Effect of six insecticides on three populations of Bactrocera (Tetradacus) minax (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The Chinese citrus fruit fly, Bactrocera minax is one of the most economically important and aggressive pests threatening the Chinese citrus industry. In order to provide some recommendations for the improvement of integrated pest management of this species, the authors evaluated the toxicity of 6 insecticides on the second stage larvae, fourth stage larvae, and adult flies from multiple geographical B. minax populations. In addition, the influences of each pesticide on pupation and emergence were examined for one population, from Hanzhong. The 6 reagents displayed a wide range of toxicity on various stages of B. minax. Abamectin and Dichlorphos displayed the highest and lowest toxicities, respectively. All of the insecticides had negative effects on pupation and emergence of B. minax from Hanzhong, while Chlorpvrifos had the strongest impact on pupation, and Phoxim had the strongest influence on emergence. Though Phoxim and Chlorpvrifos were both effective, these insecticides belong to the class of organophosphorus pesticides, and their use should be reduced in orchards because of their high toxicity and long residual period.