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Field Selectivity Makes Emamectin Suitable for IPM

S. Aston, L. Streit, K. McKee and C. Clarke

Novartis Crop Protection Australasia Pty. Ltd.

Integrated pest management (IPM) has become a focus for farmers, particularly in cotton and horticulture, where large volumes of insecticides are often used to grow high yielding crops. Selective insecticides are needed to provide effective control of pests, whilst allowing the maintenance of beneficial populations and other non-target species. Emamectin is a new generation avermectin, that is extremely active on target pests (Helicoverpa spp., Tetranychus spp. and Plutella xyostella) at low rates. Its translaminar activity provides residual activity against foliage feeding insects, yet surface residues degrade rapidly, providing a low hazard environment for beneficials. Field and laboratory studies have been conducted on a wide range of beneficial species relevant to both cotton and horticulture. These are summarised below. Overall, the selectivity of emamectin that has been displayed in these trials makes it a useful tool in IPM systems.

Hazard ratings are based on disruption to populations up to 24 hours after application:

Very low disruption

<10% population reduction

Low disruption

10 – 20 % population reduction

Moderate disruption

20 – 40% population reduction

High to very high disruption

>40% population reduction

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the following people for their contribution to this poster; C. McRae, C. van der Hoven, B.Sechser, S. Ayoub, N. Monir, L. Wilson, D. Lally, J. Lytton-Hitchins, M. Jeffs, M. Keller, G. Simpson, R. Lloyd, D. Murray, G. Collett, R. Litzow, D. Harvey, D. Cox, K. Lewis, D. Kilpatrick.

Beneficial species

Common name

Helps to control

Effect from use of EMAMECTIN

Hazard rating

Aphidoletes aphidimyza*

Aphid midge/ Gall-midge

Aphids

No effect on populations exposed to three hour aged residues, high mortality rates (80%) directly after application.

Apis mellifera #

Honey bees

-

No effect on populations 24 hours after application, high mortality rates (100%) directly after application.

Araneidae

Spiders

Heliothis

Little effect on populations up to 13 days after application.

Campylomma liebknechti

Apple dimpling bug

Mites

Suppression of populations, particularly larvae, up to 10 days after application.

Carabidae

Ground beetles

Caterpillars, Cutworms, Snails, Slugs

Little effect on populations.

Coccinellidae

Ladybirds

Aphids, Mites, Heliothis, Scales, Mealybugs

No effect on populations exposed to one hour aged residues, low mortality rates (10%) directly after application.

Cotesia spp.

(several studies, some field, some laboratory)

Cabbage white butterfly parasite/

Parasitic wasp

Diamondback moth, Cabbage white butterfly, Cabbage looper

No effect on populations exposed to two hour aged residues.

Diadegma insularis*

Parasitoid

Diamondback moth

Little effect on populations exposed to 15 hour aged residues, higher mortality rates directly after application (50% at 1 h).

Dicranolaius bellulus

Red and blue beetle

Heliothis

Little effect on populations up to 13 days after application.

Diglyphus begini

Leafminer parasite

Leafminer, Heliothis

Little effect on populations exposed to 15 hour aged residues, higher mortality rates directly after application (50% at 1 h).

Diglyphus isaea*

Parasitic wasp

Leafminer

Up to 20% mortality after exposure to 36 hour aged residues.

Formicidae

Ants

Heliothis

No effect on populations.

Predatory Hemiptera

Various spp.

Heliothis, Aphids, Apple dimpling bug, Mites, Thrips

Little effect on populations. Variation between species has been noted.

Metaseiulus occidentalis*

Western predatory mite

Two-spotted mite, Tomato russet mite

No effect on populations exposed to three hour aged residues, high mortality rates (80%) directly after application.

Microgaster spp.

Parasitoid wasp

Codling moth, Leafrollers

No effect on activity after field application.

Microhymenoptera

Various families

Heliothis

No effect on populations within the first week after application.

Neuroptera

Lacewings

Aphids, Mites

Little effect on populations; may cause suppression of larvae.

Paederus spp.

Rove beetles

Caterpillars, Cutworms, Snails, Slugs

No effect on populations for up to 20 days after application.

Podisus maculiventris*

Spined soldier bug

Caterpillars, Beetles

Little effect on populations exposed to four hour aged residues.

Pteromalus puparus

Cabbage white butterfly pupal parasite

Cabbage white butterfly

No effect on populations exposed to two hour aged residues, higher mortality rates (30%) directly after application.

Trichogramma sp.

Minute wasp

Heliothis

No effect on populations exposed to nine hour aged residues, higher mortality rates (18%) directly after application.

Note: Predatory Hemiptera consist of Deraeocoris spp., Orius sp., Geocoris sp., Nabis sp., Reduviidae, Cermatulus spp. and Oechelia spp. * Denotes overseas studies. # Denotes laboratory studies.

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