3.4 Direct pest control methods in organic farming

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Direct pest control methods in organic farming


Learning Outcomes:


  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and products for insect pest control.
  • Choose the appropriate method and product for pest control in specific conditions of agricultural production.
  • Select and recommend the appropriate methods and products to be applied in order to keep pest population below the economic threshold.

Mechanical and physical pest control methods




Mechanical pest control measures include various methods of collecting or destroying insects in the crop or the use of certain mechanical barriers. Some mechanical pest control measures are implemented when the pests infest the host plant and aim to maintain yields, while other measures are implemented when vegetation is dormant or when the pest is not causing direct damage to the crop and aim to reduce the pest population in the future. Examples of some mechanical control measures are given in Table 3.3. and the possible implementation of a particular measure for other crops or pests is described.

Table 3.3 Some examples of mechanical pest control measures
Method Target pest How to implement it Additional comments and possible implementation
Destroying crop residues Ostrinia nubilalis It is applied after harvest. Corn in which caterpillars overwinter is crushed into pieces shorter than 1 cm using specially designed equipment. The destruction of plant remains may still be accomplished by chopping, burning, or deep plowing. This measure is acceptable for several other pests. In greenhouse production, destruction of plant residues is necessary. Leaf miners that pupate in the leaf are suppressed by collecting and burning fallen leaves.
Collecting and destroying the insects Leptinotarsa decemlineata At the time of emergence of the adult beetles, they are collected and mechanically destroyed (clearly visible on the plants). Leaves on which eggs are laid are also collected. Collection should be carried out at least twice a week at the time of emergence of overwintering adult beetles. Manual collection can be done for pests with larger body sizes (e.g., weevils on grapevines), for pests that are held together (e.g., caterpillar cocoons on branches), or when the egg clutches of the pest are collected. In some cases, the pests are collected with the parts of the plant (e.g. leaves, twigs) that they infest. Mechanical collection is carried out with aspirators and in this case, in addition to the pests, their natural enemies are also collected - these should be returned to nature after collection. The obligatory measure after collecting is the destruction of the collected pests.
Collecting the pests by using different tools Cydia pomonella, wasps, horns, rodentia, crockroaches Mechanical trapping of pests is carried out with the aid of various aids, which may be hunting belts of corrugated cardboard, hunting vessels filled with a mixture of water, vinegar, etc., or specially constructed traps. Hunting belts of corrugated cardboard placed around the trunk in early fall to catch overwintering codling moth caterpillars. They are also suitable for other caterpillar species that overwinter on the trunk. Hunting pots or traps are placed in areas accessible to insects and some form of bait can be placed in them to attract the target organism. See Table 3.4. Suitable for a wide range of pests.
Mechanical barriers Slugs, Bothynoderes punctiventris, wild animals, aphids, rodents Various types of barriers, such as mechanical barriers for slugs, fences for wildlife, barriers (digging channels) to prevent migrating insects from infesting the field (weevils), nets attached to windows and entrances of greenhouses or warehouses, nets or other materials used to cover crops, wrap plants, etc. Suitable for a large number of pests. It is necessary to choose the best type of barrier according to the type of pest and its way of life and the characteristics of the plants.

Physical control methods involve the use of physical means to control pests. These include the use of temperature (low or high), humidity, carbon dioxide, vacuuming, and the use of optical and olfactory baits, gamma rays, ozone, etc. High and low temperatures are most commonly used for pest control in protected areas (e.g. steam sterilization of floors) or in warehouses during food storage (e.g. freezing beans to control pea weevil). A brief overview of the most common physical methods and possible applications is given in Table 3.4.

Table 3.4 Examples of the use of physical pest control methods
Method Target pest Description Wider implementation
Soil sterilization by steam Pests, diseases and weeds in protected areas in the soil (nematodes, fly larvae, spores of various fungi, weed seeds) Hot steam is introduced through perforated pipes into empty greenhouses or sheltered areas. It is produced in a specially constructed apparatus. Under the influence of the steam, the soil temperature rises to such an extent that survival of organisms in the soil is no longer possible. In carrying out the procedure, it is important to ensure a certain period of time during which the temperature is elevated, i.e. the organisms must be exposed to the target temperature for a certain period of time. The lower the target temperature, the longer the exposure can be. It is recommended to heat the soil to 95 ° C for 5 minutes. The method is applicable to all protected areas and to almost all harmful organisms present in the soil at the time the method is carried out.
Solarization Nematodes in vegetables and ornamental plants During the summer months, when there is no cultivation on certain areas, the soil is covered with a transparent plastic foil (PE or PVC) 0.015-0.05 mm thick. The soil remains covered for 1-2 months. Before covering the soil should be moistened. Soil temperatures at a depth of 10 cm under the foil are raised by 10-20 ° C in relation to the uncovered soil. This is enough to destroy organisms (nematodes, fungi, weed seeds) in the soil. Applicable to all groups of harmful organisms in conditions where it is possible to leave the plots unsown during the summer months.
Vacuum and Carbon dioxide Stored product pests The method is based on removing the air from the warehouses where grain products are stored, creating a vacuum and causing the pests to die under such conditions. Another option is the introduction of carbon dioxide into the storage room, which displaces the air and the pests die due to the lack of oxygen. The implementation of these methods is possible in warehouses that are designed to be completely sealed. Applicable to all groups of harmful organisms in storage areas.
Ozon Stored product pests Introduction of ozone produced for this purpose in devices (ozonators) in warehouses. To achieve full success it is necessary to achieve a certain concentration of ozone in a certain period of time depending on the type of insect. Research on different ways of using ozone is underway.
Sterilization of males by gamma rays Ceratitis capitata, Dacus oleae This method is also referred to as SIT technology. Gamma rays are used to sterilize mass bred male fruit flies and then release them into plantations where they compete with fertile males for females to copulate with. After a female copulates with a sterile male, she does not produce eggs, so the released sterilized males reduce the number of eggs laid and the number of larvae that cause damage. Sterile males are usually released over a geographically larger area (area-wide management). Suitable for other types of fruit flies (e.g. olive fruit fly) and is also used worldwide for insects that attack humans (mosquitoes, cannibal flies, etc.)
Mass trapping using colored sticky traps Aphids, white flies A large number of yellow plates are placed on the edges of greenhouses or protected areas. The plates are placed so that the lower edge of the plate is flush with the top of the crop. The aim is to catch a larger number of aphids as they fly into the building. The yellow plates must be replaced regularly to ensure the capacity of the adhesive surface. Besides aphids, the method is also suitable for moths, thrips, fruit flies, vegetable flies, etc. The color of the sticky board adapts to the type of pest.
Confusion by sexual pheromones Grapevine moths Pheromone capsules (without traps) are placed in large numbers in plantations. The pheromone capsules release a high concentration of female pheromones, confusing the males and making it impossible for them to find the females. Therefore, they do not mate. Unfertilized females do not lay eggs, so caterpillar infestation is reduced. Also suitable for codling moth, South American tomato moth and some other species that produce pheromones.

Biotechnical methods based strategies




Biotechnical methods include the control of pests with pheromones, the release of sterile insects and the use of insecticides with biotechnical action. Biotechnical insecticides influence the metabolism of insects (e.g. molting inhibitors) resulting in insect death. Biotechnical insecticides primarily do not have a harmful effect on insects, but disrupt processes in their metabolism, resulting in insect death. Because biotechnical insecticides (although considered more environmentally friendly than conventional chemical insecticides) are not all approved for use in organic agriculture, in this chapter we will focus on strategies for applying pheromones and releasing sterile males for pest control.

There are two ways to use pheromones for pest control: Mass trapping and confusion. Both methods are described in Table 3.4. Both methods, as well as the method of releasing sterile insects, are excellent when an area-wide control strategy (hereafter AW) is used to control pests. In contrast to individual control measures that we implement with the goal of immediate damage reduction in a specific area, the long-term goal of the AW program is to reduce pest infestations in a given area below the number that can cause damage. The purpose of this environmentally friendly method is to reduce the population of pests below the decision threshold. The control of a particular pest species is not only done on the crop that suffers economic damage, as in the individual approach (Figure 3.41 A), but on all crops that the pest can feed on (Figure 3.41 B).


Figure 3.41 Graphical representation of the control concept on individual fields (A) and on large areas (B). (After Hendrichs et al., 2007).

3.41.A: Pest population declines below the decision threshold on fields of commercial importance and is not controlled on neglected crops, alternative hosts, backyard hosts, and wild hosts. As a result of control, significant areas remain uncontrolled by the remaining pests, which are then the source of their restored population.

