Control of insect pests on fruit and field crops with hexaflumuron in North Greece

Abstract

Experiments with hexaflumuron have been made against pests on apples, pears, peaches, potatoes and maize. On apples a predefined spray program was used for the combined control of Cydia pomonella (L) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), Phyllonorycter blancardella. (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), P. corylifoliella (Hbn) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), Leucoptera scitella (Zell.) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) and Adoxophyes orana (F.v. Roslerstamm) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Sprays started when C. pomonella adults appeared and were continued every 2, 3 and 4 weeks. Against Cacopsylla pyri L. (Homoptera: Psyllidae), Anarsia lineatella Zell. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Grapholitha molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), trials were made to define efficacy and timing, while trials on Leptinotarsa decendineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were only for efficacy. Hexaflumuron promised to be an excellent insecticide since it was at least as good as organophosphate standards, amitraz and the benzoylphenyl ureas (BPU) tested. With fewer sprays it gave seasonal and combined control on apple pests. It is a new BPU insecticide with low mammalian toxicity and fits IPM programs, since its toxicity to predators and parasites is low. Hexaflumuron had no effect on adults of the predator Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) in the potato trial. Sprays must start at the beginning of the oviposition of fruit damaging pests and at the egg or early larva-nymph stage of the foliage damaging pests. The spray must fully cover fruit and foliage.