| 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. aizawai | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki | 11A | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | III | short |
| carbaryl (Sevin bait) | 1A | narrow (cutworms, army-worms, grasshoppers, etc.) | L | L | L | III | short |
| carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | L | H | L | I | long |
| chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) | 28 | narrow (primarily caterpillars) | L | L | L/M | III | short |
| esfenvalerate (Asana) | 3A | broad (insects, mites) | H | M | H | I | moderate |
| imidacloprid (Admire) | 4A | narrow (sucking insects, beet armyworm, cutworms) | — | L | — | I | — |
| insecticidal soap (M-Pede) | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | M | M | M | III | short |
| methomyl (Lannate) | 1A | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | moderate |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) | 18 | narrow (caterpillars) | L | L | L | II | short |
| naled (Dibrom) | 1B | broad (insects, mites) | H | H | H | I | — |
| petroleum oils | — | broad (exposed insects, mites) | L8 | L | L | II | short |
| phorate (Thimet granules) | 1B | — | — | — | — | III | short |
| spinetoram (Radiant SC) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, scales, leafminers) | L/M | M8 | M/H | II | moderate9 |
| spinosad (Entrust, Success) | 5 | narrow (caterpillars, whiteflies, aphids, leafminers) | L/H | M10 | L/M | II | short to moderate |
| sulfur | — | narrow (mites) | L/H | M/L | H | III | short |
| 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. 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 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. |
| 7 | Not hazardous to bees when applied at least 4 weeks before bloom. |
| 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 | Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8. |
| 10 | Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly larvae) when sprayed and shortly after (8-24 hours). |
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.