Agriculture: Potato Pest Management Guidelines

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

Common name (trade name) Mode of action1 Selectivity2 (affected groups) Predatory mites3 General predators4 Parasites4 Honey bees5 Duration of impact to natural enemies6
abamectin (Agri-Mec) 6 moderate (psyllids) M L M/H I moderate to affected insects
carbaryl, bait (Sevin Bait) 1A narrow (cutworms) L L L III short
carbaryl (Sevin) 1A broad (insects) M/H M/H H I long
cyfluthrin (Baythroid, Leverage) 3A broad (insects) H H H I moderate
dinotefuran (Venom) 4A narrow (sucking and chewing insects) L L I short
esfenvalerate (Asana) 3A broad (insects) H M H I moderate
ethoprop (Mocap) –soil appl. 1B narrow (soil insects) L L L II short
imidacloprid (Admire Pro) 4A narrow (sucking and chewing insects) L I
indoxacarb (Avaunt) 22A narrow (caterpillars) L L I moderate
lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) 3A broad (plant bugs, beetles, caterpillars, psyllids) H H H I moderate
methomyl (Lannate) 1A broad (insects) H H H I moderate
novaluron (Rimon) 15 narrow (caterpillars) L L I short
pymetrozine (Fulfill) 9B narrow (sucking insects) L L L II short
spinetoram (Radiant) 5 narrow (aphids, caterpillars, psyllids, whiteflies) L/H M7 L/M II moderate9
spinosad (Entrust, Success) 5 narrow (caterpillars, psyllids) L M7 L/M II moderate7
spiromesifen (Oberon SC) 23 narrow (psyllids, whiteflies) L L L II
spirotetramat (Movento) 23 narrow (sucking insects) L L L II short
thiamethoxam (Platinum, Cruiser) 4A narrow (sucking insects, wireworms) 8 M I moderate
H = high      M = moderate     L = low     — = no information
1 Rotate insecticides 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).
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 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 including weeds. Do not allow pesticide to contaminate water accessible to bees including puddles. II–Do not apply or allow to drift to plants that are flowering including weeds, except when the application is made between sunset and midnight if allowed by the label and regulations. Do not allow pesticide to contaminate water accessible to bees including puddles. III–No bee precaution, except when required by the label or regulations. For more information, 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 Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5 to 7 days after, especially for syrphid fly larvae.
8 May cause an increase in spider mites
9 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, ANR Publication 3386.

Text Updated: 04/19
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