The effect of imidacloprid on survival of some beneficial arthropods
David G. JamesA and Beverley VogeleB
A Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, 24106 North Bunn Road, Prosser, Washington 99350, USA.
B Yanco Agricultural Institute, NSW Agriculture, Yanco, New South Wales 2703, Australia
Summary
In laboratory bioassays, the field rate of imidacloprid registered for control of aphids in stone fruit (0.0053% a.i.), was highly toxic to Oechalia Schellembergii (Guerin-Meneville) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Archimantis sp. (Mantodea: Mantidae), partially toxic to Coccinella transversalis (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and non-toxic to Pristhesancus plagipennis Walker (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and Dicranolaius bellulus (Guerin-Meneville) (Coleoptera: Melyridae). This rate was also harmless to the predatory mites, Typhlodromus dossei Schicha and T. doreenae Schicha (Acari: Phytoseiidae), although a ten-fold increase in rate caused 19% mortality in T. doreenae. Populations of Stethorus vagans (Blackburn), Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), coccinellid and neuropteran larvae, were significantly reduced for 4-9 weeks by a single application of imidacloprid (0.0053% a.i.) to an apricot orchard. Populations of D. bellulus,spiders and parasitic Hymenoptera were not reduced by imidacloprid. The variability of imidacloprid in its impact on different species of beneficial arthropods is discussed with reference to its use in integrated pest management programs.
Plant Protection Quarterly (2001) 16 (2) 58-62.