Nedim Uygun

Studies on the effects of some pesticides on white peach scale, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.-Tozz.) (Homoptera: Diaspidae) and its side-effects on two common scale insect predators.

Abstract Studies were carried out on chemical control of white peach scale (WPS), Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targ.-Tozz.) (Hom.: Diaspidae), the main pest of peach in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey in 1992 and 1993. The effectiveness of two insect growth regulators, summer oil, methidathion, and summer oil + a reduced dosage of methidathion were evaluated under field conditions. The side-effects of the same pesticides on the predators Chilocorus bipustulatus (L.) (Col.: Coccinellidae) and Cybocephalus fodori minor (Endrody-Younga) (Col.: Cybocephalidae) were examined under laboratory conditions. Buprofezin gave sufficient control of WPS in the field experiments and had only limited side-effects on WPS-predators in the laboratory. Moderate WPS-populations were successfully controlled by fenoxycarb and summer oil. The side-effects of these pesticides were comparable to those of buprofezin. Methidathion with and without summer oil is able to suppress WPS-populations, but should not be used in integrated pest management programmes because of high toxicity towards WPS predators.