Biological activity of neem seed kernel extracts and synthetic azadirachtin against larvae of Plutella xylostella L

The activity of two neem extracts, AZT and NEEM-AZAL (containing 30 and 3 mg azadirachtin ml^?1 respectively) and synthetic azadirachtin (AZ) against second-instar larvae (L2) of Plutella xylostella L. was examined using leafdip bioassays. On Chinese cabbage, AZ was significantly (P <0.05) less toxic (3 to 4-fold; LC₅₀ 0.54 μg AZ ml^?1) than either neem extract against a laboratory strain of P. xylostella (FS). The LC₅₀ values for AZT against the FS and another laboratory strain (Wellcome) were not significantly different on Chinese cabbage. The activity of AZT against the FS and Wellcome strains was similar on Chinese cabbage and Brussels sprout. AZT was significantly less toxic (3-fold) on Brussels sprout against an acylurea-resistant field strain (Sawi) when compared with the FS strain on Chinese cabbage. Larval mortality (at day 13) was found to increase with increasing exposure time of P. xylostella (FS) larvae to AZT-treated Chinese cabbage, although there was little difference in mortality between 48 and 120 h exposure. When AZT, NEEM-AZAL and AZ were applied at a dose (1 μg AZ ml^?1) which gave end-point mortalities between 50 and 90% (at day 13), all treatments delayed the development of a proportion of surviving larvae but no morphogenetic abnormalities were observed in larvae which reached pupation. Evidence for antifeedant (reduced weight gain) and repellant effects (choicechamber) for AZT were observed with L2 P. xylostella (Wellcome) on Chinese cabbage. AZT was also shown to have ovicidal activity against P. xylostella (Wellcome) at relatively high dose ranges (10-1000 μg AZ ml^?1) as well as some contact activity (FS strain) in topical bioassays. In residual bioassays on glass with adults of the hymenopteran endo-larval parasitoid of P. xylostella, Diadegma semiclausum (Ichneumonidae), AZT showed little or no activity at rates up to 1000 μg AZ ml^?1. In medium-volume (MV, 200 litre ha^?1) and ultra-low-volume (c. 1 litre ha^?1) spray bioassays on Brussels sprout, AZT gave 16-92% and 88-100% mortality respectively (Wellcome strain) at rates approximating to 1-20 g AZ ha^?1. The residual activity of AZT and NEEM-AZAL against P. xylostella (FS) on Brussels sprout (MV spray) was observed to decrease appreciably after three days, the decline in activity being particularly marked for NEEM-AZAL.     

Nicotinoid and pyrethroid insecticide resistance in houseflies (Diptera: Muscidae) collected from Florida dairies

BACKGROUND: The housefly, Musca domestica L., continues to be a major pest of confined livestock operations. Houseflies have developed resistance to most chemical classes, and new chemistries for use in animal agriculture are increasingly slow to emerge. Five adult housefly strains from four Florida dairy farms were evaluated for resistance to four insecticides (beta‐cyfluthrin, permethrin, imidacloprid and nithiazine). RESULTS: Significant levels of tolerance were found in most field strains to all insecticides, and in some cases substantial resistance was apparent (as deduced from comparison with prior published results). At the LC₉₀ level, greater than 20‐fold resistance was found in two of the fly strains for permethrin and one fly strain for imidacloprid. Beta‐cyfluthrin LC₉₀ resistance ratios exceeded tenfold resistance in three fly strains. The relatively underutilized insecticide nithiazine had the lowest resistance ratios; however, fourfold LC₉₀ resistance was observed in one southern Florida fly strain. Farm insecticide use and its impact on resistance selection in Florida housefly populations are discussed. CONCLUSION: Housefly resistance to pyrethroids is widespread in Florida. Imidacloprid resistance is emerging, and tolerance was observed to both imidacloprid and nithiazine. If these insecticides are to retain efficacy, producer use must be restrained. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Azinphos-methyl and carbaryl resistance in adults of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.), Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) from Northeastern Spain

