Pesticides selectivity list to beneficial arthropods in four field vegetable crops

Selectivity of pesticides to beneficial arthropods is a key data for the implementation of IPM program. In the context of field vegetables crop, a set of 16 fungicides, 17 herbicides and 14 insecticides commonly used in Belgium were tested on 5 indicator species: the parasitic hymenoptera Aphidius rhopalosiphi (De Stefani-Perez) (Hym., Aphidiidae), the aphid foliage dwelling predators Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Col., Coccinellidae) and Episyrphus balteatus (Dipt., Syrphidae) and the ground-dwelling predators Aleochara bilineata (Col., Staphyllinidae) and Bembidion lampros (Col., Carabidae). Pesticides were tested according a testing scheme including a first assessment on inert substrate (glass plates for adults of A. rhopalosiphi, larvae of A. bipunctata and E. balteatus, sand on adults of A. bilineata and B. lampros) and, for product that were toxic, a second assessment on natural substrate (barley seedlings for A. rhopalosiphi, french bean plants for A. bipunctato and E. balteatus and two type of soil for 8. lampros and A. bilineato). The effects of the product were assessed on basis on mortality, except for A. bilineata (Onion fly pupae parasitism). According to the final results obtained at the end of this testing scheme, the product were listed in toxicity class: green list if effect < or =30%, yellow list 30% < effect < 60% and orange list 60% < effect < or =80%. Products with toxicity higher than 80% on plants or on soils, or that reduce parasitism more than 80% on soil were put in red list and are not recommended for IPM. Results showed that all fungicides and herbicides were included in the green list except tebuconazole and boscalid + pyraclostrobin that were labeled as yellow for A. bipunctata. In opposite, no foliar insecticide was totally selective for all beneficial tested. However some products are in green list for one or several species. Soil insecticides were all are very toxic for ground dwelling arthropods and classed in red list. All results obtained during this study and further upgrade will be available on www.cra.wallonie.be/selectivite. In conclusions, fungicides and herbicides tested are compatible with IPM programs. For foliar insecticides, some treatments can be used carefully according to the selectivity. But for soil insecticide treatments, their toxicity raise the question of their use in IPM programs in vegetables and the need of new compounds or development of alternative pest control programs.     

Drawing-up of pesticide selectivity lists to beneficial arthropods for IPM programmes in potato

In order to promote IPM programmes in potato, the toxicity of 19 fungicides, 4 herbicides and 11 insecticides commonly used in this crop in Belgium was assessed on three beneficial arthropods. These species were representative of the most important aphid specific natural enemies encountered in potatoes: a parasitic wasp--Aphidius rhopalosiphi (De Stefani-Perez) (Hym., Aphidiidae), a ladybird--Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Col., Coccinellidae) and a hoverfly--Episyrphus balteatus (Dipt., Syrphidae). In a first time, pesticides were tested on glass plates on A. rhopalosiphi adults and A. bipunctata and E. balteatus larvae. For each insect, products inducing corrected mortality (Mc) lower than 30% were directly classified in a positive list for harmless products (green list). The other compounds were further tested on plants and listed in toxicity classes according to mortalities induced during this extended laboratory test: harmless (Mc < 30%), slightly harmful (30% < Mc < 60%), moderately harmful (60% < Mc < 80%) and harmful (Mc > 80). A chemical determination of pesticides residues was also performed for each experiment in order to determine the exposure of beneficial arthropods to pesticide residues and to validate the application of chemicals on tested substrates. On the basis of the results of acute toxicity tests, the period of each pesticide use according to normal agricultural practices and the abundance and importance of the three different groups of aphid natural enemies at different periods of the year, four pesticides lists were built up. Each list corresponded to a different period of pesticides application: Period I--from seedling to beginning of June (based on A. rhopalosiphi tests), Period II--beginning to end of June (based on A. rhopalosiphi tests), Period III beginning to end of July (based on E. balteatus and A. bipunctata tests) and Period IV--August to harvest (no exposure of beneficials). Results showed that herbicides were not toxic to the three species and can be used according to normal agricultural practices without restrictions. All fungicides can also be used without restrictions at recommended rates. Only the mixture Metalaxyl-M + Fluazinam was slightly harmful to A. bipunctata but had no effects on A. rhopalosiphi and E. balteatus. Results were more contrasted for insecticides and none of them was totally selective for all the 3 beneficial arthropods. Therefore, they can only be used with restrictions at periods II and III, according to the beneficial species that need to be protected.     

