016 Assessment of Insecticide Efficacy for Root Weevil Control

Abstract

In July 1999, adult stages of root weevils were established in 1-gal containers planted with Rhododendron `PJM.' Each pot was inoculated with one black vine weevil, three rough strawberry root weevils, and four strawberry root weevils. On 12 July, insecticide spray treatments were applied. Treatments were evaluated for percent adult mortality at 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT). Black vine weevils were more sensitive to the insecticides studied than either strawberry root weevil or rough strawberry root weevil. There was considerable mortality of the black vine weevils and rough strawberry root weevils in the untreated plots by 14 DAT. Talstar Flowable (bifenthrin), Alta (deltamethrin), Topside (lamda cyhalothrin), and CGA 293 343 (thiamethoxam) all gave 100% control 7 DAT. Additionally, Closure (bendiocarb) and acephate gave 75% or better control at 7 DAT. Rough strawberry root weevil had 100% mortality in only the Alta-treated plots at 7 DAT, followed by 93% and 80% mortality in Topside and acephate-treated plots, respectively. Mortality of the strawberry root weevils in the untreated plots by 14 DAT remained relatively low. Strawberry root weevils were more resistant to the applied insecticide treatments. Only Topside-treated plots had 90% or greater mortality at 7 DAT, followed by Talstar (60%), Alta (58%), and acephate (54%). Topside-treated plots had 90% or greater mortality at 14 DAT followed by Talstar (76%), Alta (68%), and Closure (60%). Combined root weevil species mortality showed highest mortality at 7 DAT in Topside-treated plots (87% or greater), followed by Alta (74% or greater), and acephate (73%).