Journal of Applied Entomology (2009) 133, 201-209

J.A. Tansey, L.M. Dosdall and B.A. Keddie (2009)
Phyllotreta cruciferae and Phyllotreta striolata responses to insecticidal seed treatments with different modes of action
Journal of Applied Entomology 133 (3), 201-209
Abstract: The strategy used most commonly in western North America to protect seedlings of canola (Brassica rapa L. and Brassica napus L.) from attack by adults of the flea beetles Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) and Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) involves planting seed coated with insecticide for systemic activity. Previous research determined that the two beetle species responded differently to the most commonly used neonicotinoid seed dressings. However, other insecticides that exploit different modes of action have commercial potential for managing infestations of these pests, but no information exists on their efficacies for these flea beetle species. Studies were conducted to compare effects of the neonicotinoid compounds, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, to spinosyn and fipronil as systemic seed treatments for reducing feeding damage to canola seedlings and increasing mortality of P. cruciferae and P. striolata. Phyllotreta cruciferae experienced greater mortality and caused less feeding damage than P. striolata to seedlings treated with the neonicotinoid compounds. Mortality increased and feeding damage decreased significantly when beetles fed upon seedlings treated with fipronil, indicating its potential usefulness for control of these pests. However, spinosyn seed treatment was relatively ineffective against either beetle species. Higher rates of P. striolata mortality with fipronil than thiamethoxam suggest that fipronil may provide improved flea beetle control over hundreds of thousands of hectares in western North America where flea beetle populations are dominated by P. striolata, and control with thiamethoxam has been suboptimal.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): James A. Tansey, Lloyd M. Dosdall, Basil Andrew Keddie

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phyllotreta cruciferae	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)	Canada (west)
	Phyllotreta striolata	Rape/canola (Brassica napus)	Canada (west)