Toxicity of some insecticides and acaricides to the predatory bugDicyphus tamaninii (Het.: Miridae)

Several pesticides were tested in the laboratory for their side-effects upon the mirid bugDicyphus tamaninii, a polyphagous predator used for IPM programmes in some vegetable crops. Residual toxicity to 3rd -4th instar nymphs on tomato leaflets was checked 24, 48 hours and seven days after treatment. The acaricides bromopropylate, dicofol+tetradifon and fenpyroximate were harmless to the nymphs. The insect growth regulators azadirachtin, buprofezin, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen were also harmless to nymphs and teflubenzuron was slightly harmful seven days after treatment. Among the conventional insecticides tested, only pirimicarb and tau-fluvalinate were harmless toD. tamaninii nymphs     

Influence of organic matter on bio-availability of carbosulfan and its toxicity on a carabid beetle

Study of factors influencing soil insecticide toxicity are needed to reduce negative impacts of these products on beneficial insects. To date, if high toxicity differences between different type of soils have been reported, there is few specific studies on soil parameters influence on selectivity of soil insecticides to beneficial arthropods. To assess the specific impact of organic matter, the relationship between bio-availability of a soil insecticide, carbosulfan [Sheriff 1 Gr], and its toxicity on a small Carabidae, Bembidion lampros (Herbst.) on a sand enriched with increasing quantities of organic matter was studied. In laboratory, adults of B. lampros were put on different substrate, made of sand or sand with addition of organic matter at 3, 6 and 9% w/w, and treated with carbosulfan applied as granule at the rate of 312.5, 625, 1250 and 6250 microg a.i./m corresponding respectively to 0.5, 1, 2 and 10% of the recommended field rate. Mortalities of B. lampros were assessed after 14 day of exposure. In parallel, the total carbosulfan residue (total extraction) and bioavailable fraction (CaCL2 aqueous extraction) were determined 48h after substrate treatments. According to the mortalities and bio-availability obtained, a dose--response relationship was calculated and compared with a reference relation dose--response obtained on sand, where the bio-availability of the product was considered as 100% of the amount of product applied. Carbosulfan was highly toxic on sand for B. lampros, with 100, 57 and 50% mortality at 10, 2 and 1% of the recommended field rate. When organic matter was added to the sand, the toxicity gradually decreased. This reduction in toxicity was more rapidly observed on sand + organic matter than on pure sand. The mortalities were strongly correlated with the bioavailability, indicating first that the organic matter is fixing an important part of the insecticide and secondly reduce its toxicity to beneficial arthropods. The results suggest that it could be possible, with further research, to predict toxicity of products in the field on different kind of soil according previous laboratory toxicity models and soil analysis. In conclusion, the organic matter influences strongly bio-availability of carbosulfan. This bioavailability was strongly correlated to toxicity to B. lampros. With the improvement of bioavailability determination and method validation, the assessment of pesticide bio-availability in the substrate could help to estimate the pesticide toxicity towards carabidae on different type of soils.     

