Pest Management Science (2011) 67, 1237-1244
Ignacio Colomer, Pedro Aguado, Pilar Medina, Rosa María Heredia, Alberto Fereres, José Eduardo Belda and Elisa Viñuela (2011)
Field trial measuring the compatibility of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid with Orius laevigatus Fieber (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a commercial pepper greenhouse
Pest Management Science 67 (10), 1237-1244
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are among the most serious pests of sweet peppers in greenhouses. Chemical control is difficult because of their high reproductive rates and insecticide resistance, and seasonal inoculative releases of Orius laevigatus (Fieber) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) are commonly used to reduce their populations. As chemical treatments are often needed in the crop against other pests, the side effects of methoxyfenozide (an insect growth regulator against lepidopteran pests) and flonicamid (a selective feeding inhibitor against sucking insects) were studied in both beneficial organisms in a commercial greenhouse.
RESULTS: Orius laevigatus and A. swirskii were released at commercial rates (4-5 and 100 m−2), and a strong establishment and a very homogeneous distribution were reached. One pesticide treatment with the maximum field recommended concentration of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid (96 and 100 mg AI L−1) was done when they were well established, and their population levels were not affected either immediately or up to 30 days after treatment.
CONCLUSION: The results are indicative of no impact of methoxyfenozide and flonicamid on the two natural enemies in the field, and both can be considered as potential alternatives to be included in IPM programmes in sweet pepper.
(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): Alberto Fereres, Pilar Medina, Elisa Viñuela
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
health/environmental effects of pesticides
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance to pesticides
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bemisia tabaci | ||||
| Frankliniella occidentalis | ||||
| Orius laevigatus (predator) | Bemisia tabaci | Spain (continental) | ||
| Orius laevigatus (predator) | Frankliniella occidentalis | |||
| Amblyseius swirskii (predator) | Bemisia tabaci | Spain (continental) | ||
| Amblyseius swirskii (predator) | Frankliniella occidentalis |
