| Common name (Example trade name and formulation) |
Mode of action 1 | Selectivity2 (affected groups) | Predatory mites 3 | General predators 4 | Parasites 4 | Honey bees 5 | Duration of impact to natural enemies 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | none |
| dimethoate (EC) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate to long |
| malathion (EC) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | short to moderate |
| H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information | |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 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 label and regulations; 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. |
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 Guidelines database, and from Flint, M. L. and S. H. Dreistadt. 1998. Natural Enemies Handbook: An Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control, ANR Publication 3386.