The effectiveness of pyrethroid seed treatments against soil pests of cereals

Results are summarised of tests of seed dressings with synthetic pyrethroids against wheat bulb fly (Delia coarctata) and wireworms (Agriotes spp.).     

Leptohylemyia coarctata (Fall.) - Integrated Control and the Use of Economic Thresholds1

Yields of crops attacked by wheat bulb fly can be predicted, but this cannot be done until much damage has occurred. In this situation the concept of economic thresholds is of limited use. It is much more important to be able to predict the likelihood of infestations as this enables the correct use to be made of prophylactic seed dressings. This and other approaches to integrated control are discussed.     

Retention and distribution of dry powder and liquid formulations of insecticides and fungicides on commercially dressed cereal seed

Analysis of samples of seeds, mostly wheat, treated commercially with insecticides and fungicides showed that many carried much less than the theoretical dose, some less than one-tenth. The average loadings of seeds treated with dry powder formulations were nearly always small, but the distribution of insecticide between seeds was fairly uniform. The average loading of seeds treated with liquid formulations was closer to the target, but the distribution was irregular, most of the seeds carrying little insecticide and a few seeds amounts large enough to be phytotoxic. Insecticides applied as dry powders do not adhere strongly to the seeds, but they remain in association with seeds contained and carried in bags. Applied as liquids, insecticides are difficult to remove from seeds. The ratio of insecticide to fungicide on seeds dressed with powders containing both usually resembled the ratio in the original powder. With liquid seed dressings of insecticide and fungicide applied separately in different formulations, the ratio of insecticide to fungicide often differed widely from the theoretical. The average loading of fungicide was close to the target, but the average amount of insecticide was often much less. With either wet or dry dressings, the amount of pesticide on seeds was consistently greater from some merchants than from others. This was independent of the machinery used. Loadings were not consistently affected by type of seed-dressing machinery or formulation, stage of operation, weather or variety of seed.     

The Effects of Cultural Measures on Cereal Pests and Their Role in Integrated Pest Management

The influences of cultural control measures on invertebrate pests and their natural enemies in cereals (wheat, barley and oats) are described and discussed, with emphasis on the major pests in north-west Europe. Possibilities for additive and synergistic combinations of cultural measures are identified, together with opportunities for integrating cultural measures with chemical and biological control where appropriate. Recent studies confirm the central role of cultural control measures in integrated pest management and integrated production of cereal crops. However, cultural measures often have opposing effects on different pests as well as diseases and weeds, so that appropriate measures must be selected on the basis of an assessment of the risks from key pests, diseases and weeds. Crop rotation is not an important means of controlling cereal pests, but its use is recommended for control of cereal diseases and weeds, as well as pests of crops grown in rotation with cereals. Diversification of crops and non-crop habitats in predominantly cereal growing areas is thought to increase numbers of certain parasitoids and polyphagous predators of cereal pests. The presence of weeds or an intercrop in a field together with cereals may reduce the severity of aphid and slug damage to cereals. Trap cropping has not yet been adequately tested in wheat, barley or oats. Cover crops reduce damage by wheat bulb fly in a following wheat crop, but increase the risk of slug damage. Resistance to a wide range of cereal aphid species has been identified in wheat and barley, but in Europe, more emphasis is placed on selecting cultivars with resistance to cereal diseases rather than pest resistance. Resistance in wheat to wheat bulb fly and wheat blossom midge is recorded, and resistance to slug damage has been reported in some laboratory studies. Early sowing of winter cereals results in more damage by certain dipterous pests and increased numbers of the aphid vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), but early sowing results in less damage by wheat bulb fly and slugs in autumn/winter and by late infestations of aphids in summer. Avoidance of ploughing results in reduced incidence of wheat bulb fly, yellow cereal fly and aphids, but increased numbers of slugs, wheat blossom midge and bibionid larvae. Avoidance of ploughing can result in greater numbers of certain polyphagous predators, particularly in the first weeks following crop establishment. The presence of straw residues results in increased slug populations, but reduced incidence of yellow cereal fly and wheat blossom midge. Preparation of fine, firm seedbeds discourages attack by slugs and wheat bulb fly on cereals. Drilling at slightly greater depth in rough cloddy seedbeds helps to protect wheat seeds from slug damage. Nitrogen fertiliser applied in spring can help cereal plants compensate for losses by wheat bulb fly or slugs. However, nitrogen applications tend to result in increased summer infestations of aphids.     

Fourth Conference of West African Cocoa Entomologists,Legon, December 1974

Abstract

Hollow‐fibre, laminate‐flake and microencapsulated formulations of the synthetic sex pheromone (Z,Z) and (Z,E)‐7–11‐hexadecadienyl acetate of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) were applied aerially in large scale trials in the Delta region of Egypt in 1985. 100 ha blocks of cotton were treated at regular intervals throughout the season as the only means of controlling the pest and compared with a 100 ha block of cotton sited in the same locality which was treated aerially with conventional insecticide spray applications. Comparisons of numbers of infested bolls, open boll counts and yields of seed cotton showed that adequate levels of control were achieved with all three pheromone formulations which were at least as effective as the insecticide sprays. The costs of the pheromone formulations and their aerial application also compared favourably with the insecticide programme. Greater numbers of beneficial insects were recorded in the pheromone‐treated areas than in the insecticide treated area.     

Addition of alarm pheromone to insecticides and the possible improvement of the control of the western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

This study represents the first attempt to improve insecticide contact using the dodecyl acetate component of the alarm pheromone of the western flower thrips ( Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande ). Dodecyl acetate dissolved in ethanol was added to both fipronil and maldison and used in three spray applications (7 days apart) against field infestations of F. occidentalis on strawberries in two separate trials. Fipronil alone was highly effective against larvae and to a lesser extent against adults; however, the addition of dodecyl acetate did not significantly enhance thrips mortality. Although maldison was significantly less effective against adults and larvae, the larval mortality rate was significantly increased with the addition of dodecyl acetate. In one trial, dodecyl acetate applied on its own caused a significant reduction in larval numbers. Frequent insecticide applications are recommended for control of F. occidentalis in Australia because of the short-term effectiveness of most insecticides. This may hasten the development of insecticide resistance, which is already evident in F. occidentalis populations across the continent. Hence, either cultural methods, biological control agents or more effective chemicals need to be identified. This study has shown that there is potential for dodecyl acetate to enhance insecticide control of F. occidentalis .     

Feeding behaviour as a limiting step in insecticide absorption for the wireworm Agriotes sp. (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

The fipronil control of wireworms field populations (larval Agriotes sp., Coleoptera: Elateridae) is difficult because of the low integumental penetration rates of this insecticide into the target larval body. The main way of insecticide absorption being associated with food, analysis of the larval feeding behaviour is of key importance for designing a strategy of dietary chemical control of those subterranean pests. In this purpose, a standard method for assessing the long-term survival of field specimens in the laboratory was developed together with experimental designs for investigating food searching and choosing by larvae. Larval biological performances under those laboratory conditions were checked monthly. Three criteria were taken into account for measures: the duration of individual survival, the gain in average body weight, and the moulting rhythm. Experimentation revealed that seed flour was highly desired by larvae and that larval feeding choice was affected over short distances only. This suggests the involvement of dietary preference rather than attractivity in the larval feeding behaviour. This implies that, at the operational step, insecticide had better be associated to food, either as a coating on the seeds, or inside preferred baits.     

Evaluating insecticides for the control of narcissus flies under field conditions in Israel

In Israel, narcissus bulb flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) are serious pests of cultivated flower bulbs of the families Liliaceae and Amaryllidaceae. The large narcissus fly(Merodon eques) is the major pest, whereas the small narcissus fly (a new species in the genusEumerus, yet to be described) is only a secondary pest. The large narcissus fly is also considered a quarantine pest by the U.S.A. authorities. Narcissus bulbs,Narcissus tazetta (var. ‘Ziva’), were planted in an experimental field at Bizzaron during November 1995 and harvested during June 1996. Currently aldicarb (Temik) is recommended for the control of narcissus fly larvae. We compared the control efficacy of imidacloprid (Confidor) and isazofos (Miral) with that of aldicarb. These latter insecticides were applied to the soil in February, in April, or on both dates. The mean level of damaged bulbs in the untreated plots was 32%. Two applications of aldicarb, one in February and one in April, reduced the damage to the lowest level of 0.5%. A single application of aldicarb in February, and two applications of imidacloprid—one in February and one in April—reduced the damage to 5-10%. Treatments with imidacloprid in February or in April, reduced the damage to 12-13%. Neither one application of aldicarb in April, nor any of the treatments with isazofos, was effective. In all treatments, larvae of the large narcissus fly were found in only approximately one-third of the damaged bulbs. The level of infestation with the small narcissus fly in the untreated bulbs was only approximately 2%. The effects of the insecticide treatments on the small narcissus fly were similar to those recorded for the large narcissus fly .     

