Agriculture: Prune Pest Management Guidelines

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

Common name (Example trade name) Mode of action1 Selectivity2(affected groups) Predatory mites3 General predators4 Parasites4 Honey bees5 Duration of impact to natural enemies6
Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki 11A narrow (caterpillars) L L L III none
bifenazate (Acramite) 20D narrow (spider mites) L L L II short
carbaryl (Sevin) 80 1A broad (insects, mites) L/H H H I long
carbaryl (Sevin) XLR Plus 1A broad (insects, mites) L H L I long
diazinon–foliar 1B broad (insects, mites) L H H I moderate to long
diflubenzuron (Dimilin) 15 L H L II
endosulfan (Thionex) 2A broad (insects, mites) L M M II short
esfenvalerate (Asana) 3A broad (insect, 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 to moderate
lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) 3A broad (plant bugs, beetles, caterpillars) H H H I moderate
methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) 18 narrow (caterpillars) L L L II none
neem oil (Trilogy) un broad (soft-bodied) insects) L L L II short
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) I short
pyriproxyfen (Esteem, Seize) 7C narrow (scale, beetles) L H7 L II long
spinosad (Entrust, Success) 5 caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales, leafminers L M8 L/M II short
sulfur un narrow (mites and citrus thrips) L/H L H III short
thiamethoxam (Actara) 4A narrow (sucking insects) 9 M I moderate
H = high     M = moderate      L = low      — = no information      un = unknown or uncertain mode of action
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, 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 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 Kills lady beetles.
8 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.
9 May causes increase in spider mite populations.

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.

Text Updated: 04/09
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