Florida Entomologist (2009) 92, 35-42

Eduardo C. Humeres, Joseph G. Morse, Richard Stouthamer, William Roltsch and Mark S. Hoddle (2009)
Evaluation of natural enemies and insecticides for control of Pseudacysta perseae (Hemiptera: Tingidae) on avocados in southern California
Florida Entomologist 92 (1), 35-42
Abstract: Three natural enemies naturally present in southern California avocado groves were evaluated against different stages of the avocado lace bug, Pseudacysta perseae (Heidemann), in the laboratory. The natural enemies tested were adult females of a predatory thrips, Franklinothrips orizabensis, second instar green lacewing larvae, Chrysoperla rufilabris, and a predaceous mite, Neoseiulus californiens. The most promising natural enemy from laboratory and subsequent greenhouse evaluations was C. rufilabris. In addition to natural enemies, insecticides were evaluated for P. perseae control. The contact impact of less persistent materials on nymphs in the laboratory was assessed. The most effective insecticides based on residual impact studies were carbaryl, imidacloprid, and fenpropathrin, and 2 materials commonly used on avocados in California, abamectin and spinosad, which were ineffective. Among the insecticides evaluated based on contact activity, a pyrethrin mixture was the best treatment followed by petroleum oil and potash soap. The contact insecticides were evaluated for their impact on second instars of C. rufilabris. The pyrethrin mixture was less toxic to C. rufilabris, and because of its low mammalian toxicity this insecticide may be suitable for use with natural enemy releases for homeowners to manage P. perseae populations on backyard avocados.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Eduardo C. Humeres, Mark S. Hoddle, Richard Stouthamer, William J. Roltsch

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pseudacysta perseae	Avocado (Persea americana)	U.S.A. (SW)
Chrysoperla rufilabris (predator)	Pseudacysta perseae	Avocado (Persea americana)	U.S.A. (SW)
Franklinothrips orizabensis (predator)	Pseudacysta perseae	Avocado (Persea americana)	U.S.A. (SW)