A three‐year field study on the short‐term effects of insecticides used to control cereal aphids on plant‐dwelling aphid predators in winter wheat

Short‐term effects of six insecticides used to control aphids were assessed in wheat on plant‐dwelling aphid predators. Products were applied to small plots of winter wheat in June or at the beginning of July and the densities of predators were estimated three days after treatment using a beating method. Insecticides were tested in 1994, 1995 and 1997 at a single dose, corresponding to their maximum recommended field rate in Belgium. Fluvalinate and esfenvalerate did not significantly reduce catches of syrphid larvae compared to the control but ladybirds were affected by these compounds. Pirimicarb was the only product tested that had no effect on ladybirds. However, syrphid larvae appeared sensitive to this product. Cyfluthrin, deltamethrin and phosalone reduced catches of both syrphids and ladybirds. Populations of lacewing larvae were unaffected by any of the insecticide treatments. Syrphid larvae were the most abundant aphid predator and Episyrphus balteatus the most common species. Ladybirds (Coccinella septempunctata and Propylea quatuordecimpunctata) were less numerous and only a few Chrysoperla carnea larvae were recorded. These results indicate that products that are less toxic to syrphid larvae, like esfenvalerate and fluvalinate, may be preferable to other compounds to control cereal aphids in wheat in spring and early summer. However, other criteria, such as the effectiveness of the different aphid‐specific predators, cost, efficacy of the treatment and side effects on other aphid antagonists (including parasitic hymenoptera and polyphagous predators) must also be taken into consideration. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

菊芋叶片提取物对棉铃虫生长发育的影响

首次尝试用石油醚、乙醚、乙酸乙酯和水等4种溶剂对菊芋叶片进行平行提取,以棉铃虫(Heliothis armigeraHübner)为供试昆虫,应用饲喂称重法测定菊芋叶片不同溶剂提取物对其生长发育的影响。结果表明:菊芋叶片水提取物处理的棉铃虫幼虫体重与对照相比差异不显著;各有机溶剂提取物处理的幼虫体重均显著比对照低;从第3天至第7天,各有机溶剂提取物处理的幼虫体重之间差异显著;各有机溶剂处理的校正死亡率差异显著,但以乙酸乙酯提取物死亡率为最高,达45.83%;各有机溶剂处理的幼虫期比对照延长了3～5 d,化蛹率最低仅为36.67%;各处理蛹重也显著小于对照。     

Biological effects of combining carboxin,organomercury fungicides and insecticides as seed dressings for wheat,and the effect of these combinations on adherence of the pesticides to the seed

When seeds of winter wheat were carefully dressed in the laboratory with combinations of fungicides (organomercury alone or organomercury plus the systemic fungicide carboxin) and insecticides (aldrin, carbophenothion or chlorfenvinphos as liquid formulations, or a γ-BHC powder formulation) so as to ensure that nearly all the recommended amounts of the active ingredients stuck to them, the insecticides gave good insect control, but γ-BHC with organomercury fungicide decreased the number of plants that germinated, and γ-BHC with carboxin and organomercury was even more damaging. Commercially dressed seeds had only about 30 to 60% of the target dose of fungicides, but more than 80% of the target doses of the liquid insecticides aldrin, carbophenothion and chlorfenvinphos. With combinations of powder fungicide and liquid insecticide, greater amounts of pesticide on the seed were obtained if the insecticide was put on first. Because of unusually late sowings and little fungal infestation, neither laboratory nor commercially treated seeds provided good tests for control of smut.     

Effect of Jasmonic Application on Economically Insect Pests and Yeald in Spring Wheat

Field trials were conducted in spring wheat to observe effects of jasmonic acid (JA) on aphids, thrips and wheat blossom midge (WBM). Two spring wheat varieties (Triso and Kadrilj) were sprayed twice, with two concentrations of JA plus control. Wheat pests and associated natural enemies (Coccinellidae, Empididae and Aphelinidae) were surveyed by direct count and sweep net methods. Thrips larvae and adults and WBM larvae were estimated by dissecting wheat ears. Wheat midge larvae were monitored using white traps in treated and untreated plots. At the end of season, wheat yield was assessed in treated and control plots. There was a significant difference in the number of insect pests and their natural enemies between treatments in both varieties. Plants in control plots had higher numbers of aphids, thrips and midges than in treated plots. There were more aphids, thrips and midges on the variety ??Triso?? than on ??Kadrilj??. JA application enhanced wheat yield in treated plots compared to control plots. The results indicated that JA mediated induction of plant defense in wheat plants can improve resistance against insect herbivores. JA could be used to develop environmentally sound crop management with reduced insecticide applications.     

Insecticidal control of hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor say: Dipt., Cecidomyiidae) on wheat and barley in cyprus

Hessian fly was controlled to a maximum of 95% with organophosphate insecticides, in terms of the number of puparia and percentage tiller infestation at harvest. Granules: phorate at 1.68 kg/ha (1 1/2 lb/acre) as 10% granules in the seed furrow was most effective on durum wheat in 1967–8, with 69–92%, control, of tillers infested. 1.12 kg/ha gave 74–89% control, 0.56 kg/ha in the seed furrow 35–54%. Seed furrow treatment was more effective than band or broadcast treatment over young plants, although granules broadcast over young barley at 1.68 kg/ha of phorate gave 74% control in 1967–8. Fonofos (Dyfonate) granules at 1.55 kg fonofos/ha were most effective on barley in 1968–9, with 66% control. After fonofos and phorate, disulfoton at 1.68 kg disulfoton/ha was next in effect, with up to 86%, control in 1967-8 and 24% in 1968–9, but variable and not much more effective than at 0.56 kg/ha. Other insecticides were less effective. Seed dressings: disulfoton was the most effective, giving 79% control in 1967-8 on wheat and 77% on barley at a high rate of application that was phytotoxic in 1968–9. Diazinon, bromophos and ethion gave 15–38%, control and chlorfenvinphos and dimethoate less. Carbaryl dust at 1.12 kg carbaryl/ha gave 32% control. Yields were poor, but grain yield was increased by up to 33% in wheat in 1967-8, averaging about 15%. Barley yield was increased by 7% in 1967–8, and from 9–23% in 1968-9 by fonofos and phorate granules. Insect control reduced the number of tillers, increased the number of heads and increased the grain weight per head. In observation plots, chlormequat (CCC) spray alone at the 5-leaf stage reduced infestation of wheat by between 22% and 43%, but CCC with fertilizer, and fertilizer alone had no conclusive effect. High fly populations are partly due to leaving crop residues in the field at harvest. When these can be ploughed in, infestation should decrease. The use of insecticides may not be economic unless more consistent increases in yield can be obtained.     

Insecticidal efficacy of beauveria bassiana,diatomaceous earth and fenitrothion against rhyzopertha dominica and tribolium castaneum on stored wheat

Bioassays were conducted in stored grains to evaluate the combined use of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana, diatomaceous earth (DE) and fenitrothion against adults of Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum. The insecticide agents were applied to wheat as follows: the fungus at 1 × 10⁸ conidia/kg of wheat, DE at 3 g/kg of wheat and fenitrothion at a rate of 0.15 ml/kg of wheat (25% of field dose rate). Surviving insects and progeny production were monitored at thirty-day intervals until four months. For both insect species, significantly less progeny was produced on wheat treated with fenitrothion and DE + B. bassiana formulations in comparison with controls. The effect of insecticides on the grain damage, germination power of wheat and bulk density was also evaluated. After four months, B. bassiana mixed with DE reduced the damaged insect grains by 50% in comparison with both fenitrothion and control treatments. Trials using DE caused a reduction in bulk density while there were no significant differences for germination testing between treatments.     

黑森瘿蚊在新疆的发现及调查研究

1975年春,新疆八一农学院植保班师生,在霍城县小麦田中发现了瘿蚊幼虫。至1980年经有关方面共同调查和鉴定,认为是黑森瘿蚊。1981年八一农学院组织人员前往发生最严重的博乐县,作了进一步的调查研究,查明在博乐县一年主要有两个为害世代,在两个世代之间还能发生1～2次。冬春麦不同生育阶段的被害状很不相同。文中分析了黑森瘿蚊发生与自然天敌及环境条件的关系。对黑森瘿蚊的治理,最重要的措施是麦收后的浅耕灭茬,再结合深耕。在药物防治上,用3911拌种效果较好。     

Control of Forest Insects by Ultra-low Volume Spraying

Ultra-low volume spraying calls for special insecticide formulations. Technical grade material is sprayed, at rates of only 500–1,500 c.c./ha., by mistblower, fixedwing aircraft, or helicopter, using special nozzles or the rotary atomizer system. There are a number of advantages in the use of technical grade materials, particularly in forestry: the need for solvents and carriers is eliminated, mixing is unnecessary, storage and transport costs are greatly reduced and aircraft payloads provide for greater coverage.
Trials carried out in the period 1967–69 against 11 forest insect pests, including sucking species, beetles, and larvae, gave good results with ULV concentrates of malathion, dimethoate, and bromophos-ethyl. Motorized knapsack sprayers were used for the work, but a trial helicopter spraying with 1,500 c.c. malathion against larvae of Coleophora laricella (Hb.) was also made in August 1968, producing the result required: protection of trees from significant defoliation.     

