Comparative Efficacy of Common Active Ingredients in Organic Insecticides Against Difficult to Control Insect Pests

Abstract

There exists a lack of control efficacy information to enable decision-making about which organic insecticide product works best for a given insect pest. Here, we summarize results of 153 field trials on the control efficacy of common active ingredients in organic insecticides against 12 groups of the most difficult to control insect pests. These trials evaluated primarily the organic products Entrust (spinosad), Azera (pyrethrin and azadirachtin), PyGanic (pyrethrin) and Neemix (azadirachtin), which reduced pest infestations by an overall 73.9%, 61.7%, 48.6% and 46.1% respectively, averaged across all trials. Entrust was the most effective control option for many insect pests, particularly providing >75% control of flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, cabbageworms and alfalfa weevil, but was relatively ineffective against true bugs and aphids. Azera provided >75% control of green peach aphid, flea beetles, Japanese beetle, Mexican bean beetle, potato leafhopper and cabbageworms. PyGanic was less effective than Entrust and Azera but still provided >75% control of green peach aphid, flea beetles and potato leafhopper. The growth inhibition effects of azadirachtin in Neemix were particularly effective against larvae of Mexican bean beetle and Colorado potato beetle but was generally less effective in trials with insect infestations consisting mainly of adult stages. Those insect pests that were particularly difficult to control included thrips, stinkbugs, cucumber beetles and fruitworms. Several caveats pertaining to the application of the results are discussed.

Effects of intercropping marigold, cowpea and an insecticidal soap on whiteflies and aphids in organic squash

“…M‐Pede also provided the most reliable suppression of aphids, which concurs with Dively et al (2020), where M‐Pede reduced green peach aphids by 42% in greenhouse settings. The mechanism involves desiccating the insect cuticle, obstructing spiracles and causing asphyxia (Henn & Weinzierl, 1989).…”

Status and Prospects of Botanical Biopesticides in Europe and Mediterranean Countries

“…Moreover, growth regulatory (IGR) effects due to azadirchatin can result in growth reduction, mortality increase, sterility, abnormal/delayed moults, and interference with cellular and metabolic processes (such as protein and hormone synthesis) [ 40 , 83 , 84 ]. In contrast to other botanical insecticides as well as to synthetic chemical insecticides, azadirachtin seems to act as a plant stimulant, which can lead to higher (crop) yields [ 85 ].…”

Fabrication of Carum copticum essential oil–loaded chitosan nanoparticles and evaluation its insecticidal activity for controlling Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium confusum

“…Therefore, investigating the appropriate, safe, and economical methods, such as botanical insecticides, can be effective in the management of insects (Hikal et al, 2017;Ahmed et al, 2021). Botanical insecticides, namely, pyrethrum, neem, and insecticides based on plant essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts are commercially produced and entered the marketplace (Isman, 2006;Rharrabe et al, 2008;Adarkwah et al, 2010;Dively et al, 2020;Moldovan et al, 2020). Among botanical insecticides, plant EOs have advantages such as low toxicity on mammals, fast degradability, and local availability (Isman, 2004).…”