3.41.B: The pest population declines below the decision threshold on all areas, including neglected crops, alternative hosts, backyard hosts, and wild hosts. The result of control is the absence of significant areas to hold the remaining pest individuals that escaped control and would be the source of the restored pest population.

The specificity of this strategy is that it must be organized and implemented by all owners of agricultural land in a given area.

Use of natural enemies




The use of natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) for pest control is one of the ways of biological control. The most used method of biological control is the augmentation method, which aims to increase the population of natural enemies that exist in a given field or to introduce species that are widely distributed in a given area. This method is implemented in several ways:

  • 1. cultivation of the natural enemy in the laboratory and its release into the farm
  • 2. collecting a natural enemy in another environment and bringing it to the farm where we want to carry out biological control
  • 3. purchasing a natural enemy from an authorized supplier/manufacturer of the formulated products called biopesticides

The following requirements are necessary for the successful use of natural enemies:

  • An accurate identification of the pest
  • An accurate and timely assessment of the threat
  • The selection of the optimum natural enemy for the specific conditions; the determination of the optimum time for the first application
  • Knowledge of the optimum required ratio between the number of natural enemies and the number of pests
  • Knowledge of the manufacturer of the chosen enemy who can guarantee the quality and make the delivery quickly
  • Properly prepared storage of the natural enemies from receipt to application
  • Existing/previous measures in the crop into which the natural enemy is introduced (nets at ports of entry, application of other pesticides, etc.)

There are a large number of natural enemies that can be used in organic farming. Table 3.5. shows the main species available on the market with their basic characteristics and scope of application (target pests for which they can be used).


Table 3.5 Overview of the most important species of the most commonly used natural enemies available on the market
Type of the natural enemy (systematic group) Species Packaging Target pests Application tips
Predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris, Amblyseius swirskii, Phytoseiulus persimilis Adult mites mixed with inert substance in a bottle or in smaller packets prepared for hanging on plants. Phytophagous mites (Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus ulmi etc.) Scatter the mites evenly in the culture on the leaves (depending on the culture 5 - 100 mites/m²) or hang the sachets on the plants. Mites tolerate temperatures up to 40 ° C, but work optimally at temperatures between 25-30 ° C and humidity 40-90%.
Macrocheles robustulus Adult mites mixed with inert substance (vermiculite) Pests in soil (thrips nymphs, sciarid flies etc.) Release on the soil
Amblydromalus limonicus Nymphs and adult mites mixed with inert substance Thrips, whiteflies Scatter the mites evenly in the culture on the leaves (depending on the culture 5 - 100 mites/m²) or hang the sachets on the plants. Mites tolerate temperatures up to 40 ° C, but work optimally at temperatures between 25-30 ° C and humidity 40-90%.
Predatory true bugs Macrolophus pygmaeus, M. caliginosus Nymphs and adults mixed with woodchips and buckwheat Thrips (various species) Scattering of bugs in groups of 75-100 on plant leaves for preventive control.
Macrolophus pygmaeus, M. caliginosus Nymphs and adults mixed with wood chips and/or buckwheat Thrips, whiteflies, aphids, leaf miner larvae, Tuta absoluta eggs. Shake from the bottle onto the leaves or into a storage box that hangs on the plants. It works best at temperatures below 20 ° C.
Coccinellids (predators) Adalia bipunctata, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Delphastus catalinae Depending on the species, larvae and adults mixed with wood chips and/or buckwheat Depending on the species: aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies…. Open bottles or packets, place in dispensers that are placed near infected plants.
Lacewings (predators) Chrysoperla spp. Larvae mixed with buckwheat Aphids, other pests Open bottles or packets, place in dispensers that are placed near infected plants.
Predatory Diptera Aphidoletes aphidimyza Fly pupae in a bottle mixed with organic material Aphids Leave the open bottle on the ground or hang it between the plants - flies that come out of the pupa will fly out and lay eggs next to aphid colonies.
Parasitoid wasps Aphelinus abdominalis Parasitic wasps mummies on the card or in bottles mixed with inert material (buckwheat, wood-chips etc.) Aphids Wasps are less mobile, so it is important to distribute the mummies evenly around the infected plants.
Aphidius ervi, A. matricariae, A. colemani Aphids Distribute the mummies evenly around the infected plants. A. matricariae does not act above 28 ° C and A. colemani and A. ervi above 30 ° C.
Anagyrus vladimiri Scale insects Distribute the mummies evenly around the infected plants. They are most active around 25 ° C and the activity zone is from 13 to 38 ° C.
Encarsia formosa Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci Hang cards with mummies on plants. Temperatures above 17 ° C are required to achieve efficiency.
Eretmocerus eremicus Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci Also suitable for use in higher temperature conditions.
Dacnusa sibirica Adults Larvae of leaf miner flies The wasp lays an egg in the miner larva, the wasp larva develops in the mineral larva.
Diglyphus isaea The wasp paralyzes the miner larva and lays eggs on it, the wasp larva develops in the mine and feeds on the miner larva.
Entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae, S. carpocapsae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora … Nematode (larvae) mixed with inert carrier material Lepidoptera: Tuta absoluta, Noctuids larvae, Spodoptera spp., cotton bollworm, corn earworm (Helicoverpa sp.), Chrysodeixis chalcites, Agrotis sp., Autographa gamma, Duponchelia fovealis, Cydalima perspectalis, Crambus hortuellus, Chrysoteuchia topiaria, Cydia pomonella, Cydia molesta, Cydia funebrana, Adoxophyes orana, and Synanthedon myopaeformis.
Coleoptera: Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Capnodis tenebrionis, Crioceris asparagi.
Diptera: Scatella sp., Tipula sp.
Other orders: Nesidiocoris tenuis, Corythucha ciliata, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Neoscapteriscus sp.
Depending on the target pest, they are poured onto the soil or applied by spraying the trunk and soil around the trunk. Nematodes are susceptible to ultraviolet light (UV): do not use them in direct sunlight; the moisture content of the soil must be kept high for several days after application. When possible, irrigate the crop before and right after application. For foliar application, spray when relative humidity will exceed 75% for several hours post treatment; an adjuvant and/or an anti-desiccant/humectant additive can be beneficial.