The resistance of Cydia pomonella (L.) to organophosphates is widespread throughout the pome fruit growing areas. The lethal effects of two insecticides inhibitors of the acetylcholine esterase, azinphos-methyl and carbaryl, were evaluated in adults of five and four field populations of the codling moth, respectively. The lethal concentrations (LC₅₀ and LC₉₀) of these insecticides were determined in a susceptible strain from Spain (S_Spain). Topical bioassays using the approximate LC₉₀ values (3000 mg (a.i.)/L of carbaryl and 2000 mg (a.i.)/L of azinphos-methyl) that were obtained in S_Spain were tested as diagnostic concentrations. The enzymatic activities of mixed-function oxidases (MFO), glutathione S-transferases (GST) and esterases (EST) were measured to investigate their potential role in the detoxification of these insecticides.Carbaryl and azinphos-methyl caused ?53% and ?39% corrected mortality, respectively, in field populations, although the diagnostic concentrations applied were twofold and fourfold higher than the maximum concentration registered in Spain, respectively. The activities of MFO and GST were 7.3- to 16.1-fold higher and 2.5- to 3.7-fold higher in all the field populations compared to those in S_Spain, respectively.     

Association between insecticide use and greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum westwood) resistance to insecticides in hawaii

Susceptibility to acephate, methomyl, and permethrin was determined with laboratory bioassays for adults of greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, from 12 to 14 sites in Hawaii. Comparisons at LC₅₀ showed up to 42-fold resistance to acephate, 36-fold resistance to methomyl, and 8-fold resistance to permethrin. Higher levels of resistance to acephate and methomyl than to permethrin are consistent with greater use of organophosphates and carbamates than pyrethroids by growers. Insecticide use varied from 1 to 98 insecticide sprays per site per season. Significant positive associations between LC₅₀ for each insecticide and frequency of application of the same insecticide were found across sites. This finding suggests that local variation in insecticide use was an important cause of variation in susceptibility.     

Insecticide resistance management of permethrin and acephate against the cowpea curculio,Chalcodermus aeneus Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest of the southern pea,Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

To evaluate strategies for management of potential resistance of the cowpea curculio, Chalcodermus aeneus Boheman, to sprayer‐applied permethrin and acephate, five management regimes were evaluated on early, midseason and late sequential plantings of southern peas, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. during 1991–1993. Management regimes were: (1) consecutive permethrin (0.11 kg a.i./ha early‐midseason‐late); (2) consecutive acephate (1.1 kg a.i.ha early‐midseason‐late); (3) consecutive mixture (0.055kg a.i./ha permethrin and 0.55kg a.i./ha acephate early‐midseason‐late); (4) alternation (0.11 kg a.i./ha permethrin early and 1.1 kg a.i./ha acephate midseason and late plantings); and (5) an untreated check early, midseason and late. The effect of management regime on the toxicities (LC₅₀) of permethrin and acephate was determined by topical application to next generation adult cowpea curculios reared from infested southern pea pods harvested from untreated plants in the management fields. In the field, infestation varied more by planting date than by management regime. Toxicity of permethrin to adults selected in the consecutive mixture regime was significantly lower in 1991 and 1992 late season and in 1993 midseason than in early season for the respective years. There was a seasonal decrease in the laboratory toxicity of acephate to adults with all management regimes.     

Insecticide resistance in house flies from caged‐layer poultry facilities

The frequency of resistance of eight strains of house flies, Musca domestica L., collected from caged‐layer poultry facilities across New York state, to nine insecticides (dimethoate, tetrachlorvinphos, permethrin, cyfluthrin, pyrethrins, methomyl, fipronil, spinosad and cyromazine) was measured relative to a laboratory susceptible strain. Percentage survival was evaluated at five diagnostic concentrations: susceptible strain LC₉₉, 3 × LC₉₉, 10 × LC₉₉, 30 × LC₉₉ and 100 × LC₉₉. The highest levels of resistance were noted for tetrachlorvinphos, permethrin and cyfluthrin. There was substantial variation in the levels of resistance to the different insecticides from one facility to another, independent of their geographical location. There was very little cross‐resistance detected in these populations to either fipronil or spinosad. Overall, there was a good correlation between insecticide use histories and the levels of resistance. The apparent isolation of fly populations within poultry facilities suggests that there are good opportunities for the implementation of successful resistance management strategies at these facilities. Differences between these results and those of a resistance survey on New York dairy farms in 1987 are discussed. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Laboratory selected resistance to diflubenzuron in larvae of aedes aegypti

