Pesticide effects on beneficial insects and mites

Client: Horticulture Australia Limited

Project delivery period: 2006-2009

IPM involves (in part) integrating biological control with chemical controls. To do this it is necessary to know what the effects of different pesticides are on the key species of beneficial insects and mites in different crops. This project was conducted for the Australian vegetable industry and tested a range of pesticides (insecticides and fungicides) on different species of beneficial insects and mites that are considered important in vegetable crops. This work included both acute and sub-lethal testing.

The project provided the information growers need to make informed decisions on the compatibility of pesticides with biological control and IPM.