Impact of Type and Timing of Southern Corn Rootworm Treatments on Predaceous Arthropods in Peanut

Abstract

At-flowering and at-pegging treatments of soil-applied insecticides for southern corn rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, control were examined to determine if type and/or timing of insecticide affected the abundance of predaceous arthropods in reproductive-stage peanuts. Orius insidiosus (Say) and spiders comprised the majority of predators captured during the study. Effects of timing were variable, but indicated that earlier, at-flowering pesticide application may allow for better re-establishment of some predators (e.g., O. insidiosus), and for the total number of predators, than later, at-pegging pesticide applications. There was no consistent effect of chlorpyrifos or fonophos applied at flowering, or chlorpyrifos or ethoprop applied at pegging, on predator abundance in reproductive-stage peanuts.