The side-effects of plant protection products used in olive cultivation on the hymenopterous egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal

Abstract:  Six insecticides (Malathion, Quik, Cidial, Dimethoate, Actellic, Deltamethrin) and two mineral oils (Super misrona and Kemesol) are currently used to control the most important pests in Mediterranean olive cultivation (olive fly, olive moth and black scale). Potential side-effects of these compounds were tested on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, following recommendations of the working group 'Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms' of the International Organization for Biological Control, West Palaearctic Regional Section (IOBC/WPRS). In the present study, three different types of test methods were carried out: (1) initial toxicity dose–response test on adult wasps; (2) initial toxicity test on pupae, using field recommended rates; and (3) persistent test on olive foliage to assess the duration of harmful activity. The six insecticides tested reduced parasitism by 80–95% and rated as moderately harmful at the field recommended doses. The two mineral oils reduced parasitism up to 25% and were therefore rated as harmless to the adult stage of the parasitoid. The results of the pupal test (parasitoid pupa inside the host egg) showed that Malathion was harmless; Quik, Actellic and Cidial were slightly harmful, while Dimethoate and Deltamethrin were moderately harmful. The results of the persistence test on olive foliage showed that Malathion, Quik and Actellic were slightly persistent, while Cidial, Dimethoate and Deltamethrin were moderately persistent.     

The potential of three native insect predators to control the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea

The potential of three aphidophagous predators, Adalia bipunctata, Aphidoletes aphidimyza, and Episyrphus balteatus to control the rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea Pass., a major pest on apple in Europe, was assessed by means of laboratory and field cage experiments in Northern Switzerland. Under laboratory conditions, all three predators efficiently preyed upon D. plantaginea on apple seedlings. The searching success of larvae of A. bipunctata for individual aphids was not dependent on the size of branches of apple trees varying in leaf surface area from 150 cm² to 960 cm². Fifty and 70% of individual aphids were found and killed 6 hours and 48 hours, respectively, after release of single second instar larva of A. bipunctata. In a first field cage experiment in 1996, A. bipunctata, and to a lesser extent E. balteatus, proved to be effective and consistent predators of D. plantaginea during spring conditions, being little affected by cool temperatures and wet weather. In a subsequent field cage experiment in 1997, larvae of A. bipunctata and E. balteatus were released singly and in combination on aphid infested apple seedlings to study interactions between these two promising control agents. Both species had a significant negative effect on aphid population increase. The two species did not significantly interact and thus, their joint effect is best explained by an additive model. Combined releases of the two predator species reduced aphid densities to 5% of the control. This indicates the potential for augmentative releases of these native aphid predators to control D. plantaginea.     

Side effects of insecticides on aphidius rhopalosiphi (Hym.: Aphidiidae) In laboratory

The toxicity of bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, λ-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fluvalinate, phosalon and pirimicarb have been assessed in laboratory on the parasitic hymenoptera Aphidius rhopalosiphi. A strong toxic effect was found with every tested product when adult parasitoids were exposed to freshly applied residues on both glass plates and maize leaves for 24 hours. Only two products, fluvalinate and esfenvalerate, did not kill all the insects. No differences were observed between mortalities on glass plates and leaves. Applied on aphids mummies, cyfluthrin and deltamethrin slightly reduced the emergence of young parasitoids, but not their reproductive performance. The other tested products had no effects on adult emergence. On basis of these results, the insecticides are of comparable toxicity to A. rhopalosiphi in laboratory.     

Toxicity of Pesticide Tank Mixtures from Rice Crops Against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus podisi</Emphasis> Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

The use of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides commonly occurs in mixtures in tanks in order to control phytosanitary problems in crops. However, there is no information regarding the effects of these mixtures on non-target organisms associated to the rice agroecosystem. The aim of this study was to know the toxicity of pesticide tank mixtures from rice crops against Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). Based on the methods adapted from the International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC), adults of T. podisi were exposed to residues of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, individually or in mixture commonly used by growers, in laboratory and on rice plants in a greenhouse. The mixture between fungicides tebuconazole, triclyclazole, and azoxystrobin and the mixture between herbicides cyhalofop-butyl, imazethapyr, imazapyr/imazapic, and penoxsulam are harmless to T. podisi and can be used in irrigated rice crops without harming the natural biological control. The insecticides cypermethin, thiamethoxam, and bifenthrin/carbosulfan increase the toxicity of the mixtures in tank with herbicides and fungicides, being more toxic to T. podisi and less preferred for use in phytosanitary treatments in the rice crop protection.     

