Toxicity of biopesticides to green apple aphid, predatory insects and mite in an apple-tree orchard.

Abstract

The investigations were carried out in 2005–2006 at the Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture. A two-year trial examined the toxicity of biopesticides BioNature R2000 (a.i. Azadirachta indica 210 g l -1 , Pinus resinosa 180 g l -1 and Ricinus communis), Bioshower (a.i. 100% fatty acids) and Insecticidal Soap (a.i. 20% fatty acids) to two species of predatory insects (Chrysopa perla L., Coccinella septempunctata L.) and predatory mite (Amblyseius andersoni Chant) in an apple-tree orchard. All tested products showed no toxicity to larvae of C. perla. BioNature R2000 was slightly or moderately toxic to larvae of C. septempunctata, meanwhile Bioshower and Insecticidal Soap had no toxicity to this predatory insect. Bioshower and Insecticidal Soap were moderately or very toxic to A. andersoni, but BioNature R2000 was only slightly toxic. Biopesticides BioNature R2000, Bioshower and Insecticidal Soap are allowed for use in organic farming in many countries and could be safely applied to control aphids.