The use of insect growth regulators - implications for ipm with citrus in southern africa as an example

Abstract

IGRs have been widely promoted as being ideal IPM compatible pesticides. A number of IGRs have been used extensively on citrus in southern Africa providing excellent control of some target pests. However, field experience has indicated that this has had considerable direct and indirect detrimental effects on IPM. Bioassays confirmed that some of the IGRs used are highly detrimental to certain coccinellid and hymenopteran biocontrol agents of economic importance. Field experience and bioassays have indicated extreme persistence and widespread contamination resulting from agricultural use of some of these products. This presents a serious obstacle to maximisation of biocontrol in IPM and the success of future biocontrol projects using IGR-sensitive species. It also gives rise to concern about potential environmental contamination. In conclusion the use of IGRs should not be considered advantageous to IPM without careful investigation of their potential non-target effects in the particular agro-ecosystem and appropriate consideration for non-target effects in the surrounding environment.