THE INFLUENCE OF THREE INSECTICIDES ON PREDATION OF THE PEAR PSYLLA, PSYLLA PYRICOLA

Abstract

The effects of sprays of DDT, azinphos-methyl, and Ryania applied to a pear orchard on population densities of insect predators of Psylla pyricola Förster were assessed. The P. pyricola in the orchard were naturally tolerant to DDT and Ryania and highly resistant to azinphos-methyl. DDT eliminated or severely reduced numbers of Deraeocoris brevis piceatus Knight, D. fasciolus Knight, Diaphnocoris provancheri (Burque), and Campylomma verbasci (Meyer). Chrysopa carnea Stephens and C. oculata Say were moderately reduced. Anthocoris antevolens (White) and A. melanocerus Reuter were highly tolerant to DDT. Azinphos-methyl severely reduced numbers of A. antevolens, A. melanocerus, C. verbasci, and D. provancheri. C. carnea and C. oculata were moderately reduced. D. brevis piceatus and D. fasciolus were tolerant to azinphos-methyl. Ryania severely reduced numbers of A. antevolens, A. melanocerus, and C. verbasci; moderately reduced D. provancheri; and did not affect D. brevis piceatus, D. fasciolus, C. carnea, or C. oculata.In the DDT-treated plots the relative densities of Anthocoris spp. approximately doubled compared with the untreated plots. This was probably due to removal of competition for food by other predator species. Large increases ill the relative densities of Deraeocoris spp. were also observed in the Ryania treatments, probably for similar reasons. Significant increases in the P. pyricola populations in response to removal of predation pressure by the insecticide treatments occurred in the DDT and azinphos-methyl plots bur not in the Ryania plots.