Efficacy of ultra-low volume aerial application of an azadirachtin-based insecticide for control of the pine false webworm, Acantholyda erythrocephala (L.) (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), in Ontario, Canada

• Published in: International journal of pest management 2003-01, Vol.49 (1), p.1-8
• Main Authors: Lyons, D.B, Helson, B.V, Thompson, D.G, Jones, G.C, McFarlane, J.W, Robinson, A.G, Mickle, R.E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: application timing; Bioassay; Biological and medical sciences; Control; Defoliation; forest plantations; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; insect control; Integrated pest control; low volume spraying; Neem; neem seed extract; pesticide application; Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection; Pinus resinosa; population density; Population Reduction; Protozoa. Invertebrates; sawflies; spray deposition; Ultra-low Volume Spray
• ISSN: 0967-0874; 1366-5863
• DOI: 10.1080/713867832

The efficacy of an aerial application at ultra-low volume of a 3% azadirachtin-based insecticide (Fortune AZA 3%) at a nominal application rate of 50 g azadirachtin ha −1 was evaluated for control of pine false webworm, Acantholyda erythrocephala (L.). Applications were made to three separate blocks in red pine plantations in south-central Ontario. Population indices of pine false webworm were compared between the treated blocks and three untreated blocks. Spray application was timed to coincide with the preponderance of egg hatch. Numbers of insects declined in all blocks between the adult emergence period and the subsequent larval generation, but decline in treated blocks was significantly greater. Reductions of arboreal stages (70-90% vs 5-50 %), frass drop estimates (0.10-0.13 vs 1.16-2.65 g/m 2 d −1 ) and defoliation (10.5-15.5% vs 35-92.9%) all indicated significant differences in pine false webworm populations in treated as compared to untreated blocks. Mean deposits of azadirachtin A ranging from 0.44 to 1.47 wg g −1 in the canopy were well in excess of the 0.29 wg g −1 levels producing 91% mortality in laboratory bioassays. Azadirachtin-based insecticides provided good control of pine false webworm larvae in semi-mature and mature red pine plantations and would be suitable for use in an integrated control program for this insect.