Modeling the Effectiveness of Bifenthrin for Reducing Populations of Japanese and Oriental Beetle Larvae in Nursery Containers

Abstract

Abstract Preplant potting mix incorporation of Talstar 0.2G (bifenthrin) can prevent root weevil and white grub infestations in container-grown nursery crops. Analysis of bifenthrin residues from potting media aged under northern nursery conditions indicated that this insecticide has a half-life of at least 3 years, irrespective of medium composition. Dose-response tests of bifenthrin for controlling Japanese and oriental beetle larvae indicated that the LD50 for these species is approximately 1.1 and 1.7 parts per million (ppm), respectively. These data suggest that >95% larval mortality of these scarab species can be expected up to three years following treatment of media with 10 ppm bifenthrin, and >99.9% larval mortality is expected for at least three years following treatment of media with 20 ppm bifenthrin.