Low-Volume Concentrate Sprays Applied by Aircraft for Control of the Cereal Leaf Beetle1

Abstract

Research was undertaken to control the adult and larval stages of the cereal leaf beetle, Oulema melanopa (L.), by aerial application of insecticides. Low volume applications of technical malathion applied without a carrier from an altitude of 50 ft were compared with a standard application of 1 lb of carbaryl in 1 gal of water per acre. The effect of Banol (6-chloro-3,4-xylyl methylcarbamate) was compared to that of carbaryl. Aerial application of concentrate sprays of technical malathion from an altitude of 50 ft were very effective against cereal leaf beetle adults, but were only moderately effective against the larvae. Control of 97% of adult populations was obtained with an application of 2.5 liquid ounces (3.2 oz actual toxicant) per acre. The more conventional spray using water as a carrier with three times as much insecticide per acre was not effective. Banol controlled cereal leaf beetle larvae at the rate of 0.5 lb of toxicant in 1 gal of water per acre.