Chemical Alternatives to Malathion for Controlling <I>Ceratitis capitata</I> (Diptera: Tephritidae), and Their Side Effects on Natural Enemies in Spanish Citrus Orchards

Abstract

The Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is one of the most important fruit pests worldwide. Mediterranean fruit fly control in Spain has been based on organophosphate sprays, especially malathion, mixed with protein baits. However, this insecticide has recently been excluded from annex 1 of the Directive 91/414 CEE, which lists authorized active ingredients for pest control in the European Union. This article reports on the efficacy of four alternative baited insecticides on Mediterranean fruit fly and their side effects on three natural enemies [Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mulsant), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), and Aphidius colemani (Viereck)] relevant for pest control in citrus agroecosystems. A high Mediterranean fruit fly mortality was obtained for all baited insecticides (phosmet and spinosad) except lambdacyhalothrin, which caused the lowest mortality and showed a novel disabling effect on surviving Mediterranean fruit fly adults. Spinosad proved to be the most selective bait treatment for C. montrouzieri and N. californicus, whereas for A. colemani the most selective bait was phosmet and lambda-cyhalothrin. These findings would contribute to a sustainable chemical control of C. capitata populations under an integrated pest management system in Spanish citrus orchards.

Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity of Fipronil and Imidacloprid on Psyttalia concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

“…Protein bait application techniques have been shown to be less harmful to beneficial insects, because the surface exposed is much smaller than those when cover sprays are applied (Roessler 1989, Ruiz et al 2002, Urbaneja et al 2009); therefore, the higher the possibility of avoiding the contact with the insecticide, unless the bait was very attractive to the parasitoid. In our assays, Psyttalia females were observed feeding on honey but not on bait insecticide.…”

“…Research carried out with similar methodology to that used in this work showed that toxicity depends on the insecticide as well as the evaluated species. Urbaneja et al (2009) shown that spinosad (the bait formulation Spintor Cebo) was the most selective compound to Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant and Neosiulus californicus McGregor. However, phosmet and lambdacyfialothrin, using as bait sprays, were selective to Aphidius cokmani Viereck, whereas spinosad (Spintor Cebo) was toxic.…”

“…However, phosmet and lambdacyfialothrin, using as bait sprays, were selective to Aphidius cokmani Viereck, whereas spinosad (Spintor Cebo) was toxic. However, malathion, an organophosphate with a high contact activity, was toxic for the three species (Urbaneja et al 2009). Medina et al (2004) found that C. montrouzieri and Rodolia cardinolis (Mulsant) were unaffected by spinosad bait formulated when exposed to 5 droplets of 1 ¡id each but killed by malathion.…”

“…It can be mentioned as examples the control of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), in Spain (Urbaneja et al 2009), several fruit flies in Hawaii (Vargas et al 2010), and olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin), in California (Sime et al 2006). Biological control with braconid parasitoids is one of the most environmentally friendly control strategies, but the most efficient method at present remains chemical control, which is routinely used worldwide (Liaropoulos et al 2005, Mazor 2009, Urbaneja et al 2009). Consequently, natural enemies must coexist with pesticides, and it is necessary to combine selective insecticides with natural enemies conservation.…”

Response of Female Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) to a Spinosad Bait and Polymer Matrix Mixture With Extended Residual Effect in Hawaii

“…Spinosad, an insecticidal product derived from the fermentation of the soil bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa (Mertz and Yao), has been used in fruit fly control programs in several countries (Chueca et al 2007;Piñero et al 2011;Gazit et al 2013;Manrakhan et al 2013). In addition to its high efficiency on tephritids, spinosad has low toxicity to mammals and fish, and it has been reported to exert relatively minimal effects on beneficial insects (Tomas & Mangam 2005;Ruiz et al 2008;Mangan & Moreno 2009;Urbaneja et al 2009). …”