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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Asparagus

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

(Reviewed 11/05, updated 6/09)

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 ssp. aizawai 11.B1 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
carbaryl (Sevin) bait 1A narrow (cutworms, army-worms, etc.) L L L IV short
carbaryl (Sevin) XLR Plus 1A broad (insects) L H H I7 long
chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) 1B broad (insects, mites) M H H I8 moderate
disulfoton (Di-Syston) 1B broad (insects) H H H II9 —
methomyl (Lannate) 1A broad (insects) H H H III moderate
permethrin (Ambush, Pounce) 3 broad (insects) L H H I long
petroleum oils — broad (exposed insects) L10 L L III short
pyrethrin (PyGanic) 3 broad (insects) — M M III short
pyrethrin/rotenone (Pyrellin EC) 3/21 broad (insects) — — H III short
pymetrozine (Fulfill) 9B narrow (aphids) L L L III short
spinetoram (Radiant) 5 narrow (caterpillars, thrips, aphids) L/H M11 L/M III moderate12
spinosad (Entrust, Success) 5 narrow (caterpillars, thrips, aphids) L/H M11 L/M III short to moderate11
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 the 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 (164 KB, 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.
7 If rate is 1.5 lb a.i. or less and dilution not greater than 1:19, rating is II.
8 If rate is 0.05 lb a.i./acre or less, rating is III.
9 If rate is 0.5 lb a.i./acre or less, rating is III.
10 Rating depends on rate used.
11 Toxic against some natural enemies (predatory thrips, syrphid fly and lacewing larvae, beetles) when sprayed and up to 5-7 days after, especially for syrphid fly larvae.
12 Residual is moderate if solution is between pH of 7 to 8.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Asparagus
UC ANR Publication 3435
General Information
Acknowledgements: This table was compiled based on research data and experience of University of California scientists who work on a variety of crops and contribute to the Pest Management Guideline database, and from Flint, M.L. and S.H. Dreistadt. 1998. Natural Enemies Handbook: An Illustrated Guide to Biological Pest Control, ANR Publication 3386.

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