Supervised control of the carrot fly in the Netherlands; insights from a dirty dataset1

‘De Groene Vlieg’ (the Green Fly) is an independent company offering various services concerning integrated pest management in open field agriculture in the Netherlands. One such service is the supervised control of carrot fly (Psila rosae). From 1993 to 2008 the company has monitored the carrot fly population on a total of nearly 65 000 hectares resulting in an extensive dataset. The data was not collected according to proper experimental methods, hence it is titled dirty, but the size of the dataset does allow valuable insights to be gained. De Groene Vlieg monitors the carrot fly population on each field separately. Sticky traps are collected weekly and flies are counted in the laboratory. Growers receive messages containing advice regarding when to apply insecticides and they are responsible for doing so. Overall, over a third of the fields require no spraying at all and for 75% of the fields growers are advised to spray three times or less. One insight from the dataset is that small carrots require more insecticide treatments than large carrots (‘winter carrots’). Reasons for this difference are probably both regional and cultural. Additionally, focusing on a small and uniform area reveals that carrot fly population dynamics are highly variable between years. Another insight is that sowing date has a large effect on the number of insecticide sprayings that are required. Fields sown before the first flight have more flies in the second flight than fields sown later. Comparison of biological and conventional carrot fields shows that carrot fly populations are similar for the first flight. However, during the second flight the number of flies is much higher on organic fields than on conventional ones. Finally, insecticide seed treatment with chlorfenvinphos to control the reproduction of the first flight appears slightly more efficient than supervised control. However, supervised control seems as efficient as seed treatment with clothianidin and beta cyfluthrin.     

Evaluation of oil formulations of deltamethrin for use on cotton targets for tsetse fly control

A range of formulations of deltamethrin were prepared, some containing an ultraviolet (UV) absorber compound or a combination of the UV absorber and an oil, and applied to blue cotton tsetse fly target samples which were then exposed to the effect of simulated sunlight and water in the laboratory. The residue of insecticide remaining on the targets and the activity of the latter against tsetse flies was determined. Formulations containing the UV absorber and coconut oil or silicone oil remained the most effective against tsetse flies. A coconut oil formulation of the insecticide was selected for field evaluation in comparison with a commercial deltamethrin formulation, Glossinex 200′ S.C., which contains 10% UV absorber. Target samples treated with these formulations were exposed to natural tsetse fly habitat in Ghana for a period of five months and evaluated for deltamethrin residues and activity against four species of tsetse fly. After five months, 4–13 times more deltamethrin remained on the targets treated with the coconut oil formulation than on those treated with ‘Glossinex’, and consequently the former were more active against tsetse flies than the latter. Target samples sequentially dipped in the coconut oil formulation resulted in uniform insecticide concentration on the targets, whereas those dipped in ‘Glossinex’ contained gradually decreasing deltamethrin concentrations.     

The use of bendiocarb in ryegrass establishment

Problems with the establishment of autumn-reseeded ryegrass can be attributed to a number of causes, one of which is damage by pests, particularly larvae of shoot-boring flies such as the frit fly (Oscinella frit). In trials over a period of 2 years, bendiocarb has been tested as a seed treatment and as spray and granule formulations for the protection of ryegrass seedlings from pest attack. The trials have included both conventional broadcasting of seed following ploughing of the old sward, and direct drilling following the use of total herbicide. Seed treatments at rates of 10 g a.i. kg^?1 of seed and above have given greatly improved plant stands, resulting in yield increases in some trials. Spray and granule applications at 0.5-1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1 have significantly improved establishment at some sites. Bendiocarb has also been tested on spring reseeded leys and although results have been less dramatic than on autumn sowings, significant increases in plant stand were obtained. No evidence of phytotoxicity has been found with any variety of Italian or perennial ryegrass which has been tested, nor with timothy and cocksfoot which have been included in mixtures.     

Susceptibility of house flies (Diptera: Muscidae) exposed to commercial insecticides on painted and unpainted plywood panels

House flies were collected from dairies in New York state and the levels of resistance to commercially available insecticide formulations were measured on painted and unpainted plywood panels. Dimethoate was ineffective on all surfaces. The wettable powder permethrin formulation was more toxic than the emulsifiable concentrate formulation. The wettable powder cyfluthrin formulation was also more toxic than the recently developed liquid formulation. In general, the best house fly control was obtained on flat latex painted plywood panels and the poorest control on gloss latex painted panels. It is highly unlikely that producers obtain adequate control with dimethoate and permethrin.