Laboratory-based toxicological assessments of new insecticides on mortality and fecundity of Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) is one of the most abundant predatory phytoseid in deciduous fruit orchards under an integrated pest management (IPM) regimen in eastern North America. Laboratory studies using N. fallacis, and the 'modified excised leaf disc method' identified four insecticides out of six, that would require second-tier field studies before inclusion in an IPM program for deciduous orchards.

A laboratory assessment of the toxic attributes of six 'reduced risk insecticides' on Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

The modified excised leaf disc method was used to measure the effects of six insecticides on eggs, larvae, adults, and female fecundity of Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) in a 'worst case laboratory exposure'. This study identified insecticides that would be recommended for tier II field evaluations for an integrated pest management program. Commercially formulated insecticides were applied with a thin-layer chromatography sprayer adjusted to 10.

Effects of six selected orchard insecticides on Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory.

Background: Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) is a key predator of tetranychid mites in integrated pest management (IPM) programs across Canada. This study identified compounds that would be recommended for tier-II field evaluations in an IPM program.

Results: The overall egg mortality caused by the six insecticides was negligible as it extended from 0 to 12.

A modified excised leaf disc method to estimate the toxicity of slow- and fast-acting reduced-risk acaricides to mites.

The "modified excised leaf disc method" is based on leaf discs that fit tightly the bottom halves of 50-mm petri dishes. The bottom half of each petri dish is covered with wet cotton wool to prolong leaf freshness. The side wall of each bottom half has a small hole to allow the petiole of the leaf disc to protrude outside the petri dish.

Effect of seven new orchard pesticides on Galendromus occidentalis in laboratory studies.

Background: Biological control of phytophagous mites in orchards requires that pesticides used to manage other arthropod pests or diseases are harmless to predacious mites, as these are essential to keep phytophagous mites at non-injurious population levels. This study evaluates the possible toxic attributes of acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, spirodiclofen, spinosad and methoxyfenoxide currently used in western Canadian orchards.

Results: None of these pesticides has any ovicidal properties against Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt).