrow (mites, 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 for insecticides and miticides 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 | Toxicities are generally 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 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 mites. |
| 8 | Kills lady beetles. |
| 9 | Rating depends on rate used. |
| 10 | Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8. |
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, UC ANR Publication 3386.