Results of the fifth joint pesticide testing programme carried out by the IOBC/WPRS-Working Group “Pesticides and beneficial organisms”

Laboratory, semi field and field tests to assess the side effects of 20 pesticides on 19 different beneficial organisms were carried out by members of the Working Group “Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms” of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palearctic Regional Section (WPRS). This 5^th joint pesticide testing programme of the working group was carried out by 21 participants in 11 European countries. The pesticides (7 insecticides, 8 fungicides and 5 herbicides), that were chosen for their possible selectivity, were tested according to internationally approved principles. Among the 20 preparations tested, the insecticides Apollo SOSC, Cesar S.L., the fungicides Baycor, Delan flüssig, Vitigran, Impact, Rovral PM, and the herbicides Luxan 2,4-D amine, Ally and Dirigol-N were harmless to nearly all the beneficial organisms tested and are recommended for use in integrated control programmes. The further testing of the remaining 10 preparations is recommended. The activities of the working group to complete the development of urgently needed sequential procedure to test the side effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms based on standard laboratory, semi field and field methods and the need for more international cooperation are discussed.      

两种寄生蜂对几种农药的敏感性测定

就平腹小蜂、荔枝蒂蛀蛾白茧蜂对几种常用农药的敏感性进行了测定.结果表明：生物性农药的印楝素、定虫隆、灭幼脲对2种寄生蜂均较安全;Bt对平腹小蜂的毒性较小;杀虫双对平腹小蜂的影响较小,但对蒂蛀蛾白茧蜂有较高毒性（2 h内死亡率70%）;拟除虫菊酯类农药对平腹小蜂有一定的毒性,而对蒂蛀蛾白茧蜂有很高的毒性（2 h内死亡率均为100%）;2种寄生蜂均对有机磷杀虫剂如敌百虫、辛硫磷、敌敌畏及氧乐果等极度敏感.表明蒂蛀蛾白茧蜂比平腹小蜂对化学杀虫剂更敏感.因此在综合防治中,尤其是当田间释放平腹小蜂时应合理选择使用杀虫剂,应以生物源性农药为首选,避免使用菊酯类农药,尤其要禁止使用有机磷类农药,以减少对平腹小蜂等寄生性天敌的杀伤.     

不同类型杀虫剂对烟粉虱捕食性天敌日本刀角瓢虫的毒力

采用试管药膜法,测定了不同类型杀虫剂对日本刀角瓢虫Serangium japonicum Chapin的毒力。结果表明,灭多威和敌敌畏对日本刀角瓢虫具有极强的毒力,其25%推荐剂量即可导致日本刀角瓢虫全部死亡;氯虫苯甲酰胺、吡虫啉和噻虫嗪对日本刀角瓢虫也具有很强的毒力,其田间推荐剂量可导致日本刀角瓢虫全部死亡,其50%推荐剂量对日本刀角瓢虫的致死率也高达73.33%～100.00%;乐果、烯啶虫胺、丁醚脲田间推荐剂量对日本刀角瓢虫的致死率分别为40.00%、56.67%、50.00%,预示着上述这些杀虫剂的田间应用对刀角瓢虫具有很高的直接杀伤风险。高效氯氰菊酯、联苯菊酯、毒死蜱、甲氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、虫螨腈、阿维菌素、吡蚜酮、噻嗪酮、定虫隆和氟虫脲对日本刀角瓢虫的毒力较低甚至没有直接致死作用。研究结果将为合理使用杀虫剂,协调利用化学防治与生物防治对烟粉虱进行综合防治提供依据。     

Results of a joint pesticide test programme by the Working Group: Pesticides and Beneficial Arthropods

