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UC Pest Management Guidelines

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Alfalfa

Relative Toxicities of Insecticides and Miticides Used in Alfalfa to Natural Enemies and Honey Bees

(Reviewed 11/06, updated 9/10)

In this Guideline:

Common name (trade name) Mode of action1 Selectivity2
(affected groups)		 Predatory mites3 General predators4 Parasites4 Honey bees5 Duration of impact to natural enemies6
Bacillus thuringiensis spp. aizawai 11.B1 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
Bacillus thuringiensis spp. kurstaki 11.B2 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
carbaryl (Sevin) 1A broad (insects, mites) L/H H H I long
chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) 28 narrow (primarily caterpillars) L L L/M

IV

 short
chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) 1B broad (insects, mites) M H H I moderate
cyfluthrin (Baythroid, Renounce) 3 broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate
dimethoate 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H I long
indoxacarb (Steward) 22A narrow (caterpillars, lygus) — L L I moderate
lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) 3 broad (plant bugs, beetles, caterpillars) H H H I moderate
malathion 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H II moderate
methomyl (Lannate) 1A broad (insects, mites) H H H III moderate
methoxyfenozide (Intrepid) 18 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
neem oil (Trilogy) — broad (soft-bodied insects) L L L III short
permethrin (Pounce, Ambush) 3 broad (insects, mites) L H H I long
phosmet (Imidan) 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate to long
zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) 3 broad (insects, mites) H M M I moderate

H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information

1   Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.
2 Selectivity: broad means it affects most groups of insects and mites; narrow means it affects only a few specific groups.
3 Generally, toxicities are to western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis. Where differences have been measured in toxicity of the pesticide-resistant strain versus the native strain, these are listed as pesticide-resistant strain/native strain.
4 Toxicities are averages of reported effects and should be used only as a general guide. Actual toxicity of a specific chemical depends on the species of predator or parasite, environmental conditions, and application rate.
5 Ratings are as follows: I = Do not apply to blooming plants; II = Apply only during late evening; III = Apply only during late evening, night, or early morning; and IV = Apply at any time with reasonable safety to bees. For more information, see How to Reduce Bee Poisoning From Pesticides (PDF), Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW591.
6 Duration: short means hours to days; moderate means days to 2 weeks; and long means many weeks or months.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa
UC ANR Publication 3430
General Information
Acknowledgments: This table was compiled based on research data and experience of University of California scientists working on a variety of crops.

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