The variation in tolerance to diflubenzuron [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)urea] was examined in fourth instar larvae of seven strains of Aedes aegypti, some of which were resistant to DDT and permethrin. The difference between the least and the most tolerant to diflubenzuron was approximately two-fold. There was no correlation with resistance to the other insecticides. A DDT-resistant strain (T8) was selected 10 times (during 12 generations) with diflubenzuron. The LC₅₀ to diflubenzuron had increased 3.3 times by the S₈ generation but there was no further increase in later generations despite further selection. Associated with this increase, a marked decrease in resistance to DDT was observed but no change in permethrin tolerance. A genetically enriched strain (Hotchpotch) was synthesised from 35 strains of different geographic origin and crossed to the selected T8 strain before subsequent generations were selected five times with diflubenzuron. This procedure resulted in an 8 to 12-fold increase in the LC₅₀ value over that for unselected T8, accompanied by a decrease in the slope of the log dose against probit mortality line.     

Monitoring for imidacloprid resistance in the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the eastern United States

BACKGROUND: Imidacloprid is the primary insecticide for controlling the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid (TGPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), a major pest of tobacco worldwide. This study used leaf‐dip bioassays to assess TGPA resistance to imidacloprid in the eastern United States from 2004 through 2007. RESULTS: When combined over the 4 year study, 18, 14 and 3% of the TGPA had imidacloprid resistance ratios (RRs) of 10–20‐fold, 20–30‐fold and 30–90‐fold, respectively, compared with the most susceptible colony tested. This indicates that some colonies have developed moderate levels of resistance to imidacloprid. A colony collected near Clayton, North Carolina, had the highest RR of 91 (LC₅₀ value = 31 mg L^?1). This resistance declined for six tests over a 3 year period in the laboratory culture from >130‐fold RR (LC₅₀ = 48 mg L^?1) to 40‐fold RR (LC₅₀ = 15 mg L^?1). Over the same period, the most susceptible colony and a standard colony not exposed to imidacloprid for over 7 years had consistently low LC₅₀ values. CONCLUSION: Moderate levels of resistance to imidacloprid are noticed among TGPA colonies from the eastern United States. The variation in resistance indicates that the factors responsible are present in the populations at low frequencies and are just not enough to cause field failures yet. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Assessment of insecticide resistance in eggs and neonate larvae of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Spanish Cydia pomonella (L.) field populations have developed resistance to several insecticide groups. Diagnostic concentrations were established as the LC₉₀ calculated on a susceptible strain (S_Spain) for five and seven insecticides and tested on eggs and neonate larvae field populations, respectively. The three most relevant enzymatic detoxification systems (mixed-function oxidases (MFO), glutathione S-tranferases (GST) and esterases (EST)) were studied for neonate larvae.In eggs, 96% of the field populations showed a significantly lower efficacy when compared with the susceptible strain (S_Spain) and the most effective insecticides were fenoxycarb and thiacloprid. In neonate larvae, a significant loss of susceptibility to the insecticides was detected. Flufenoxuron, azinphos-methyl and phosmet showed the lowest efficacy, while lambda-cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos-ethyl showed the highest. Biochemical assays showed that the most important enzymatic system involved in insecticide detoxification was MFO, with highest enzymatic activity ratios (5.1-16.6 for neonates from nine field populations). An enhanced GST and EST activities was detected in one field population, with enzymatic activity ratios of threefold and fivefold for GST and EST, respectively, when compared with the susceptible strain. The insecticide bioassays showed that the LC₉₀ used were effective as diagnostic concentrations. Measures of MFO activity alongside bioassays with insecticide diagnostic concentrations could be used as tools for monitoring insecticide resistance in neonate larvae of C. pomonella.     

Dicofol resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus: resistance and stability of resistance in populations from Antalya, Turkey

Resistance against dicofol was investigated in the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus. Higher resistance levels were detected by leaf residual bioassays than by topical bioassays, both done using a Potter spray tower, in almost all populations of T cinnabarinus examined from Antalya, Turkey. For instance, the resistance level at LC₉₅ was 17.5‐fold in topical bioassays but 58.9‐fold in leaf residual bioassays for the population collected from greenhouses in the Topçular district. There were differences of resistance levels at LC₉₅, ranging between 2.6‐ and 23.9‐fold using topical bioassays and between 5.0‐ and 58.9‐fold in residual bioassays, in populations collected from greenhouses from various districts. Populations from cotton showed lower resistance levels against dicofol than populations from greenhouses. Resistance to dicofol at LC₅₀ as indicated by topical and residual bioassays increased 19.7‐ and 100.7‐fold, respectively, in a colony from the laboratory strain of T cinnabarinus selected with dicofol alone for 16 cycles. However, the dicofol resistance at LC₅₀ increased 19.4‐ and 52.0‐fold in another colony selected in rotation with dicofol and tetradifon for six and eight cycles, respectively. The changes in resistance to dicofol 5 months after the selection ceased were as follows: in the colony selected for dicofol alone, using topical and residual bioassays, the resistance levels at LC₅₀ decreased to 11.7‐ and 99.1‐fold, respectively, and in the colony selected in rotation with dicofol and tetradifon to 10.8‐ and 15.8‐fold, respectively. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Resistance risk assessment of two insect development inhibitors,diflubenzuron and cyromazine,for control of the housefly Musca domestica. part i: Larvicidal tests with insecticide-resistant laboratory and danish field populations

Larvicide tests with diflubenzuron (DFB) and cyromazine (CYR) were carried out against 15 laboratory housefly strains and 89 field strains collected from 87 Danish and 2 Swedish farms, 1975–89. The strains represented a wide range of adult insecticide resistance and R-mechanisms. The larvicide tests were done by treating larval medium with serial or discriminating dosages of the larvicide, seeding it with eggs and calculating the mortality during development to adults. The WHO susceptible strain (S) was used as a reference. Dose-response tests with DFB gave resistance ratios (R/S) from 1·1 to 4·1 at LC₅₀ and 0·3 to 3·4 at LC₉₅ and, with CYR, R/S from 0·6 to 1·8 at LC₅₀ and 0·6 to 2·9 at LC₉₅. It was concluded that the relatively small variation in susceptibility between strains was not generally correlated with resistance in adult flies to organophosphorus, pyrethroid or other conventional insecticides (neurotoxins). Tests with discriminating dosages of DFB (59 farms) and CYR (63 farms) showed no indication of resistance to either product. The results of investigations by other workers on the relation between resistance to DFB or CYR and resistance to conventional insecticides are discussed.     

Comparative toxicity of two ecdysteroid agonists,RH-2485 and RH-5992, on susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant strains of the Egyptian cotton leafworm,Spodoptera littoralis

The comparative toxicity of two non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonists, RH-2485 and RH-5992 (tebufenozide), on development stages, fecundity and egg viability of a susceptible laboratory strain and a pyrethroid-resistant field strain ofSpodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) was evaluated. Taking the LC₅₀s as the criterion, RH-2485 was 3–7-fold more potent than RH-5992 against the susceptible and 7–14-fold more against the field strain. The LC₅₀ of RH-2485 in the 1st and 6th instars of the susceptible strain was 0.32 and 0.57 mg a.i./l, respectively. The field strain showed a mild cross-resistance of about threefold to both compounds in 1st instars and to a lesser extent in 6th instars. A considerable increase in fecundity (~3-fold) and no effect on egg viability was observed when 6th instars were fed on cotton leaves treated with 0.25 mg a.i./l RH-2485 (~LC₄₀). Our results indicate that both compounds are potentially potent insecticides for controllingS. littoralis larvae, being 10-60-fold more potent than a previous ecdysteroid agonist, RH-5849.     

