BiorationalBiorational and and

Organic InsecticidesOrganic Insecticides

Rick FosterRick Foster

Department of EntomologyDepartment of Entomology

Purdue UniversityPurdue University

DisclaimerDisclaimer

Some parts of this presentation have beenSome parts of this presentation have been

borrowed from Dr. Rick borrowed from Dr. Rick WeinzierlWeinzierl from the from the

University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois

Thanks, RickThanks, Rick

BiorationalBiorational Insecticides Insecticides

An active ingredient or formulation thatAn active ingredient or formulation that

effectively controls pests and is derivedeffectively controls pests and is derived

from biological or natural originsfrom biological or natural origins

Organic InsecticidesOrganic Insecticides

Insecticides possessing carbon atomsInsecticides possessing carbon atoms

Insecticides from a plant or animal sourceInsecticides from a plant or animal source

Insecticides that are on the OMRI (OrganicInsecticides that are on the OMRI (Organic

Materials Review Institute) listMaterials Review Institute) list

BiorationalBiorational vs. Organic vs. Organic

Some Some biorationalbiorational products may not be on products may not be on

the OMRI listthe OMRI list

Some materials on the OMRI are notSome materials on the OMRI are not

biorationalsbiorationals

Lots of overlapLots of overlap

Why Use a Why Use a BiorationalBiorational Insecticide? Insecticide?

Better control than conventional insecticidesBetter control than conventional insecticides

Not usually better; sometimes equalNot usually better; sometimes equal

Broader spectrum of activityBroader spectrum of activity

Usually a narrower spectrum of activityUsually a narrower spectrum of activity

CheaperCheaper

Usually more expensiveUsually more expensive

Less toxic to workers or consumersLess toxic to workers or consumers

Usually trueUsually true

Safer for the environmentSafer for the environment

Usually trueUsually true

Safer for beneficial insectsSafer for beneficial insects

Usually trueUsually true

Required for certified organic productionRequired for certified organic production

Almost alwaysAlmost always

Types of Organic InsecticidesTypes of Organic Insecticides

BotanicalsBotanicals

Soaps and oilsSoaps and oils

Microbial insecticidesMicrobial insecticides

Growth regulatorsGrowth regulators

PheromonesPheromones

Non-organic natural productsNon-organic natural products

Old BotanicalsOld Botanicals

NicotineNicotine

PyrethrinsPyrethrins

RotenoneRotenone

SabadillaSabadilla

RyaniaRyania

PyrethrinsPyrethrins

Only one of the old botanicals that isOnly one of the old botanicals that is

widely available with labels covering manywidely available with labels covering many

cropscrops

Nerve poison Nerve poison –– affects Na+/K- ion affects Na+/K- ion

transmission in axonstransmission in axons

Low toxicity to humansLow toxicity to humans

Rapid knockdown; low residualRapid knockdown; low residual

Potential Uses for Potential Uses for PyrethrinsPyrethrins

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

Young squash bug nymphsYoung squash bug nymphs

Striped cucumber beetles - ?Striped cucumber beetles - ?

Potato leafhopperPotato leafhopper

Newer BotanicalsNewer Botanicals

Citrus oil derivativesCitrus oil derivatives

Neem - Neem - azadirachtinazadirachtin

Garlic oilsGarlic oils

Hot pepper oilsHot pepper oils

NeemNeem

Most promising of newer botanicalsMost promising of newer botanicals

Oil from seeds or leaves of Oil from seeds or leaves of neemneem tree tree

Multiple modes of action but primarily actsMultiple modes of action but primarily acts

as a repellentas a repellent

Very low toxicity: used medicinally and asVery low toxicity: used medicinally and as

an ingredient in toothpastean ingredient in toothpaste

Potential Uses for NeemPotential Uses for Neem

Flea beetlesFlea beetles

Japanese beetlesJapanese beetles

AphidsAphids

Insecticidal SoapsInsecticidal Soaps

Salts of fatty acidsSalts of fatty acids

Disrupt insect membranesDisrupt insect membranes

Must contact insect to be effectiveMust contact insect to be effective

No residual activityNo residual activity

Effective against aphids, whiteflies, mites,Effective against aphids, whiteflies, mites,

etc.etc.

OilsOils

Suffocate arthropodsSuffocate arthropods

Must contact insects to be effectiveMust contact insects to be effective

No residual activityNo residual activity

Effective against eggs, aphids, mites, etc.Effective against eggs, aphids, mites, etc.

