Evaluation of organically-acceptable pesticides against the green peach aphid(Myzus persicae)

摘要

Organically-acceptable insecticides were field-tested against the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). An initial trial tested 11 products using single nectarine trees as plots. The four most promising treatments were then applied to larger plots by an air-blast sprayer in early November. Pyrethrum mixed with mineral oil was the most effective aphicide, reducing aphid populations from >20/shoot, to 0 and <5/shoot in the small and large plot trials respectively. Mineral oil along and the fungus Beauveria bassiana had some effect in the small plods but not in the larger ones. Pyrethrum should be used only against severe infestations of M. persicae, until it is shown to be non-disruptive to biological control. Mineral oil was less likely to cause side effects, but needed to be applied early in the season to achieve complete spray coverage.