The side effect of 20 commercial pesticides (10 insecticides/acaricides, 6 fungicides, 4 herbicides) on 6 different beneficial arthropods was tested by members of the IOBC/WPRS Working Group “Pesticides and Beneficial Arthropods” in 3 countries. The tests were done according to standardized methods based on common rules, which, among others, emphasize the reduction of the beneficial capacity as the relevant parameter for evaluation. The beneficials tested were:Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal,Pales pavida Meig.,Phygadeuon trichops Thomson,Leptomastix dactylopii (How.),Coccygomimus turionellae (L.) andChrysopa carnea Steph. The insecticidal biopreparation Dipel, the acaricide Torque, the fungicides Nimrod, Cercobin-M, Ortho Difolatan, the herbicides Betanal and Illoxan were harmless to slightly harmful to all the natural enemies tested. These chemicals should be examined further for their possible recommendation for integrated control. Other pesticides gave less favourable results. It is hoped that the results would help other WPRS Working Groups and plant protection advisers in the development of rational control programmes.     

Pesticide selectivity for the insect egg parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus remus</Emphasis>

We evaluated the side-effects of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides on adults of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Nixon) under laboratory conditions. The protocol was adapted from that proposed by the Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms Working Group of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) for Trichogramma cacoeciae (Marchal). Chlorpyrifos, acephate, beta-cyfluthrin + imidacloprid, spinosad, and pyrethroids were harmful to the parasitoid, whereas methoxyfenozide, diflubenzuron, and flufenoxuron had no effect. Of the herbicides examined, only glyphosate + imazethapyr and 2,4-D amine were classified as harmless on the first and second days of parasitism; paraquat was the most harmful. Other herbicides were harmless on the first day of parasitism, but caused various levels of reduction of T. remus parasitism on the second day. The fungicides were harmless or only slightly harmful.     

人工释放赤眼蜂对棉铃虫的防治作用及相关生态效应

1998～2000年在河北省南皮县棉区转Bt基因棉田及常规棉田中设置4种不同的组合处理,通过释放螟黄赤眼蜂控制棉铃虫的方法,减少化学农药的使用,达到提升和增强自然生物控制力的生态效应;并以不采取任何防治措施的常规棉田为常规棉对照田。研究表明：（1）转基因棉和常规棉棉田中自然寄生率随棉铃虫世代的增加而逐渐升高,2、3和4代棉铃虫卵被寄生率范围分别为13.3%～14.3%、26.7%～28.2%和60.8%～61.4%。（2）棉铃虫2代期,在常规棉综防田释放赤眼蜂2次,其寄生率为46.4%, 比未释放赤眼蜂的转基因棉棉田和常规棉对照田提高33.1%和32.1%; 3代期,转基因棉棉田释放赤眼蜂1次,其寄生率与常规棉综防田释放4次的效果相当,分别为73.7%和68.1%;但与转基因棉不放蜂田、常规棉化防田及对照田相比,分别提高45.5%、61. 8%和47.0%;4代期,无论放蜂与否,各处理棉田中的寄生率除化防田外（52.1%）均在60%以上。（3）常规棉化防田棉铃虫2代和3代期,分别使用农药2和3次,其自然寄生率分别为5.5%和11.9%,与对照田相比,分别降低8.8%和14.8%;与常规棉综防田相比,分别降低40.9%和56.2%;释放赤眼蜂的效果与施药时间有关,放蜂后1天内施药,寄生率仅为12.5%,施药后2天放蜂,寄生率达45.6%。（4）转基因棉棉田棉铃虫累计数和百株蕾铃被害数比常规棉综防田分别减少74.8%和73.8%,捕食性天敌增加63.0%;放蜂Bt棉田比不放蜂Bt棉田棉铃虫累计数、百株蕾铃被害数分别减少61.8%和33.3%;常规棉综防田棉铃虫累计数、百株蕾铃被害数、农药使用量比化防棉田分别减少29.7%、43.4%和60.0%,捕食性天敌数量增加63.0%。（5）转基因棉田和综防棉田的益害比（捕食性天敌/植食性害虫）分别为0.47∶1和0.30∶1, 而化防棉田为0.24∶1。上述结果表明释放赤眼蜂可弥补抗虫棉后期抗性减弱的不足,增加田间自然天敌的数量,提高对棉田害虫的自然控害功能。     