Microbial InsecticidesMicrobial Insecticides

BacteriaBacteria

VirusesViruses

FungiFungi

NematodesNematodes

ProtozoaProtozoa

Bacillus Bacillus thuringiensisthuringiensis

First used commercially in US in 1958First used commercially in US in 1958

DiPelDiPel was first produced in 1972 was first produced in 1972

How Bt worksHow Bt works

Bts contain protein Bts contain protein endotoxinendotoxin crystals and crystals and

living sporesliving spores

When insect eats proteins, feeding stopsWhen insect eats proteins, feeding stops

within minuteswithin minutes

The toxin damages the gut The toxin damages the gut tisuestisues, allowing, allowing

the spores to enter the body cavitythe spores to enter the body cavity

Larvae die within 1-3 daysLarvae die within 1-3 days

Potential UsesPotential Uses

Bacillus Bacillus thuringiensisthuringiensis kurstakikurstaki –– many manycaterpillarscaterpillars

Bacillus Bacillus thuringiensisthuringiensis aizawaiaizawai –– many caterpillars many caterpillars

Bacillus Bacillus thuringiensisthuringiensis tenebrionistenebrionis –– primarily primarilyColorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Bacillus Bacillus thuringiensisthuringiensis israelensisisraelensis –– larvae of larvae ofblack flies, fungus gnats, and mosquitoesblack flies, fungus gnats, and mosquitoes

Bacillus Bacillus popilliaepopilliae and B. and B. lentimorbuslentimorbus –– JapaneseJapanesebeetle larvaebeetle larvae

Keys to Bt SuccessKeys to Bt Success

Larvae must be actively feedingLarvae must be actively feeding

Early detection of infestations, not to cleanEarly detection of infestations, not to clean

up problemup problem

Good coverageGood coverage

Use spreader-sticker or surfactantUse spreader-sticker or surfactant

Not during extremely hot or cold conditionsNot during extremely hot or cold conditions

Genetically Modified OrganismsGenetically Modified Organisms

Most Most GMOsGMOs that provide protection from that provide protection from

insects contain genes from a Btinsects contain genes from a Bt

Plant produces proteins instead ofPlant produces proteins instead of

bacteriabacteria

Used in corn, sweet corn, rice, cotton, andUsed in corn, sweet corn, rice, cotton, and

potatoes (no longer)potatoes (no longer)

Not OMRI approvedNot OMRI approved

Other Other MicrobialsMicrobials

Viruses Viruses –– available for corn earworm and available for corn earworm andsome other pestssome other pests

Fungi Fungi –– BeauveriaBeauveria, , EntomophthoraEntomophthora and andMetarrhiziumMetarrhizium; more effective from natural; more effective from naturalsources than commercial productssources than commercial products

Nematodes Nematodes –– SteinernemaSteinernema & &HeterorhabditisHeterorhabditis; limited usefulness; limited usefulness

Protozoa Protozoa –– NosemaNosema used for grasshopperused for grasshoppercontrolcontrol

Fermentation ProductsFermentation Products

SpinosadsSpinosads

AvermectinsAvermectins

SpinosadsSpinosads

SpinTorSpinTor or Entrust or Entrust

RadiantRadiant

Derived from soil Derived from soil actinomyceteactinomycete

Effective against a range of insectsEffective against a range of insects

Most caterpillars, Colorado potato beetles,Most caterpillars, Colorado potato beetles,

apple maggots, apple maggots, thripsthrips

Entrust is OMRI approvedEntrust is OMRI approved

AvermectinsAvermectins

Agri-MekAgri-Mek

Derived from Derived from StreptomycesStreptomyces avermitilisavermitilis

Block nerve transmissionBlock nerve transmission

Effective against mites, Effective against mites, leafminersleafminers,,

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Not OMRI approvedNot OMRI approved

PheromonesPheromones

Sex pheromones can be used for matingSex pheromones can be used for mating

disruptiondisruption

Not a Not a biorationalbiorational product; synthetic product; synthetic

OMRI approvedOMRI approved

Effectively used in cotton and fruitEffectively used in cotton and fruit

Non-organic Natural ProductsNon-organic Natural Products

CryoliteCryolite or or KryocideKryocide

Surround - KaolinSurround - Kaolin

CryoliteCryolite or or KryocideKryocide

Sodium Sodium aluminoflouridealuminoflouride

Mined mineralMined mineral

Colorado potato beetleColorado potato beetle

Not OMRI approvedNot OMRI approved

SurroundSurround

Kaolin-based clayKaolin-based clay

Acts as a feeding barrierActs as a feeding barrier

Purported to reduce damage from many insectsPurported to reduce damage from many insects

and diseasesand diseases

My experience My experience –– plum curculio and potato plum curculio and potato

leafhoppersleafhoppers

Protects against sunburnProtects against sunburn

Leaves white residue on produceLeaves white residue on produce

OMRI approvedOMRI approved

Some PrecautionsSome Precautions

DonDon’’t expect to use t expect to use biorationalbiorational insecticides insecticidesas a substitute for conventionalas a substitute for conventionalinsecticidesinsecticides

Preventive and alternative controlPreventive and alternative controlmeasures should be used whenmeasures should be used whenappropriateappropriate

More scouting will be required to detectMore scouting will be required to detectinfestations soonerinfestations sooner

Greater management skills are requiredGreater management skills are required

Questions?