Products for direct pest control allowed in organic production




Two types of products can be used for direct pest control in organic farming. These are homemade products and ready formulated products found in the market.

Homemade products

Homemade products are usually the preparation of various plant-based products called botanical or herbal products that can be used for direct pest control (in this case we are talking about botanical insecticides) or to enhance plant resistance. Botanical insecticides are made from extracts of toxic and non-toxic plants. Extraction of non-toxic, mostly medicinal and aromatic herbs such as nettle, onion, chamomile, wormwood, rosemary, etc., yields extracts that are non-toxic and can be sprayed at any stage of plant development. Many of these extracts have not been adequately studied, so their mechanism of action is unknown. They are mainly extracts that have no direct insecticidal effect on pests, but are characterized only by an indirect effect, such as the ability to repel insect pests or to strengthen the resistance of the plant. Some of the major preparations obtained using non-toxic herbs are Horsetail tea, Wormwood, Elderberry, Nettle. In addition to extracts from non-toxic plants, extracts from toxic plants can also be prepared on the farm, but because of the potential danger in their preparation, their preparation is more often carried out in factories. The preparation of herbal insecticides at home is reasonable if the following conditions are met:

  • the people involved in the production must not be exposed to the risk of poisoning.
  • production must not pose a danger to the environment.
  • research has established that the products obtained are safe for the consumer.
  • the raw material for the preparation of the extracts is readily available.
  • the preparation is not expensive.
  • there are no equally acceptable and effective preparations on the market.

Plants used to make herbal insecticides can be used fresh or dried. The best time to pick them is just before flowering and during the sunny period. Then they must be dried in a clean, ventilated and shaded place. The procedure for making insecticides from plants may vary. Many authors explain the different instructions, and in general all methods can be divided into cold and hot water extraction methods or alcohol extraction. Extraction is a method of separating essential from less important constituents of a medicinal plant. Herbs are most commonly used as preparations in the form of herbal tea, herbal soups, and herbal extracts.

Herbal tea is made by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried herbs and letting such a mixture steep, covered, for 10-15 minutes. This is followed by the straining process.

Vegetable soup is made when the prescribed amount of herbs is soaked in water for 24 hours, preferably in rainwater. Then the soup is brought to a boil and simmer on low heat for about half an hour. The soup should be cooled and strained after cooling.

Herbal extracts are made from fresh or dried herbs or parts of plants. Extraction involves pouring a solvent over dry or fresh plant parts. Although water is not the best solvent for extracting all compounds from plant parts, it is most acceptable for use when the process is done at home. Besides water, alcohol (ethanol) can also be used as a solvent in home preparation, while the use of methanol, chloroform, acetone, etc. is not recommended, as these are compounds considered hazardous substances.

Industrial products

Industrial products used for pest control in organic farming can be based on different active ingredients. The use of industrial plant protection products in organic production is regulated by Regulation 2018/848 of the European Parliament and the Council. According to the regulation, the use of certain plant protection products is allowed when the application of all methods described above does not provide sufficient protection. Only plant protection products authorised under Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009 may be used after they have been evaluated and found to be in compliance with the objectives and principles of organic farming. Only the active substances listed in Annex I of COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2021/1165 may be contained in plant protection products used in organic production. Some of the authorised products belong to the so-called basic substances, others are authorised as products with a specific effect. Basic substances are active substances, not predominantly used as plant protection products but which may be of value for plant protection and for which the economic interest in applying for approval may be limited. Insecticides are mostly plant-based products (plant insecticides), living microorganisms (bacteria, viruses or fungi) and their by-products, and substances or compounds of organic or inorganic origin. An overview of the most important active substances for protection against insect pests, mites and snails that are permitted in organic production (EU Pesticide Database) is shown in Table 3.6.


Table 3.6 Active substances permitted for use against harmful insects, mites and snails in organic farming.
Category Active ingredient Mode of action Applicability Important information
Basic substances Beer Feeding attractant Slugs and snails It is used as a bait for slugs and snails only.
Fructose It stimulates the defense mechanisms of plants Lepidoptera larvae in orchards, American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus) A solution in cold water should be prepared immediately before use.
L-cysteine Preventive Ants from genus Atta and Acromyrmex L-cysteine should be used in a mixture with wheat flour or similar, food in a concentration of not more than 8%.
Surcose It stimulates the defense mechanisms of plants Lepidoptera larvae in orchards, American grapevine leafhopper (Scaphoideus titanus), European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) A solution in cold water should be prepared immediately before use.
Talk (E553B) Creates a barrierpreventing pest feeding Cacopsylla pyri, Cacopsylla fulguralis, Drosophila suzukii, Panonychus ulmi, Bactrocera oleae The aqueous solution shall be prepared immediately before use and must be stirred at all times.
Nettle extract Industrial products obtained by different extraction processes (depending on the manufacturer) Numerous pest species as are: aphids (Myzus persicae,Macrosiphum rosae, Eriosoma lanigerum, Cryptomyzus ribis, Callaphis juglandis, Myzus cerasi, Aphis fabae etc.), cabbage flea beetle (Phyllotreta nemorum), diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) Application by spraying or as mulch on the ground.
Substances of organic origin Parafin oil Due to its viscosity, it creates a coating on the body of harmful insects and closes the air vents (stigma) of harmful insects and mites. Insecticide, acaricide They are used for winter spraying or for spraying in vegetation.
Plant oils They show toxic and / or repellent effects. Due to their viscosity, some can act similarly to parafin and mineral oils. Insecticide, acaricide They can be essential, in which case they are a mixture of volatile and lipophilic compounds.
Hydrolyzed proteins Attractants, only in authorzed applications in combination with other appropriate products. Different product for different pest species Used for mass trapping.
Mineral oil Due to its viscosity, it creates a coating on the body of harmful insects and closes the air vents (stigma) of harmful insects and mites. Insecticide, acaricide They are used for winter spraying or for spraying in vegetation.
Pelargonium acid and other acids from C7 to C20 It acts on all groups of pest organisms Soft-bodied insects (aphids, whiteflyes, mites) Applied by spraying
Substances of inorganic origin Diamonium phosphate It is used as bait for the method of mass trapping in orchards Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi, Bactrocera oleae Applied diluted in baits
Sulfur Although originally a fungicide it is known to have an acaricidal activity Mites on different plant species: orchards, vinegrapes et. Sulfur has a negative effect on beneficial predatory mites and this should be taken into account when making a decision on control.
Diatomaceous earth It works mechanically because coarse particles damage the cuticle of insects that lose moisture from the body and dehydrate. The most common use against pests in warehouses It is applied by spraying, less often as a powder.
Ferric phosphate (iron (III) orthophosphate It has an abrasive effect on the mucous membrane of snails. Limacide It is used against harmful snails in the form of baits