Resistance to bifenthrin and resistance mechanisms of different strains of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) from Turkey

Nine different strains of the two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) were collected on cotton from Adana, Antalya, Izmir, Manisa and Urfa in Turkey. Their responses to bifenthrin were investigated using conventional bioassay and biochemical assays. LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of bifenthrin were determined for all strains by using a residual bioassay with a petri dish-spray tower. Resistance ratios were determined by comparing the samples with a standard susceptible strain, GSS. The resistance ratios of the strains ranged from <1 to 669-fold (at LC₅₀). Of the investigated field strains, only three (two from Adana and one from Urfa) were resistant to bifenthrin. There was a correlation between esterase enzyme activity and bifenthrin resistance according to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and microtiter plate assays in the three resistant strains. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting May 17, 2005.     

Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids as grain protectants on bulk wheat

Organophosphorothioates and synergised synthetic pyrethroids were used in duplicate field trials carried out on bulk wheat in commercial silos in Queensland and New South Wales. Laboratory bioassays using malathion-resistant strains of insects were carried out on samples of treated grain at intervals over 9 months. These established that all treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ fenvalerate (1 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1), fenitrothion (12 mg kg^?1)+ phenothrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) and pirimiphos-methyl (4 mg kg^?1)+ permethrin (1 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) controlled common field strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.). Against a highly resistant strain of S. oryzae, deltamethrin (2 mg kg^?1)+ piperonyl butoxide (8 mg kg^?1) was superior to the remaining treatments. All treatment combinations completely prevented progeny production in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), T. confusum Jacquelin du Val and in Ephestia cautella (Walker). Residues of deltamethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin and phenothrin were determined and shown to be highly persistent on stored wheat. During milling, residues accumulated in the bran fractions and were reduced in white flour. They were not significantly reduced during baking.     

Toxicity,persistence and efficacy of indoxacarb and two other insecticides on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) immatures in cabbage

Toxicities of indoxacarb on eggs and 5-day-old larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., on cabbage and those of field-aged leaf residues on 5-day-old larvae were determined in the laboratory. The persistence and efficacies of indoxacarb and two other newer insecticides (spinosad and emamectin benzoate) to P. xylostella were tested under field conditions. Results from laboratory bioassays indicate that indoxacarb was highly toxic to P. xylostella larvae through food ingestion, with LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 24.1 and 90.1 mg AI l ^{- 1}, respectively. However, indoxacarb had no significant effects on eggs and larvae through direct contact compared with water control. The toxicity of field-aged leaf residues of indoxacarb (0-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 14-, 17- and 21-day-old residues) declined slowly and gradually under the field conditions in South Texas. Almost all larvae died on day 5 after feeding on the leaves with 0 - 14-day residue, and the mortalities were as high as 94 and 78% for the 14- and 17-day-old leaf residues. With one application, indoxacarb suppressed P. xylostella larvae below the economic threshold for 14 - 21 days. Two field trials showed that indoxacarb at 0.05 - 0.07 kg AI ha ^{- 1} was effective against P. xylostella, providing marketable cabbage with three applications per season. In addition, indoxacarb was as effective as spinosad, and significantly more effective than emamectin benzoate.     

Evaluation of semiochemical toxicity to houseflies and stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

BACKGROUND: The housefly, Musca domestica L., and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) are cosmopolitan pests of both farm and home environments. Houseflies have been shown to be resistant to a variety of insecticides, and new chemistries are slow to emerge on the market. Toxicities of selected semiochemicals with molecular structures indicative of insecticidal activity were determined against adults from an insecticide‐susceptible laboratory strain of houseflies. The three most active semiochemicals were also evaluated against recently colonized housefly and stable fly strains. RESULTS: Nineteen semiochemicals classified as aliphatic alcohols, terpenoids, ketones and carboxylic esters showed toxicity to houseflies and stable flies. Rosalva (LC₅₀ = 25.98 µg cm^?2) followed by geranyl acetone and citronellol (LC₅₀ = 49.97 and 50.02 µg cm^?2) were identified as the most toxic compounds to houseflies. Permethrin was up to 144‐fold more toxic than rosalva on the susceptible strain. However, it was only 35‐fold more toxic to the insecticide‐tolerant field strain. The compounds generated high toxicity to stable flies, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 16.30 to 40.41 µg cm^?2. CONCLUSION: Quantification of LC₅₀ values of rosalva, citronellol and geranyl acetone against susceptible housefly and field‐collected housefly and stable fly strains showed that semiochemicals could serve as potent insecticides for fly control programs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

