Secondary Pest Outbreaks Research Articles

Toxicities of Neonicotinoid Insecticides for Systemic Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Fruiting Vegetables1

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest of various crops, including fruiting vegetables, throughout the mid-Atlantic U.S.A. Current control strategies for this pest rely almost exclusively on foliar applications of broad-spectrum insecticides, which disrupt IPM programs and cause secondary pest outbreaks. Systemic neonicotinoids applied to the root-zone via soil drench or chemigation may be a more IPM friendly tactic for insect control in vegetables. Laboratory bioassays that utilized a plant uptake method showed that the neonicotinoid insecticides clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam were all toxic to H. halys nymphs, with estimated LC50 values of 0.077, 0.013, 0.068, and 0.018 ppm, respectively. Field efficacy experiments in Virginia showed that two soil applications of each of the aforementioned neonicotinoid insecticides significantly reduced stink bug damage to pepper and tomato. Field experiments conducted on tomatoes in North Carolina in 2012 and 2014 revealed a similar reduction in stink bug damage with a single-drip chemigation application of either dinotefuran or imidacloprid. In those trials, clothianidin was not efficacious and thiamethoxam was only effective in 2012. Our studies demonstrate the potential for soil applications of neonicotinoids to reduce stink bug damage to fruiting vegetables.

Synthesis results from eight years of field testing insecticides against Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri vector of huanglongbing: Considerations and Implications

Diaphorina citri also known as Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) vectors Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, causal organism of the Asian “huanglongbing” or citrus greening disease and therefore needs to be managed effectively. Forty-three insecticides containing 39 active ingredients (a.i) recommended or experimental were tested during the growing season in foliar sprays (171 treatments, 35 a.i) targeted at flushing trees and soil applications (26 treatments, 6 a.i) to control ACP in citrus between 2005-2012. Psyllid suppression varied with product and lasted 1-7 weeks using foliar sprays on mature trees and 6-33 weeks using soil drenches in young trees. Experimental insecticides tolfenpyrad (Apta 15 SC), flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200 SL), sulfoxaflor (Closer 240 SC), cyantraniliprole (Verimark), and Chromobacterium substugae (Grandevo/MBI-203 EP) performed equal to or better than recommended products. Unfortunately, eggs and young nymphs are protected inside unfolded leaves such that insecticidal sprays may kill more predators and parasitoids common during growing season that would otherwise attack immature ACP and other citrus pests. Addition of new insecticides will broaden the range of products available to control ACP. Nevertheless, one to two sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides during dormant winter period when most mature trees are not producing new growth and beneficial insects are scarce can provide up to 6 months of ACP suppression into growing season and also conserve beneficial insects. Therefore, psyllid suppression using one or two dormant winter sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides followed by regular monitoring and rotation of relatively selective chemistries during growing season will help to reduce incidence of huanglongbing, pest resistance to insecticides and secondary pest outbreaks.

Biology, Ecology, and Management of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stal, is an invasive, herbivorous insect species that was accidentally introduced to the United States from Asia. First discovered in Allentown, PA, in 1996, H. halys has now been reported from at least 40 states in the United States. Additional invasions have been detected in Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and Lichtenstein, suggesting this invasive species could emerge as a cosmopolitan pest species. In its native range, H. halys is classified as an outbreak pest; however, in North America, H. halys has become a major agricultural pest across a wide range of commodities. H. halys is a generalist herbivore, capable of consuming >100 different species of host plants, often resulting in substantial economic damage; its feeding damage resulted in US$37 million of losses in apple in 2010, but this stink bug species also attacks other fruit, vegetable, field crop, and ornamental plant species. H. halys has disrupted integrated pest management programs for multiple cropping systems. Pesticide applications, including broad-spectrum insecticides, have increased in response to H. halys infestations, potentially negatively influencing populations of beneficial arthropods and increasing secondary pest outbreaks. H. halys is also challenging because it affects homeowners as a nuisance pest; the bug tends to overwinter in homes and outbuildings. Although more research is required to better understand the ecology and biology of H. halys , we present its life history, host plant damage, and the management options available for this invasive pest species.

Insecticide-mediated shift in ecological dominance between two competing species of grain beetles.

Competition is a driving force regulating communities often considered an intermittent phenomenon, difficult to verify and potentially driven by environmental disturbances. Insecticides are agents of environmental disturbance that can potentially change ecological relationships and competitive outcomes, but this subject has seldom been examined. As the co-existing cereal grain beetle species Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Rhyzopertha dominica F. share a common realized niche, directly competing for the same resources, they were used as models in our study. Intraspecific competition experiments were performed with increasing insect densities and insecticide doses in additive and replacement series using various density combinations of both beetle species maintained on insecticide-free or -sprayed grains. Insecticide-mediated release from competitive stress was not observed in our study of intraspecific competition in grain beetles. The insecticide enhanced the effect of insect density, particularly for the maize weevil S. zeamais, further impairing population growth at high densities. Therefore, insecticide susceptibility increased with intraspecific competition favoring insecticide efficacy. However, the effect of insecticide exposure on competitive interaction extends beyond intraspecific competition, affecting interspecific competition as well. Sitophilus zeamais was the dominant species when in interspecific competition prevailing in natural conditions (without insecticide exposure), but the dominance and species prevalence shifted from S. zeamais to R. dominica under insecticide exposure. Therefore, high conspecific densities favored insecticide efficacy, but the strength of the relationship differs with the species. In addition, the insecticide mediated a shift in species dominance and competition outcome indicating that insecticides are relevant mediators of species interaction, potentially influencing community composition and raising management concerns as potential cause of secondary pest outbreaks.

English

Plants are prone to various biotic stresses in nature by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, harmful insects and weeds. The biggest percentage loss (70%) in plants is attributed to insects. Lepidoptera is one such diversified phytophagous insect group, which include Helicoverpa armigera, a key pest of many food crops including chickpea, pigeonpea, pea, lentil, chillies, sunflower, tomato, tobacco and cotton. Controlling this insect has been a big task for farmers leading to the manufacture of a plethora of pesticides. However, over reliance on chemical pesticides has resulted in problems including safety risks, environmental contamination, outbreaks of secondary pests, insecticide resistance and decrease in biodiversity. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of eco-friendly methods such as entomopathogens, antagonist or competitor populations of a third organism and botanicals to suppress H. armigera . Also, many compounds from microorganisms have been found to be effective in crop production, and these have a role in controlling H. armigera . The actinomycetes play an astounding role in controlling the key plant pathogens. They are the representative genera of higher microbial mass in the soil. Numerous studies have shown that these productive actino-bacteria can generate an impressive array of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, antitumor agents, insecticides etc. This review emphasizes the mechanism behind resistance to insecticides along with actinomycetes and its potential as a biocontrol agent against H. armigera . Keywords: Helicoverpa armigera , actinomycetes, biocontrol, metabolites African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(18), 1835-1844

Influence of planting date on stink bug injury, yield, fiber quality, and economic returns in Georgia cotton.

Phytophagous stink bugs are economically important pests of annual and perennial crops in the southeastern United States. Because of insecticide resistance and risk of secondary pest outbreaks, there is interest in identifying cultural practices that could lead to reduced insecticide applications. The objective of this project was to assess the importance of cotton planting date on stink bug damage to cotton. Unsprayed cotton plots with biweekly planting dates were established at three locations in southern Georgia in each of two crop years. During the bloom cycle, stink bug-induced boll injury was estimated weekly in each plot. Plots were subsequently defoliated, mechanically harvested, and ginned to assess differences in fiber yield and quality attributable to stink bug injury. Results show that the rate of boll damage generally increased more rapidly through the bloom cycle for planting dates in June compared with May. Similarly, estimates of boll damage from June-planted cotton more frequently exceeded the stink bug treatment threshold compared with May-planted cotton. In 2011, mean lint yield and economic returns from May planting dates were significantly greater than June planting dates. In 2012, lint yield and economic returns were greater in plots established in early May compared with later planting dates. Estimates of HVI color + b, a measure of fiber yellowness, were lower in early May-planted cotton compared with June planting. These data show that growers need to be aware of increased stink bug damage potential when planting late.

Mitigating the effects of insecticides on arthropod biological control at field and landscape scales

Integrated pest management (IPM) programs emphasize the combination of tactics, such as chemical and biological control, to maintain pest populations below economic thresholds. Although combining tactics may provide better long-term sustainable pest suppression than one tactic alone, in many cases, insecticides and natural enemies are incompatible. Insecticides can disrupt natural enemies through lethal and sub-lethal means causing pest resurgence or secondary pest outbreaks. Legislative actions such as the Food Quality Protection Act (US) and the Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides (EU) have placed greater restrictions on insecticides used in agriculture, potentially enhancing biological control. Here we focus on the effects of insecticides on biological control, and potential mitigation measures that can operate at different scales. At the farm scale, natural enemies can be conserved through the use of selective insecticides, low doses, special formulations, creation of refugia, special application methods, and targeted applications (temporal or spatial). At the landscape scale, habitat quality and composition affect the magnitude of biological control services, and the degree of mitigation against the effects of pesticides on natural enemies. Current research is teasing apart the relative importance of local and landscape effects of pesticides on natural enemies and the ecosystem services they provide, and the further development of this area will ultimately inform the decisions of policy makers and land managers in terms of how to mitigate pesticide effects through habitat manipulation.

HYMENOPTEROUS BIOPESTICIDES AND THEIR PRELIMINARY BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL FROM WESTERN MAHARSHTRA INCLUDING GHATS

Hymenpterous parasitoids are biopesticides scattered in the environment which develop on pest insects and kill them. The use of pesticides leads tremendous pressure on various ecosystems causing pest resistance, secondary pest outbreak, pest resurgence, pollution, health hazards and destruction to ecocycles. Hence, biopesticides (parasitoids) play a very crucial role in pest control and keeping environment ecofriendly. A total of 96 hymenopterous parasitoids belonging to 6 prominent families namely, Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Chalcidae, Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae and Aphelinidae were recorded parasitizing and killing various insect pests both from plain and forest (Western Ghats) ecosystems. The family Braconidae was dominant over others by the number of individuals (39) parasitizing pest insects. Second dominant family was Ichneumonidae with 36 species followed by Eulophidae, Trichogrammatidae, Chalcidae and Aphelinidae by the numbers 7, 7, 6 and 1 respectively. The results also indicated that 84 species of parasitoids were common, 12 rare and parasitized and killed more than 40 species of insect pests.

Baculoviruses as microbial insecticides

The use of conventional pesticides lead to a myriad of problems such as environmental pollution, pest resurgence, secondary pest outbreak and many more. The present era is the era of new technologies that are novel, sustainable and environment friendly. Thus, when one talks about plant protection, the techniques that fulfil the above criteria are always welcome. One such technique is the use of microbial insecticides against the major insect-pests. The use of pathogenic microorganisms for pest control is not a new concept, but there have been continuous research and re-evaluations in the ongoing technologies, so as to create more potent products. The necessity of the baculoviruses is indispensable when it comes to managing the pests. This can be proved by the fact that a lot of countries including India have successfully exploited this biopesticide against many pests. The use of the contemporary technology, such as gene incorporation and genetic engineering has made the products much more effective. Baculoviruses are relatively very safe as they cause diseases in the arthropods only and no significant damage has been noted in the non-target population. The prospects of this emerging biopesticide are immense. The use of baculoviruses as potential microbial insecticides is the perfect choice under the current circumstances. Its use will lead agriculture towards precision and sustainability.

Insecticide‐induced hormesis and arthropod pest management

Ecological backlashes such as insecticide resistance, resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks are frequent problems associated with insecticide use against arthropod pest species. The last two have been particularly important in sparking interest in the phenomenon of insecticide-induced hormesis within entomology and acarology. Hormesis describes a biphasic dose-response relationship that is characterized by a reversal of response between low and high doses of a stressor (e.g. insecticides). Although the concept of insecticide-induced hormesis often does not receive sufficient attention, or has been subject to semantic confusion, it has been reported in many arthropod pest species and natural enemies, and has been linked to pest outbreaks and potential problems with insecticide resistance. The study of hormesis remains largely neglected in entomology and acarology. Here, we examined the concept of insecticide-induced hormesis in arthropods, its functional basis and potential fitness consequences, and its importance in arthropod pest management and other areas.

Beyond selectivity: Are behavioral avoidance and hormesis likely causes of pyrethroid-induced outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis?

Secondary pest outbreak is a counterintuitive ecological backlash of pesticide use in agriculture that takes place with the increase in abundance of a non-targeted pest species after pesticide application against a targeted pest species. Although the phenomenon was well recognized, its alternative causes are seldom considered. Outbreaks of the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis are frequently reported in Brazilian coffee farms after the application of pyrethroid insecticides against the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella. Selectivity favoring the red mite against its main predatory mites is generally assumed as the outbreak cause, but this theory has never been tested. Here, we assessed the toxicity (and thus the selectivity) of deltamethrin against both mite species: the southern red mite and its phytoseid predator Amblyseius herbicolus. Additionally, behavioral avoidance and deltamethrin-induced hormesis were also tested as potential causes of red mite outbreak using free-choice behavioral walking bioassays with the predatory mite and life-table experiments with both mite species, respectively. Lethal toxicity bioassays indicated that the predatory mite was slightly more susceptible than its prey (1.5×), but in more robust demographic bioassays, the predator was three times more tolerant to deltamethrin than its prey, indicating that predator susceptibility to deltamethrin is not a cause of the reported outbreaks. The predator did not exhibit behavioral avoidance to deltamethrin; however insecticide-induced hormesis in the red mite led to its high population increase under low doses, which was not observed for the predatory mite. Therefore, deltamethrin-induced hormesis is a likely cause of the reported red mite outbreaks.

Asian corn borer (ACB) and non‐ACB pests in GM corn (Zea mays L.) in the Philippines

The Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée), has become the most damaging pest in corn in south-east Asia. Corn farmers in the Philippines have incurred great yield losses in the past decades because of ACB infestation. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Bt herbicide-tolerant (BtHT) corns have been developed to reduce borer attacks worldwide. This study assessed the extent of ACB and non-ACB pest infestations in both GM and non-GM corn in Isabela Province, the Philippines. Specific aims were to reinvestigate the efficacy of Bt corn in controlling ACB, to evaluate what parts of Bt corn plants are susceptible to ACB, to monitor the potential development of ACB resistance and to evaluate whether secondary pests dominate in an ACB-free Bt corn environment. The study involved preparatory interviews with farmers, site selection, field scouting and visual inspection of 200 plants along 200 m transect lines through 198 cornfields. Bt corn can efficiently reduce the ACB pest problem and reduce borer damage by 44%, to damage levels in Bt and BtHT corn of 6.8 and 7% respectively. The leaves of Bt corn were more susceptible, while cobs of Bt corn were less affected by ACB. Non-ACB pests were common in Bt toxin-free cornfields and reduced in non-GM cornfields where ACB was abundant. No secondary pest outbreaks were found in ACB-free Bt cornfields. Bt and BtHT corn hybrids containing the Cry1Ab protein performed well in Isabela Province. Reduced cob damage by ACB on Bt fields could mean smaller economic losses even with ACB infestation. The occurrence of ACB in Bt and BtHT cornfields, although at a moderate and insignificant level, could imply the potential development of resistance to Bt toxin.

Bt cotton and sustainability of pesticide reductions in India

Studies from different countries show that transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops can reduce chemical pesticide use with positive economic, environmental, and health effects. However, most of these studies build on cross-section survey data, so that longer term effects have not been analyzed. Bt resistance and secondary pest outbreaks may potentially reduce or eliminate the benefits over time, especially in developing countries where refuge strategies are often not implemented. Here, we use data from a unique panel survey of cotton farmers conducted in India between 2002 and 2008. Accounting for possible selection bias, we show that the Bt pesticide reducing effect has been sustainable. In spite of an increase in pesticide sprays against secondary pests, total pesticide use has decreased significantly over time. Bt has also reduced pesticide applications by non-Bt farmers. These results mitigate the concern that Bt technology would soon become obsolete in small farmer environments. The survey data on actual pesticide use in farmers’ fields complement previous entomological research.

Quantifying secondary pest outbreaks in cotton and their monetary cost with causal-inference statistics

Secondary pest outbreaks occur when the use of a pesticide to reduce densities of an unwanted target pest species triggers subsequent outbreaks of other pest species. Although secondary pest outbreaks are thought to be familiar in agriculture, their rigorous documentation is made difficult by the challenges of performing randomized experiments at suitable scales. Here, we quantify the frequency and monetary cost of secondary pest outbreaks elicited by early-season applications of broad-spectrum insecticides to control the plant bug Lygus spp. (primarily L. hesperus) in cotton grown in the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA. We do so by analyzing pest-control management practices for 969 cotton fields spanning nine years and 11 private ranches. Our analysis uses statistical methods to draw formal causal inferences from nonexperimental data that have become popular in public health and economics, but that are not yet widely known in ecology or agriculture. We find that, in fields that received an early-season broad-spectrum insecticide treatment for Lygus, 20.2% +/- 4.4% (mean +/- SE) of late-season pesticide costs were attributable to secondary pest outbreaks elicited by the early-season insecticide application for Lygus. In 2010 U.S. dollars, this equates to an additional $6.00 +/- $1.30 (mean +/- SE) per acre in management costs. To the extent that secondary pest outbreaks may be driven by eliminating pests' natural enemies, these figures place a lower bound on the monetary value of ecosystem services provided by native communities of arthropod predators and parasitoids in this agricultural system.

Bt maize and integrated pest management ‐ a European perspective

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), the Mediterranean corn borer (Sesamia nonagrioides) and the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) are the main arthropod pests in European maize production. Practised pest control includes chemical control, biological control and cultural control such as ploughing and crop rotation. A pest control option that is available since 1996 is maize varieties that are genetically engineered (GE) to produce insecticidal compounds. GE maize varieties available today express one or several genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that target corn borers or corn rootworms. Incentives to growing Bt maize are simplified farm operations, high pest control efficiency, improved grain quality and ecological benefits. Limitations include the risk of resistance evolution in target pest populations, risk of secondary pest outbreaks and increased administration to comply with licence agreements. Growers willing to plant Bt maize in the European Union (EU) often face the problem that authorisation is denied. Only one Bt maize transformation event (MON810) is currently authorised for commercial cultivation, and some national authorities have banned cultivation. Spain is the only EU member state where Bt maize adoption levels are currently delivering farm income gains near full potential levels. In an integrated pest management (IPM) context, Bt maize can be regarded as a preventive (host plant resistance) or a responsive pest control measure. In any case, Bt maize is a highly specific tool that efficiently controls the main pests and allows combination with other preventive or responsive measures to solve other agricultural problems including those with secondary pests.

Insecticide‐induced hormesis in an insecticide‐resistant strain of the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais

AbstractSublethal responses to insecticides are frequently neglected in studies of insecticide resistance, although stimulatory effects associated with low doses of compounds toxic at higher doses, such as insecticides, have been recognized as a general toxicological phenomenon. Evidence for this biphasic dose–response relationship, or hormesis, was recognized as one of the potential causes underlying pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks. Hormesis has also potentially important implications for managing insecticide‐resistant populations of insect‐pest species, but evidence of its occurrence in such context is lacking and fitness parameters are seldom considered in these studies. Here, we reported the stimulatory effect of sublethal doses of the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin sprayed on maize grains infested with a pyrethroid‐resistant strain of the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The parameters estimated from the fertility tables of resistant insects exposed to deltamethrin indicated a peak in the net reproductive rate at 0.05 ppm consequently leading to a peak in the intrinsic rate of population growth at this dose. The phenomenon is consistent with insecticide‐induced hormesis and its potential management implications are discussed.

Stimulatory Sublethal Response of a Generalist Predator to Permethrin: Hormesis, Hormoligosis, or Homeostatic Regulation?

The assessment of pesticide effects in arthropods historically have relied heavily on acute lethal effects. Although the sublethal responses to such compounds are sometimes neglected, stimulatory effects associated with low doses of compounds toxic at higher doses, such as pesticides, have been widely reported in recent years and recognized as a general toxicological phenomenon. Evidence of such stimulatory response has also been reported among mites and a few insect pest-species exposed to pesticides and recognized as a one of the potential causes underlying pest resurgence and secondary pest outbreaks. However, fitness parameters and its implications were seldom considered in these studies and natural enemies are not usually target of attention. Here, we reported the stimulatory effect of sublethal doses (ranging from 0.02 to 172.00 ppb in addition to the control) of the pyrethroid permethrin topically applied to third instar nymphs of the spined soldier bug, Podisus distinctus (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). The parameters estimated from the fertility tables of insects exposed to the increasing doses of insecticide indicated a slight increase in the mean survival time for doses > or = 0.20 ppb and a peak in the net reproductive rate at 1.72 ppb. This trend is coincident and correlated with the intrinsic rate of population growth (n = 18, r = 0.78, P = 0.0001), which also shows a peak at 1.72 ppb, leading to higher reproductive values of insects exposed to this dose. The phenomenon is consistent with insecticide-induced hormesis, for which the potential implications are discussed.

The Role of Entomologists in the Development of Sustainable Agriculture.

A historical overview of pest control, starting with the pesticide treadmill in the early post-World War II years, with its attendant negative impact: pest resistance, pest resurgence, bio-magnification, secondary pest outbreaks, effects on non-target organisms, etc. is presented. The enormous costs to modem agriculture: loss in biodiversity, destruction of ecosystems. soil erosion, water pollution, etc. are outlined. The origin of sustainable development and related concepts (social sustainability, economic sustainability, environmental sustainability) are discussed. Sustainable agriculture is defined and the goals listed. The concept, definition, philosophy of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and constraints on its implementation are outlined. A historical account on agricultural extension services. within the triangular agricultural knowledge paradigm, is discussed. The disturbing trend in post-secondary agricultural education in Africa is highlighted. The address concludes with successes in entomological research in Nigeria and a clarion call for intensified efforts in specific areas (research, IPM, extension, education, etc.), if entomologists are to contribute significantly to the development of sustainable agriculture in Nigeria.

Pheromone-based pest management can be cost-effective for walnut growers

Many organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides currently used by California walnut growers have been linked to negative environmental or human health impacts, increasing the probability of use restrictions and phase-outs. We assessed the acceptability of alternative reduced-risk strategies by comparing their costs to those of pest management programs currently in use among San Joaquin County walnut growers. To do this, we analyzed data from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's legally mandated Pesticide Use Reports on actual pesticide applications for 3 years, from 2002 to 2004. While many factors other than cost influence growers’ pest management choices, we found that alternative strategies can be cost-competitive with conventional approaches, depending on the pest pressure and savings due to reductions in secondary pest outbreaks.

Evaluation of the codling moth granulovirus and spinosad for codling moth control and impact on non-target species in pear orchards

Abstract We compared the efficacy of a commercial preparation of the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L., granulovirus, CpGV (Cyd-X®) and spinosad (Entrust®) at operational rates for codling moth control in 2004 and 2005. Concurrently we monitored the impact of treatments on populations of non-target arthropods. Spinosad was effective at protecting fruit, with ⩽1.6% codling moth injury in experimental plots, compared with up to 37% injury in the untreated plots at harvest. Mid-season outbreaks of the pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola Foerster, were also reduced in spinosad plots. Spinosad was safe for several predators, notably the psylla predator Deraeocoris brevis Uhler, but reduced the abundance of hymenopteran parasitoids by 24% and 40% and non-target Diptera by 49% and 35%, respectively in 2004 and 2005. We found no evidence that spinosad disrupted natural control leading to increased densities of secondary pests including aphids and phytophagous mites. CpGV was less effective than spinosad at protecting fruit, with percentage of fruits attacked similar to controls, but killed the majority (67–71%) of neonate coding moth larvae and did not harm non-target species. Additional observations were conducted in commercial orchards (mixed pear and apple) where CpGV and spinosad were used operationally against existing codling moth infestations. In pear, two spray programs applied in replicated 0.4 ha blocks (i.e. CpGV followed by spinosad against the first and second larval generations, respectively and vice versa) reduced fruit injury at harvest and decreased orchard pheromone monitoring trap catches by 74% over two years. In apple, CpGV was less effective at protecting fruit in the first larval generation compared with spinosad, although population suppression was effective early in the season. Spinosad caused no disruptions of beneficial species or secondary pest outbreaks were observed in the commercial orchards. Our results suggest CpGV and spinosad can be effectively used in integrated pest management for codling moth.