Efficacy of insecticides against the tomato/potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli)

Abstract

Adult and nymphal life stages of the tomato/potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli; TPP) cause damage to the host plants and transmit the bacterial pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum'. This leads to reduced crop yield and ultimately the premature decline and death of the infected plant. The efficacy of 11 insecticides was tested against nymphal and adult stages of TPP. Residues of abamectin + oil and bifenthrin were the most effective at reducing adult TPP up to 3 days after treatment, while thiacloprid, spiromesifen, imidacloprid, spinetoram and azadirachtin were slightly toxic. Residues of buprofezin + oil, pyrethrin + oil and mineral oil had no effect on adult mortality. