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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Alfalfa

Relative Toxicities of Insecticides and Miticides Used in Alfalfa to Natural Enemies and Honey Bees

(Reviewed 11/06, updated 11/06)

In this Guideline:

Common name (trade name) Chemical class1 Mode of action2 Selectivity3 (affected groups) Predatory mites4 General predators5 Parasites5 Honey bees6 Duration of impact to natural enemies7
Bacillus thuringiensis spp. aizawai M 11.B1 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
Bacillus thuringiensis spp. kurstaki M 11.B2 narrow (caterpillars) L L L IV short
carbaryl (Sevin) C 1A broad (insects, mites) L/H H H I long
carbofuran (Furadan) C 1A broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate
chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) OP 1B broad (insects, mites) M H H I moderate
cyfluthrin (Baythroid, Renounce) P 3 broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate
dimethoate OP 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H I long
indoxacarb (Steward) OX 22 narrow (caterpillars, lygus) — L L I moderate
lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) P 3 broad (plant bugs, beetles, caterpillars) H H H I moderate
malathion OP 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H II moderate
methomyl (Lannate) C 1A broad (insects, mites) H H H III moderate
neem oil (Trilogy) B — broad (soft-bodied insects) L L L III short
permethrin (Pounce, Ambush) P 3 broad (insects, mites) L H H I long
phosmet (Imidan) OP 1B broad (insects, mites) H H H I moderate to long
zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) P 3 broad (insects, mites) H M M I moderate

H = high M = moderate L = low — = no information

1  Chemical class: C = carbamate; M = microbial; OP = organophosphate; OX = oxadiazine; P = pyrethroid
2 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.
3 Selectivity: broad means it affects most groups of insects and mites; narrow means it affects only a few specific groups.
4 Generally, toxicities are to western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis. Where differences have been measured in toxicity of the pesticide-resistant strain versus the native strain, these are listed as pesticide-resistant strain/native strain.
5 Toxicities are averages of reported effects and should be used only as a general guide. Actual toxicity of a specific chemical depends on the species of predator or parasite, environmental conditions, and application rate.
6 Ratings are as follows: I = Do not apply to blooming plants; II = Apply only during late evening; III = Apply only during late evening, night, or early morning; and IV = Apply at any time with reasonable safety to bees. For more information, see How to Reduce Bee Poisoning From Pesticides, Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW518.
7 Duration: short means hours to days; moderate means days to 2 weeks; and long means many weeks or months.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa
UC ANR Publication 3430
General Information
Acknowledgments: This table was compiled based on research data and experience of University of California scientists working on a variety of crops.

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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