INSECTICIDE UPDATE 2006 Alex Latchininsky and Scott Schell

INSECTICIDE UPDATE 2006 Alex Latchininsky and Scott Schell UW Extension Entomologists WY Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification School, Casper, 1/18/06

Disclaimer • Trade or brand names used in this presentation are used only for the purpose of educational information. • No product endorsement is implied.

Safety – First! Always wear protective gear when applying pesticides

Insecticide Product Labels • Learn to read the small print. • Look for the ACTIVE INGREDIENT, NOT the brand name. • One and the same active ingredient can be commercialized under multiple brand names. • Insecticide label is THE LAW, always follow its instructions.

Bye-bye, “good” old OPs

Organophosphate insecticides are being phased out Chlorpyrifos (Dursban) – Sales stopped in December 2001 Diazinon – Completely withdrawn from stores in December 2004 Malathion – Under re-registration Orthene (Acephate) – limited availability

Organophosphates Insecticides of this chemical class were developed in the 1940 s-50 s from German nerve gases. Broad-spectrum poisons that inhibit cholinesterase. Hazardous for many groups of non-target organisms (honey bees, birds, fish…) Some, like ethyl parathion, are very hazardous to mammals.

Diazinon was introduced in 1952. Cheap, can use it on almost everything for anything. Along with related OP insecticides it was produced and sold by the millions of pounds per year in US. A lot of sources of exposure for people.

Diazinon failed to comply with FQPA Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 requires re-registration of all pesticides Human Exposure, via dietary and non-dietary sources are included in a “risk cup” “The cup holds the total amount (100%) of a given pesticide that a person could be exposed to every day, for 70 years, without additional health risks. ”

Most Common Diazinon Replacements Synthetic Pyrethroids Allethrin (1 st generation – 1949 s) Resmethrin (2 nd generation – 1960 s) Permethrin (3 rd generation – 1970 s) Esfenvalerate (3 rd generation) Deltamethrin (4 th generation – 1980 s) Cyfluthrin (Newest 4 th generation - 1998)

Synthetic Pyrethroids Chemical analogs of the toxic substance present in the Pyrethrum plant (Aster family). Fast knock-down, low persistence (4 -7 d on foliage). Fast break-down in soil and water. Broad-spectrum (Na+ channel blockers in CNS). Generally, less hazardous for mammals. Still highly hazardous for honey bees.

Organophosphates vs. Pyrethroids: non-target hazards Mammals Honey Bees Birds Fish Organophosphates *Diazinon H *Chlorpyrifos H *Methyl Parathion VH Malathion L Orthene M VH VH H M H VH VH M L Pyrethroids Permethrin Esfenvalerate Cyfluthrin Resmethrin VH H L L VH VH H H L M

Is Sevin® (Carbaryl) a good Diazinon replacement? Many carbaryl products are available for insect control: Sevin Lawn granules® Sevin Dust (Eliminator®) Sevin Bug Killer® Sevin Ant Bait® Sevin XLR Plus® Same mode of action as OP. Re-registration changes? Non-target hazards Diazinon Carbaryl Mammals H M/H Honey Bees Birds Fish VH VH M L

Insect pest control products st for the 21 century

BIORATIONAL INSECTICIDES: WHAT ARE THEY? No single, clear definition. EPA identifies biorational pesticides as having “fundamentally different modes of action” and “lower risks of adverse effects” than conventional (i. e. neurotoxin) pesticides.

Types of Biorational Pesticides • Insect Growth Regulators (IGR) • Juvenile Hormone Analogs • Precocenes • Chitin Synthesis Inhibitors – Low toxicity for birds, mammals, reptiles but effects non-target arthropods and insects. – Only immature pests are killed. IGR can also effect arthropod eggs and embryogenesis.

Diflubenzuron (Dimilin® 2 L) Benzoyl-Urea; IGR (chitin synthesis inhibitor) PROS: Safety (bees, people, etc. ) Residual (strips) Reliable results Temperature range $230 CONS: Timing!!! (IGR = nymphs) Less familiar (since ‘ 97) High cost/unit Harm to aquatic invertebrates – R. U. P.

Unsuccessful molt after Dimilin application Normal molt Insects are killed when they grow to a next developmental stage

TIMING V ineffective is critical when applying Dimilin not recommended IV III II I recommended

Pyriproxyfen (Knack®) sub-lethal effects Treated Untreated

Other Types of Biorational Pesticides • Botanicals • Natural toxicants like nicotine • Neem (azadirachtin is less toxic but still useful in greenhouses, UV light breaks it down)

Other Types of Biorational Pesticides • Bacterial Fermentation Products Spinosad (has certified organic formulations) Avermectin

SPINOSAD Spinosad– a toxin mixture produced from fermentation of a soil bacterium, Saccharopolyspora spinosa Disrupts binding of acetylcholine receptors Brand names: Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm, Leafminer & Tent Caterpillar Spray®; Intruder®; Success® Rapid contact and ingestion activity

Other Types of Biorational Pesticides • Microbials • Bacteria (Bt varieties mostly) • Fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) • Viruses • Nematodes • Genetically modified plants (produce Bt toxins) – High selectivity – Low toxicity for non-target animals – Sensitive to environmental conditions, many have failed commercially

Fungal pathogens

White Satin Moth in Wyoming

Damage Pupa

Biological control with Bt Pros: Safe for humans and non-target organisms selective repeated applications possible Cons: May be slow Needs UV protection One week persistence Limited shelf-life May cause resistance if applied frequently PRODUCT: Foray® 48 B – flowable concentrate (Valent Bio. Sciences) Dose rate: 16 -43 oz. /acre Can be mixed with chemical insecticides

Other Types of Biorational Pesticides • Neonicotinoids - related to nicotine and acts on the acetylcholine receptors – Imidacloprid most used worldwide – Clothinidin – Thiamethoxam – Acetamiprid – Dinotefuran* armored scales Safari®

Systemics for control of insect pests of trees and shrubs

IMIDACLOPRID Trade names Confidor Merit Admire Gaucho Marathon Premier Premise Provado Grub-ex Imicide Bayer Advanced Garden Tree and Shrub Insect Control

IMIDACLOPRID Is it safe for non-target organisms? • Moderate to low mammalian toxicity • Toxic to game birds But: birds learn to avoid it; may be used as bird repellent seed treatment • Moderately toxic to fish • Highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates • Highly toxic to honey bees if used as a foliar spray; not a hazard if used as a seed treatment

IMIDACLOPRID Very effective against pests with piercing-sucking mouthparts (aphids, soft scales, etc. ) Easy to use: mix with water and pour at tree base Dose rate: 1 oz/inch of tree circumference or 3 oz/ft of shrub height 32 oz. - $18 -$32 Timing: apply in the fall for a year-long control

IMIDACLOPRID Problems • May be phytotoxic – do not overdose! • May NOT work against armored scale insects or mites • Another neonicotinoid product - Safari® - works! • Documented cases of resistance (Colorado potato beetle, whiteflies in greenhouses) • Mobile in soil – potential water contaminant • Extreme care is needed to protect honey bees

Other new products?

FIPRONIL Combat® (cockroach and ant control) Regent® (agricultural pests) Frontline® (pet pests) Blocks GABA chloride channel in the insect CNS Both contact and stomach action, long residual Very effective at extremely low dose rates; insect trophic transfer; very low mammalian toxicity

Keeping up with changes* • Crop Data Management Systems, Inc. (they cover turf and ornamental products also) www. cdms. net • Greenbook www. greenbook. net *Also make sure your state approves of the federal label use (FIPRA). Some state labels are more strict than the federal

Quiz This guy is a Wyoming certified commercial pesticide applicator a. True b. False

Questions? Contact Alex Latchininsky or Scott Schell Phone 766 -2298 or 766 -2508 Email: latchini@uwyo. edu or sschell@uwyo. edu