Susceptibility of the woolly apple aphid parasitoid,Aphelinus mali (Hym.: Aphelinidae), to common pesticides used in apple orchards in Israel

The effects of one acaricide (cyhexatin), two fungicides (penconazole and sulfur), and six insecticides (azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, pirimicarb, triazamate and vamidothion) on the adult stage of the parasitoidAphelinus mali (Haldeman), a parasite of the woolly apple aphidEriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), were investigated under laboratory conditions. Chlorpyrifos (an organophosphorus insecticide-OP) was found to be highly toxic to the adult wasps. Vamidothion (OP) was more toxic to the parasitoid than azinphos-methyl (OP). On the other hand, both chlorpyrifos and azinphos-methyl were found to be harmless to the immature stages of the parasitoid in a test conducted under semi-field conditions. Of the other insecticides, imidacloprid was more toxic to the adult parasitoid than pirimicarb and triazamate. Neither cyhexatin nor penconazole had a considerable toxic effect upon the parasitoid. In contrast, sulfur was found to be moderately toxic to the parasitoid under laboratory conditions, as well as in a field survey in which we followed populations ofE. lanigerum andA. mali parasitization in sulfur-treated plots, and in a plot treated withAmpelomyces quisqualis Ces., a fungus antagonist to powdery mildew. The implications of these results to IPM programs of apple orchards in Israel are discussed     

Residual toxicity of some insecticides on the predatory bugs Dicyphus tamaninii and Macrolophus caliginosus

Chlorpyrifos, formetanate, methamidophos, imidacloprid and endosulfan were tested in the laboratory for their effects upon the mirid bugs Dicyphus tamaninii and Macrolophus caliginosus, which are polyphagous predators used for IPM programs in some vegetable crops. The mortality of third-fourth instar nymphs was checked 24 and 48 hours and 7 days after exposure to 1-, 3-, 8-, 21- and 30-day residues of the treatments on tomato leaflets. The reproductive capacity of surviving females also was evaluated for 15 days and compared with females that had not been exposed to insecticides. Chlorpyrifos, formetanate and methamidophos are considered persistent because they remained toxic to both mirid species for 30 days. Imidacloprid is moderately persistent, becoming harmless by 21 days after treatment for M. caliginosus and by 30 days after treatment for D. tamaninii. Endosulfan is moderately persistent for M. caliginosus, becoming harmless by 21 days after treatment, and is short lived for D. tamaninii, becoming harmless by 3 days after treatment. There were no effects on the reproductive capacity of females that were exposed as nymphs to the insecticides tested. Of all the insecticides, only endosulfan is marginally compatible with the use of D. tamaninii.     

Results of the seventh joint pesticide testing programme carried out by the IOBC/WPRS-Working Group ‘Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms’

The side effect of 10 insecticides, 5 fungicides and 5 herbicides on 24 different species of beneficial organisms was tested by members of the Working Group Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS). The tests were conducted by 32 members in 12 countries according to internationally approved guidelines.The microbial insecticides Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Delfin), B. thuringiensis var. tenebrionis (Novodor) and Verticillium lecanii (Micro Germin), the fungicides cyproconazol (Alto), difenoconazol (Score), lecithin (Bioblatt Mehltau) and penconazol (Omnex), and the herbicides ethofumesat (Tramat), fluroxypyr (Starane), haloxyfop (Gallant), isoproturon (Arelon) and metamitron (Goltix) were harmless to nearly all the beneficial arthropods. The benzoylurea's teflubenzuron (Nomolt) and flufenoxuron (Cascade) affected predators such as anthocorids, earwigs, coccinellids and lacewings. The remaining preparations were more toxic and should therefore be further tested in semi-field and field experiments on relevant organisms. Most tested fungicides were toxic for the entomopathogenic fungi.     

