Comparisons of ecorational and chemical insecticides against crucifer flea beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on canola

Studies were done comparing the insecticides SpinTor (spinosad), BotaniGard (Beauveria bassiana), Neemix (azadirachtin), and Surround (kaolin, a clay) with conventional chemical insecticides Capture (bifenthrin) and Helix XTra (thiamethoxam), all applied at seven rates in a 7-d assay to assess their impact on adult crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Lethal time (LT) required for 25, 50, and 75% mortality (LT25, LT50, and LT75) and relative potencies for the insecticide concentration groupings (0, 1X-1.5X, and 2X-4X) were estimated for each treatment by using survival functions. P. cruciferae mortality increased in response to increasing concentrations, especially for Helix XTra, Capture and SpinTor. After 2 d of exposure in 2002, mortality ranged from 54 to 78% for Helix XTra, from 60 to 94% for Capture, and from 66 to 92% for SpinTor across concentrations. In 2003, flea beetle mortality ranged from 37 to 60%, from 29 to 63%, and from 23 to 52% on exposure to Helix XTra, Capture, and SpinTor, respectively, for 2 d. The LT50 and relative potencies of the insecticides were in the order of Helix XTra, Capture, and SpinTor > BotaniGard, Neemix, and Surround. In 2002, LT50 values were 1 and 2 d for Capture and SpinTor, 2 d for BotaniGard, and 3 d for Neemix and Surround. In 2003, LT50 values occurred between 2 and 4 d after exposure to Helix XTra, Capture, and SpinTor, with LT50 values of 5-7 d on exposure to BotaniGard, Neemix, and Surround. SpinTor seems to be a suitable ecorational insecticide in canola, Brassica napus L., P. cruciferae management.