Microorganisms- viruses Adoxophies orana granulovirus It causes a lethal effect on caterpillars after feeding Adoxophyes orana Spray in the evening, adjust the dose to the height of the canopy. Application in orchards
Cydia pomonella granulovirus Cydia pomonella
Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyedrovirus Helicoverpa armigera It is used on vegetables.
Microorganisms- fungus Isaria fumosorosea strain Apopka 97 A fungus that can be found in soils around the world Trialeurodes vaporariorum The pest is most susceptible to infection in the N1 and N4 stages of the nymph. The infection cycle is rapid and symptoms of infection are visible within 24-48 hours after the conidia get in contact with the insect.
Akanthomyces muscarius strain Ve6, earlier Lecanicillium muscarium A fungus that can be found all over the world in nature, in soils and in other organisms Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Thrips sp. Effective by direct contact and under the right environmental conditions kills larvae after 7-10 days. After spraying, spores germinate and grow, creating hyphae that penetrate the body cavity, where they multiply, destroying tissues. The fungus then grows through the cuticle of the insect and creates spores on the outside of the carcass, which can spread the infection to other whiteflies and thrips.
Akanthomyces muscarius strain Ve6, earlier Lecanicillium muscarium A fungus that can be found all over the world in nature, in soils and in other organisms Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Thrips sp. Effective by direct contact and under the right environmental conditions kills larvae after 7-10 days. After spraying, spores germinate and grow, creating hyphae that penetrate the body cavity, where they multiply, destroying tissues. The fungus then grows through the cuticle of the insect and creates spores on the outside of the carcass, which can spread the infection to other whiteflies and thrips.
Beauveria bassiana Spore fungi formulated as a powder (for use in storage) or as water-soluble granules to be applied by spraying. Storage pests: (Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Sitophilus granarius, Cryptolestes ferrugineus) and pests in glashouses Frankliniella occidentalis, Thrips tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Bemisia tabaci, Bemisia argentifolii When spraying, the volume of water should be adjusted to the developmental stage of the crop.
Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae Spore fungi formulated as granules for application in soil. Phyllopertha horticola, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, Amphimallon solstitialis The granules need to be mechanically incorporated into the soil.
Microorganisms- bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis sbsp. aizawai Bacterial spores and crystals formulated in a spray preparation. Defoliator caterpillars in pepper Gastric poison, it acts only after the caterpillars (or CPB larva) take it into the digestive system together with the leaves.
Bacillus thuringiensis sbsp. kurstaki Wider application on other crops but always to control butterfly caterpillars.
Bacillus thuringiensis sbsp. tenebrionis Colorado potato beetle larvae
Derivates of microorganisms- naturalites Spinosad Spinosyns are biologically active substances obtained by fermentation from the bacterium Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Spinosad is a mixture of spinosyn A and spinosyn D Very wide range of action - used to control potato beetles, harmful caterpillars, thrips and moths on vegetable crops and fruit trees. Permitted in organic production, but the justification of its application must be supported by data on the intensity of pest attacks.
Botanical insecticides Azadirachtin Extract obtained from Indian neem tree (Azadirachta indica) Colorado potato beetle and many other pests It acts as a growth regulator and also has a repellent effect.
Pyrethrin Pyrethrin is the common name for six active compounds: pyrethrin I, pyrethrin II, cinerin I, cinerin II, cinerin III, jasmolin I and jasmolin II isolated from the plant Chrysanthemun cinerariifolium. Wide range of action. Controls many pests. Pyrethrin acts almost immediately after contact. It works in smaller doses. Although a biological agent, it should be used sparingly and care should be taken not to come into contact with beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and honey bees. Pyrethrin degrades rapidly and is not retained in the environment. Caution, it decomposes poorly in water and binds very tightly to soil and organic matter.
Sexual pheromones Lavandulyl senecioate Naturally occurring arthropod pheromone with a non-toxic mode of action. A very targeted activity concerning one species is assumed. Specific effect on the pest species, Planococcus ficus. Manual application in passive dispensers for mating disruption
Other sexual pheromones Intended to attract males of certain species - there are a large number of registered pheromones. Cydia pomonella, Adoxophyes orana, Pandemis heparana, Agrotis spp. Polychrosis botrana and others They are used for confusion of males (see 3.4.1.)
Aggregation pheromones They attract both sexes of insects and are suitable for mass trapping Bothynoderes punctiventris etc. They apply to mass trapping (see 3.4.1) and in some cases in area wide management programs.