An Example of Cross-resistance to Pyrethroids in DDT-resistant Aedes aegypti

Comparisons of the susceptibility of several strains of adult Aedes aegypti were made. Mosquitoes from Bangkok and Jakarta were found to be highly resistant to DDT and resistant to pyrethroids relative to a laboratory strain. A strain from Singapore, where less DDT has been used, was susceptible to DDT and pyrethroids. Two strains from the Caribbean had LC₅₀ values to DDT 3 times that of the reference strain while the LC₅₀ values against bioresmethrin synergised with piperonyl butoxide were 1 1/2 times raised. Another two strains from central Africa were 2 times tolerant of DDT and 1 1/2 times tolerant of bioresmethrin plus piperonyl butoxide. Agents which block DDT-dehydrochlorinase, esterases and oxidases each caused small increases in the mortality of the Bangkok strain due to DDT and bioresmethrin as well as augmenting toxicity to the susceptible reference strain. It is tentatively suggested that resistance in the Bangkok strain is due to a combination of the actions of these and perhaps other resistance mechanisms.     

Permethrin as a residual insecticide against cockroaches

The pyrethroid permethrin was shown to be active against Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana and Blatta orientalis. In laboratory tests on plywood panels the best formulation was a 25% wettable powder which showed an initial LC₅₀ of 10 mg m^?2 against B. germanica and lost activity at the weekly rate of 1.9 mg m^?2. An initial deposit of 108 mg m^?2 gave 50% kill after one year. The synergist piperonyl butoxide diminished residual performance. In one field trial, good control was maintained for more than four months with an initial deposit of 50 mg m^?2, the smallest dose used. From this and other trials, the recommended rate of application for general use in long-term control is 100 mg m^?2. A distinctive slow expellent action against B. germanica was seen in field trials.     

Organophosphorus and synergised synthetic pyrethroid insecticides as grain protectants for stored sorghum

A field experiment was carried out on bulk sorghum stored for 26 weeks in concrete silos in South Queensland. No natural infestation occurred. Laboratory bioassays of treated grain, in which malathion-resistant strains of insects were added to grain samples, indicated that all the treatments were generally effective. Deltamethrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+fenvalerate (1 mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹), and fenitrothion (12mg kg⁻¹)+phenothrin (2mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) controlled typical malathion-resistant strains of Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Ephestia cautella (Walker). Pirimiphos-methyl (6mg kg⁻¹)+permethrin (1mg kg⁻¹)+piperonyl butoxide (8mg kg⁻¹) allowed some survival of adults and progeny production by S. oryzae after 12 weeks, and by one strain of R. dominica throughout. Chemical assays established that the residues and rates of breakdown of these grain protectants on sorghum conformed to the general pattern on other cereal grains. Residues at the conclusion of the experiment were below the individual Maximum Residue Limits recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

Laboratory and field evaluation of spinosad against the gypsy moth,Lymantria dispar

The toxicity of the naturally derived insecticide spinosad was tested against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Bioassays using red oak leaf disks, treated with spinosad in a Potter spray tower, yielded an LC₅₀ value of 0.0015 µg AI cm⁻² (3‐day exposure; 13‐day evaluation; 2nd instar larvae). Applied to foliage to run‐off in the laboratory (potted red oak seedlings) and the field (4 m‐tall birch trees), spinosad effectively controlled 2nd instar larvae at concentrations ranging from 3 to 50 mg litre⁻¹. Toxicity in the laboratory, and efficacy and persistence in the field, were comparable to those achieved with the insecticide permethrin. Laboratory studies supported field observations that control was achieved in part by knockdown due to paralysis. In addition, laboratory results demonstrated that crawling contact activity may play an important role in field efficacy; 50% of treated larvae were paralyzed 16 h after a 2‐min crawling exposure to glass coated with a 4 mg litre⁻¹ spinosad solution. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry