Sunspray Oil Research Articles

Repellency of selected biorational insecticides to potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera: Psyllidae)

Bactericera cockerelli has recently become a major concern because of its direct feeding and vectoring of bacterial diseases in many solanaceous crops. The repellency of four biorational insecticides, MOI-201 (a Chinese medicine plant extract), Requiem (a plant extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides), BugOil (a mixture of four plant essential oils), and SunSpray oil (a mineral oil), to B. cockerelli adults was tested on tomato. In a no-choice test, all the insecticides had significant repellency to adults and deterred oviposition as compared with untreated controls. Of the four insecticides, the two oils showed a stronger repellency to adults and deterred oviposition more strongly than Requiem or MOI-201. In a choice test, all insecticides had significant repellency to adults and deterred oviposition compared to untreated controls. Of the four tested insecticides, <1 adults and no eggs were found on the leaves treated with SunSpray Oil, BugOil or Requiem 3 d after treatment. The repellency rates of these three insecticides were 77.2–95.4%. MOI-201 also repelled adults significantly and deterred oviposition compared to untreated controls even though it was the least effective insecticide among the four evaluated. In conclusion, all four insecticides tested showed significant repellency to B. cockerelli adults and deterred oviposition, especially the two oils. The overall repellency to potato psyllid adults can be arranged in a descending order of SunSpray oil > BugOil > Requiem > MOI-201. These insecticides could be used in integrated pest management programs targeted against the potato psyllid on solanaceous crops.

Effect of Biopesticides on Foliar Diseases and Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica) Adults in Roses (Rosaspp.), Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

This study evaluated efficacy of biopesticides for reducing foliar diseases and feeding damage from Japanese beetle adults on hybrid T rose (Rosa spp.), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica). The materials tested included household soaps with Triclosan active ingredient (Equate® and Ajax®), kaolin clay (Surround®), neem seed oil extract (Triact 70® and Neem Gold®), potassium salt of fatty acids (M-Pede®), horticultural oil (UltraFine® Sunspray oil), and bicarbonate salt (Armicarb®) applied to plants grown under greenhouse, shadehouse, and field conditions. Two fungicides, trifloxystrobin (Strobilurin) and triadimefon (Triazole), and the insecticide carbaryl were included for comparison. All materials tested were effective in controlling black spot (Marssonina rosae, anamorph Diplocarpon rosae) and powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa) of roses. Kaolin was effective in reducing disease severity of bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris) on oakleaf hydrangea and powdery mildew of crapemyrtle. Based on data from repeated trials, the biopesticides were as effective as conventional fungicides in suppressing foliar diseases. Kaolin clay was as effective as carbaryl in controlling Japanese beetle adult feeding damage on oakleaf hydrangea, roses, and crapemyrtle, but other products were not effective. Results from this study indicate kaolin clay may be an alternative product to conventional pesticides in foliar diseases and insect pest management for roses, oakleaf hydrangea, and crapemyrtle.

Repellency of a kaolin particle film, Surround, and a mineral oil, Sunspray oil, to silverleaf whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on melon in the laboratory.

Surround, a kaolin-based particle film formulation, and Sunspray oil, a mineral oil, were evaluated alone or in combination in choice and no-choice laboratory assays on melon leaves for repellency to adults of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring. In no-choice tests, the number of adults and eggs on leaves did not significantly differ among the three treatments and the water control when materials were applied to either the tipper or lower leaf surface. Significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on treated leaves compared with water when materials were applied to both leaf surfaces. Application of Surround did not affect the oviposition pattern, with 80.2-88.5% eggs oviposited on lower surface. However, whiteflies oviposited more eggs (53.1-63.8%) on the upper compared with the lower surface when Sunspray oil or Surround + Sunspray oil was applied on the lower leaf surface and both leaf surfaces. When whiteflies were allowed to choose among leaves treated with different materials on the same leaf surface(s), significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on treated leaves compared with water-treated leaves, and more adults and eggs were found on leaves when the materials were applied to tipper versus lower or both surfaces. Leaves treated with materials on both leaf surfaces had fewer whiteflies compared with leaves treated on the upper or lower surface. When whiteflies were allowed to choose among leaves treated with materials versus water-treated leaves in a 6:3 or an 8:1 ratio, significantly fewer adults and eggs were found on leaves treated with treatment materials compared with water, regardless of which leaf surface(s) were treated. No significant synergistic or additive effect was detected in Surround + Sunspray oil compared with either material used separately.

Hot water treatment and insecticidal coatings for disinfesting limes of mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae).

Hot water immersion and insecticidal coatings were tested to determine if they could be used to disinfest Persian limes, Citrus latifolia Tanaka, of the mealybug pests Planococcus citri Risso and Pseudococcus odermatti Miller & Williams. A 20-min 49 degrees C hot water immersion treatment is effective in killing mealybugs and all other arthropods tested found externally on limes, or under the calyx. No insects or mites were found to survive after the 20-min hot water treatment. In this test, 7,200 limes were treated with 1,308 insects killed and zero survivors. Treatment at 49 degrees C for 20 min did not significantly affect quality when treated fruit were compared with untreated control fruit. Four coatings were tested at a 3% rate: two petroleum-based oils (Ampol and Sunspray oil), a vegetable oil (natural oil), and a soap (Mpede). The coatings gave up to 94% kill (Ampol) of mealybugs, which is not sufficient to provide quarantine security. The coatings might be effective as a postharvest dip before shipment.

Insecticidal activity of surfactants and oils against silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) nymphs (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on collards and tomato

The insecticidal activities of four surfactants (Cide-kick, Silwet L-77, M-Pede and APSA-80), a dishwashing detergent (New Day), a mineral oil (Sunspray oil), a cotton seed oil and a vegetable oil, alone or in combination, were tested against nymphs of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring on collards and tomato. Silwet L-77 was more effective (>95% mortality) than Cide-Kick or APSA-80 at rates from 0.25–1.00 g AI litre−1 but caused severe phytotoxicity to tender tomato leaves at all but the lowest rate. New Day dish detergent at 2.0 ml litre−1 caused mortality (95%) comparable to M-Pede insecticide soap at 10-fold greater concentration. A New Day ingredient, cocamide DEA, was considerably more active than the other ingredients or the commercial mixture. Additional surfactants added to Sunspray oil increased efficacy in some treatments, but not others. Toxic responses of 2nd- and 3rd- instar whiteflies to vegetable oil and cotton seed oil at 5.0 and 10.0 ml litre−1 plus 0.4 g AI litre−1 APSA-80 ranged from 22.1 to 79.9% and 66.3–88.7% mortality, respectively. Whitefly mortality was greater on tomato than on collard in six of seven instances when differences between host plants were significant. Our results indicate that the these surfactants and oils have good potential for controlling B argentifolii. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Fungal pathogens for arthropod pest control in orchard systems: mycoinsecticidal approach for pear psylla control

This paper reviews the research on entomopathogenic fungi in orchard systems and presents research on a mycoinsecticidal approach to an important pest of pear, the pear psylla. The review identifies the host-pathogen relationships that have been examined to date, the microbial formulation and application strategies that have been used, and the results that were obtained. The mycoinsecticides used in the pear psylla research were based on conidia of Beauveria bassiana (ARSEF #2860) and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (ARSEF #2658). These were formulated into sprayable solutions containing water, 0.1% or 0.5% Ultrafine Sunspray oil (paraffinic oil) in water, or 0.1% acrylic polymer (StressguardTM) in water. Final spray solutions that contained 6 × 106 conidiospores/ml were applied to psylla nymph infested trees at a rate of 5.39 × 1013 conidiospores/ha during the 1993--1995 seasons. In addition, two commercial formulations of B. bassiana, GHA from Mycotech and Naturalis L from Fermone Corp., were mixed in water at the same conidiospore application rates as the other fungal isolates. Single applications of the ARSEF fungal strain/formulation combinations produced psylla nymphal mortalities that ranged from 18.2--37.1%, but the results varied with formulation. Conidia formulated with acrylic polymers in water caused significantly higher mortalities several days earlier than either the water or water and oil combination in 1993. However, no significant differences among pathogen/formulation combinations occurred in 1994 or 1995. The performance of Naturalis L was comparable to the ARSEF fungal strain/formulation combinations with peak nymphal mortalities of 34.1%, while GHA produced a significantly lower peak mortality of only 10.8%. However, because of the low conidiospore concentrations in the Naturalis L formulation, final spray solutions contained nearly 25% of the oil-like carrier. Thus, psylla mortalities may not have been entirely attributed to mycosis. Based on the results from the ARSEF fungal formulations, a mycoinsecticidal approach to pear psylla management could be a useful component in an integrated pest management program for pear.

Soybean Oil Used as an Alternative Pesticide on Nursery Stock

Research was conducted to determine if soybean oil sprays may substitute for petroleum oil for control of insects on nursery crops. Dormant field-grown `Globe' arborvitae shrubs infested with Fletcher scale were sprayed on 9 Mar. 1997 with 0%, 2%, 3%, or 4% soybean oil. One hundred scales per plant were evaluated on 4 Apr. 1997. Spraying 2% to 4% soybean oil on dormant arborvitae caused ≥97% mortality of Fletcher scale compared to only 7% mortality on untreated plants. of white pine, viburnum, `Anthony Waterer' spirea, `Green Beauty' boxwood, western red cedar, `Blue Star' juniper, `Blue Pacific' juniper, `Japanese Garden' juniper, and arborvitae plants in trade gallon pots and `Densiformus' yew and dwarf `Alberta' spruce in trade quart pots were sprayed with 0% (water control), 1%, or 2% soybean oil (emulsified with Latron B-1956) or 2% SunSpray Ultra-Fine Spray oil on 26 Aug. 1997 for phytotoxicity evaluation. No phytotoxicity occurred on western cedar, spirea, boxwood, yew, arborvitae, or viburnum. Spraying Sunspray or soybean oil caused initial loss of blue color on blue junipers and white pine. Spraying 1 or 2% soybean oil or 2% SunSpray caused phytotoxicity to `Blue Star' juniper. The `Blue Pacific' juniper, `Japanese Garden' juniper, and Alberta spruce were slightly damaged by 2% but not by 1% soybean oil.

Toxicity of Biorational Insecticides to Bemisia argentifolii (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on Tomato Leaves

Bioassays were conducted to test the toxicity of insecticide leaf residue to adults, and contact toxicity to eggs and nymphs of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring. Four insecticides were tested: insecticidal soap (Sunspray oil), mineral oil (M-Pede), extract of Nicotiana gossei Domin (a detergent-like acylsugar), and bifenthrin (a pyrethroid). Purified tap water was used as a control. Bioassays of adults were conducted by dipping whitefly-free tomato leaves into serial dilutions of the insecticides, air-drying for prescribed periods, and exposing adults to leaves in large cup cages for 24 h. Residues of Sunspray oil caused greatest mortality to adults for up to 5 d after treatment, and the LC.50 of 24 h residue to adults was 0.029%. Two-hour leaf residues of bifenthrin at the field rate (0.06 g [AI]/liter) or higher (0.12-0.24 g [AI]/liter) gave >68% mortality of adults, but efficacy was reduced with residues of 24 h (LC50 = 0.034 g [AI]/liter) or older. Dried residues of insecticidal soap and N. gossei extract were not effective on adults. Contact bioassays were also conducted on tomato leaves infested with uniform cohorts of eggs or nymphs. Response patterns to insecticides were similar among developmental stages of the whitefly, with young nymphs being the most susceptible, followed by older nymphs and eggs. LC50s of Sunspray oil to young and old nymphs were 0.032 and 0.088%, and of bifenthrin were 0.001 and 0.106 g (AI)/liter, respectively. Insecticidal soap and N. gossei extract were all effective on young nymphs, even at very low rates (LC50, 0.15% and 0.08 g [AI]/liter, respectively), but had no significant effect on eggs. N. gossei extract was effective on older nymphs at low rates (LC50 = 0.14 g [AI]/liter), whereas insecticidal soap was not (LC50 = 0.51%).

Toxicity and repellency of some biorational insecticides to Bemisia argentifolii on tomato plants

AbstractA mineral oil, an insecticidal soap, and a plant‐derived surfactant were compared with a broad‐spectrum pyrethroid for residual toxicity and repellency to silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows &amp; Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum Miller, cv. Lanai) under greenhouse and laboratory conditions. The materials tested were: Sunspray oil (a mineral oil), M‐Pede (an insecticidal soap), Nicotiana gossei extract (a sucrose ester surfactant), Garlic Barrier (repellency only), and the pyrethroid bifenthrin (Brigade 10WP), with water as a control. For toxicity studies, whiteflies were confined on leaves which had been dipped in solutions of 0.5 ×, 1 × and 2 × field rate concentrations. Insecticide residues were compared when the leaves were wet and dry. Adult mortalities were greatest with bifenthrin and Sunspray oil, followed by M‐Pede, N. gossei extract and water. Mortality from dry residue of lower rates of bifenthrin and Sunspray oil was greater than mortality from wet residues, whereas M‐Pede lost all activity upon drying. Dual and multiple choice tests for repellency were carried out in the greenhouse or laboratory by spraying plants or individual leaves to runoff with 1 × field concentrations. Bifenthrin and Sunspray oil repelled B. argentifolii adults for up to 7 and 5 days, respectively, followed by M‐Pede and extract of N. gossei, whereas Garlic Barrier was not significantly different from the water control in all tests. Numbers of whitefly eggs were significantly reduced on bifenthrin and Sunspray oil‐treated leaves, whereas egg numbers in other treatments were not different from water. Sunspray oil as a dip proved to be at least as effective as the synthetic pyrethroid for whitefly control. A multiple‐choice leaf‐wheel proved to be a useful device to quickly evaluate repellent effects of several different insecticides to whitefly.

Lepidopterous Larvae Control on Collards, 1990

Abstract Collards were transplanted Mar, 1990, near Greenville, NC, using a row spacing of 42 inches. Single row plots, 20 ft long were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Alleys of 5 ft were used between replicates. Treatments were applied with a C02 pressurized backpack sprayer using a single hollow cone nozzle (18 X). Application rate was 80 gal/acre delivered at 60 psi, and Triton AG-98 or B-1956 spreader-sticker was used with all treatments. Applications were made 19, 28 Sep, 5, 15, 19, 30 Oct, and 6 Nov. Visual estimates of foliar damage and/or insect counts on 3 plants per plot were made before spraying on 28 Sep, 5, 15, 19, 30 Oct, 1, 6, and 14 Nov. All plots were inadvertently oversprayed by the grower with MVP (2 qt/acre) + SunSpray Oil (1 qt/acre) 23 and 28 Oct.

Deposition and Retention of Chlorothalonil Applied to Peanut Foliage: Effects of Application Methods, Fungicide Formulations and Oil Additives1

Abstract Deposition and retention of chlorothalonil (CTL) on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) foliage was evaluated by surface-stripping leaf discs with toluene and determining the CTL concentration via gas chromatography. CTL was applied at 1.25 kg/ha via ground sprays, a center pivot-mounted underslung boom, or chemigation in 0.12, 1.7, or 17.8 kL of water/ha, respectively. Ground sprays resulted in the highest concentrations of CTL on peanut leaves followed by the underslung boom and chemigation, respectively. Residue levels were lower with the higher volume applications but were more uniformly distributed throughout the plant canopy. Deposition of chemigated CTL applied as Bravo 500(R), Bravo 720(R), or Bravo 720(R) plus either an emulsifiable vegetable oil (SoyOil 937(R) or a nonemulsifiable petroleum oil (UN Sunspray oil(R)) was also evaluated. Results of residue sampling at 0, 5, 9 and 14 days after treatment indicated that addition of either oil to Bravo 720(R) resulted in the highest initial deposition of fungicide followed by Bravo 500(R) and Bravo 720(R) alone, respectively. However, the half-life of CTL applied as Bravo 720(R) plus either oil was reduced as compared to the half-life for either Bravo 720(R) alone or Bravo 500(R). By day 14, concentrations of CTL had decreased by more than 93% in all treatments. The mean half-life of CTL for all treatments was 3.8, 4.8 and 4.8 days in the top, middle and bottom canopy layers, respectively.

Twospotted Spider Mite Control on Marigolds, 1989

Abstract Four trials carried out at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE to evaluate the efficacy of selected insecticides/miticides, an insecticidal soap (Safer Insecticide Concentrate), a horticultural spray oil (SunSpray Ultra-Fine Spray Oil) and various combinations of these products for control of twospotted spider mites on marigolds. Treatments included Safer Concentrate and SunSpray Oil combined with 0.5 and 0.125 the labeled rates of Dursban 4 E or Orthene 75 SP. Plot design for all trials was a RCB with 4 replicates. Each trial consisted of four, 10-ft rows (replications) of a single marigold cultivar planted on 36-inch centers. Individual plots, which consisted of 2-3 marigold plants, were delineated by placing 2 × 2 ft sheets of waxed cardboard within rows at approximately 2-ft intervals. Marigold cultivars were Queens Mix, Scarlet Sophia, Crackerjack and Jamie Gold for trials 1-4, respectively. Treatments were applied on 8 Aug. Conditions at the time of application were as follows: air temperature, 76°F; relative humidity, 46%; soil moisture was well below field capacity. Treatments were applied with a COz sprayer using a LF-4 nozzle at 24 psi to the point of runoff (ca. 0.5 pts finished spray per plot). No rain fell during the post-treatment period. Product efficacy was evaluated 3 and 7 DAT by randomly selecting and excising 4 leaves each from the lower, middle and upper portion of plants in each plot (12 leaves total). Leaves were returned to the laboratory where numbers of adult female mites were recorded. Trial 1 (Queens Mix): All insecticides/miticides provided statistically significant reductions in mite numbers at both 3 and 7 DAT. Overall, mite reductions were relatively low with only Tempo 2 at 3 DAT (81.3%) and Morestan 4 F at 7 DAT (90.8%), providing percent mite reductions of greater than 80%. Trial 2 (Scarlet Sophia): Safer Insecticide Concentrate, Dursban 4 E and all combinations of Safer Insecticide Concentrate plus Dursban 4 E provided significant reductions in spider mite numbers at 3 DAT. By 7 DAT, however, only Safer Insecticide Concentrate and Safer Insecticide Concentrate plus Dursban 4 E at 1.0 fl oz continued to provide significant mite reductions. Overall, percent reductions were less than 50% except for Safer Insecticide Concentrate plus Dursban 4 E at 4.0 fl oz, which provided 52.2% at 3 DAT. Trial 3 (Crackerjack): At 3 DAT, only 2% SunSpray Ultra-Fine Spray Oil plus Dursban 4 E at 4.0 fl oz had provided a significant reduction in spider mite numbers. By 7 DAT, however, there were no significant differences among treatments. Spider mite control was poor for all treatments with only the 2% SunSpray oil plus Dursban 4 E at 4.0 fl oz providing greater than 70% reduction. Trial 4 (Jamie Gold): Two percent SunSpray Ultra-Fine Spray Oil plus Orthene 75 SP at 5.25 fl oz and 2% SunSpray were the only treatments to provide significant reductions in spider mite numbers at 3 and 7 DAT, respectively. Percent mite reductions were relatively low for all treatments, with only the 2% SunSpray oil plus Orthene 75 SP at 5.25 fl oz at 7 DAT exceeding 70%. No phytotoxicity was observed in any of the trials.

Chemical control of tree growth of plum(.Prunus domesticaL.) II. Comparisons between foliar and soil treatments and different dose rates of paclobutrazol on growth and cropping of three cultivars

Sprays of paclobutrazol, when applied to the soil beneath European plum trees prior to bud break in early spring significantly reduced mean extension shoot length. Foliar sprays applied later, in late May and mid-June, had similar effects. Proportionally, effects were greatest on the vigorous cvs Opal and Cambridge Gage, and less on River’s Early Prolific, which has a more compact habit. In the season of treatment, growth inhibition was apparent earlier on the soil-treated trees and was slightly more pronounced than that produced by foliar sprays. Addition of a spray additive, Sunspray oil, to the foliar sprays gave no significant benefit. Extension shoot lengths were severely reduced in the year following a single paclobutrazol treatment to ‘Cambridge Gage’ and ‘River’s Early Prolific’, whilst residual effects on ‘Opal’ shoot growth were, in contrast, minimal. In the third and fourth seasons following treatment no residual effects on shoot growth were recorded and the trees grew at rates similar to, or s...

Insect Control, Hudson Valley Lab, Highland, NY, 1989

Abstract Treatments were applied to 8 tree plots replicated 3 times in a randomized complete block design. All treatments were applied dilute to runoff using a high-pressure handgun sprayer at 400 psi delivering from 2.7 to 4.2 gal spray/tree or 262 to 407 gal/acre, depending upon foliage present and weather conditions. Trees were 25 yr-old, 10 ft high, spaced 15 by 30 ft, and on the EMU rootstock. The EXP-60145A treatments were all tested in a seasonal program with sprays applied at pink, 4 May, petal fall, 22 May, and in cover sparys on 7 Jun, 22 Jun, 7 Jul, 24 Jul, 8 Aug, and 24 Aug. DB-8518829 was applied 4 May, 22 Jun, and 8 Aug, while Imidan was applied at 24.0 oz/100 gal on 22 May and 7 Jun, and 16.0 oz/100 gal on 7 Jul, 24 Jul, and 24 Aug. Danitol was applied 4 May, 22 May, 7 Jul, and 8 Aug, with Guthion applied in the remaining cover sprays. Orthene was applied 4 May and 8 Jun with Guthion applied in the remaining sprays. Additional treatments included; Morestan applied 4 May along with Guthion and followed by Guthion in all succeeding sprays; Andalin 2.1 L applied at the 4 and 8 oz/100 gal rates on 22 Jun with Guthion in all other sprays starting at 22 May; Andalin 1 L at 8 oz on 22 Jun followed by Andalin 2 L 8 oz/100 gal on 24 Jul, with Guthion in other cover sprays; and Safer Insecticidal Concentrate plus Sunspray oil 6 E + applied 22 May, 8 Jun, and 7 Jul. Applications over the entire block primarily for disease control included: Agway Spray oil 6 E 1 gal/100 plus Supracide 2 E 1 qt/100 gal plus Difolatan 80 S 5 lb/100 gal, 11 Apr; Rubigan 1 EC 3.0 oz/acre plus Dithane M45 80 W 1.5 lb/acre, 4 May and 14 May; Rubigan 1 EC 9 oz/acre plus Dithane M45 80 W 6 lb/acre, 24 May and 1 Jun; Nova 60 W 2 oz/acre; 8 Jun; Polyram 80 DF 4 lb/acre, 23 Jun; Manzate 200 80 DF 4 lb/acre; 15 Jul; and Benlate 50 W 6 oz/acre plus Captan 50 W 6 lb/acre, 17 Aug. Naphthaleneacetic acid (Klingtite formulation) was applied in thinning sprays on 25 May using from 42 to 96 ml/100 gal, depending upon the cultivar and apparent fruit set. European apple sawfly and plum curculio were evaluated prior to “Jun drop” by examining all of the fruits in 50 fruiting clusters on one Greening' tree/plot on 5 Jun. Apple aphid and/or spirea aphids were evaluated by examining 25 terminals for the presence of live aphid colonies on one 'McIntosh' tree/plot on 2 Jun and 10 Jun. Rosy apple aphids were evaluated in a similar manner on 2 Jun using 'Cortland' as the cultivar. Spotted tentiform leafminer was evaluated 19 Jun by counting the number of mines on 25 'McIntosh' leaves/plot. White apple leafhopper was evaluated by counting the number of nymphs on 25 'Empire' leaves/plot on 14 Jun. Insect damage to the fruit was assessed at harvest by examining 100 fruits/cultivar/plot from 'Jersey Mac', 4 Aug; 'McIntosh', 18 Sep; and 'Golden Delicious', 26 Sep. 'Golden Delicious' fruit finish was evaluated using a russet rating from 1 (best finish) to 3 (worst finish). Temperatures were generally cooler than normal due to the continually overcast conditions found during much of the summer. An extended bloom period resulted in greater than normal insect pressure especially from European apple sawfly and plum curculio. Rainfall was above normal during May, Jun and Aug.

MORTALITY OF TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH (ACARI: TETRANYCHIDAE) FROM ABAMECTIN RESIDUES: EFFECTS OF HOST PLANT, LIGHT, AND SURFACTANTS

Residues of abamectin (avermectin, Avid), 15 ppm; abamectin + Leaf Act 80, 15 + 25 ppm; abamectin + Sunspray oil, 15 + 25 ppm, and a water control were evaluated for length of control of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, on 3 host species: azalea, Rhododendron × ‘Red Ruffle’; lima bean, Phaseolus limensis var. limenus L. H. Bailey cv. ‘Henderson’ bush; and peach, Prunus persica L. Batsch cv. ‘Nemaguard’; and under sunlight and fluorescent light regimes. Abamectin alone or in combination with the surfactants, 21 days post treatment, resulted in 42.6 – 91.8% and 88 – 93% mite mortality under sunlight and fluorescent light, respectively. No treatments on azalea or peach under sunlight caused &amp;gt; 37% mortality. Treatments caused similar mite mortality 1 day posttreatment under fluorescent light, but after day 1 treatments on peach caused &amp;lt; 62 % mortality while treatments on azalea caused &amp;lt; 46% mortality. The addition of oil increased mite mortality significantly on beans under sunlight at 14 days. At 21 days both Leaf Act 80 and oil increased mite mortality on bean compared to abamectin alone.

Laboratory Evaluation of Selected Chemicals as Antidesiccants for the Protection of the Entomogenous Nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditidae: Steinernematidae), Against Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The entomogenous nematode Steinernema feltiae is very sensitive to drying, which limits its usefulnessas an effective biological control agent. In the laboratory, materials were not only evaluated on their ability to retard evaporation, but on their biological activities against the host insect, Lymantria dispar (L.), as well as the nematode, S. feltiae Filipjev. Eighty-eight materials were tested for their ability to retard evaporation during a 19-h drying period. Sixty-seven materials were no more effective than water, while 21 materials were effective in retarding evaporation. Base oil, folicote, and sag 470 (at 1–10%); foam fighter F, glycerol, and klearol (at 2.5–10%); 2251 oil (at 5–10%); and several oils (at 10%) were effective antievaporants. While some of the materials were nontoxic to L. dispar larvae (folicote, sag 470, and glycerol), some showed moderate toxicity (mineral oil, Sunspray oil, and orchex Exxon), and others were extremely toxic (pyronyl oil and Savol oil). Under severe drying conditions, some of the materials had an adverse effect upon S. feltiae infective nemas (klearol, base oil, orchex Exxon, and orchex 796W); upon nema-progeny production (foam fighter F); or upon the host, the nema, and hema-progeny production (base oil and orchex 796W). In some cases, however, nema-progeny production was unaffected despite some (mineral oil) or high (klearol and orchex Exxon) host (=insect) mortality. Only folicote and, to a lesser extent, mineral oil appeared to have little adverse effect upon the host as well as the nematode parasite.

Apple, Pest Control, 1983

Abstract Four insecticides were evaluated against SJS crawlers in an orchard at Troutville, Va. Four single-tree replicates per treatment were used in a completely randomized design. Sprays were applied on 7 Jun. and 16 Jul.; the first application was made 1 day after first SJS crawler appearance. Applications were made with a truck-mounted Swanson sprayer with a handgun attachment. Avermectin (MK-936) also included 0.25% Sunspray oil. Scale populations were assessed by counting scale-infested fruit after crawlers had settled (18 Jul.) and again on 9 Sep. Fifty fruit per tree were evaluated. Mite populations were sampled on 1 Jul., using 20-leaf samples and a leaf-brushing machine.