Results of the sixth joint pesticide testing programme of the IOBC/WPRS-working group «pesticides and beneficial organisms»

The side effects of 5 insecticides, 8 fungicides and 6 herbicides on 24 species of beneficial organisms were tested by members of the Working Group «Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms» of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS). The tests were conducted by 24 members in 11 countries according to internationally approved guidelines. The insecticide buprofezin (Applaud), the fungicides triforine (Saprol), procymidone (Sumisclex), anilazine (Dyrene), triadimenol (Bayfidan), hexaconazole (Anvil), tridemorph (Calixin) and the herbicides tralkoxydim (Grasp), bentazone (Basagran) were harmless to nearly all the beneficial organisms. Diflubenzuron (Dimilin) affected spiders and the larvae of predatory insects. The remaining 10 preparations were more toxic and should therefore be further tested in semi-field and field experiment on relevant organisms.     

Effects of contact, oral and persistent toxicity of selected pesticides on Cotesia plutellae (Hym., Braconidae), a potential parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (Lep., Plutellidae)

Cotesia plutellae (Kurd.) is an important larval parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L.). Effects of contact, oral and persistent toxicity of field doses of selected pesticides on immature and mature stages of this useful wasp were determined in controlled conditions. Contact toxicity tests showed that cartap 75% SG, chlorfenapyr 10% F, emamectin benzoate 1% EC, permethrin 20% EC, chlorfluazuron 5% EC, flufenoxuron 10% EC, and teflubenzuron 5% EC were found to be selective against the cocoon stage. In contrast, contact toxicity of four insecticides viz., cartap 75% SG, chlorfenapyr 10% F, emamectin benzoate 1% EC, permethrin 20% EC were found to be moderately to extremely toxic (80% to 100% lethal) to wasp stage. Effects of oral toxicity of three IGRs on wasp stage were somewhat selective. However, beneficial performance of wasps seems to be adversely affected as host parasitism was recorded as being significantly different ( P  < 0.05) in comparison with control. A persistent toxic effect of insecticides via cabbage leaves discs against female wasps showed that cartap 75% SG was moderately persistent (16–30 days). While chlorfenapyr 10% F and emamectin benzoate 1% EC were recorded slightly to be persistent (5–10 days) and permethrin seems to be short lived (< 5 days). Implications of tested products in IPM of cabbage are discussed.     

Susceptibility of Various Stages of Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja to Some Pesticides and Effect of Residues on Survival and Parasitizing Ability

The toxicity, persistence and effect on parasitism of 10 insecticides, eight fungicides and one acaricide on Trichogrammatoidea armigera Nagaraja, an egg parasitoid of a Helicoverpa armigera (Hb), were investigated in the laboratory and under field conditions. At field recommended dosages, the fungicides oxycarboxin, copperoxychloride, streptomycin sulphate + tetracycline hydrochloride and 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol and the acaricide dicofol were safe, while the insecticide phosalone and fungicide tridemorph were moderately toxic to adults. All other insecticides tested, namely dimethoate, fenitrothion, monocrotophos, phosphamidon, endosulfan, cypermethrin, decamethrin, fenvalerate and fluvalinate, and the fungicides carbendazim, methyl thiophenate and carboxin were toxic to adults. A high level of parasitism was recorded for all fungicide treatments and for dicofol and fluvalinate. The larval stage of the parasitoid was more tolerant than other stages. The residual toxicity of all fungicides, and dicofol, did not affect the ability of the parasitoid to parasitize its host, while the insecticides phosalone and fluvalinate were slightly persistent, favouring 44.7% and 49.3% parasitism after 15 days. Residues of dimethoate, decamethrin, cypermethrin, fenvalerate, monocrotophos and phosphanidon were moderately persistent, while fenitrothion and endosulfan were persistent.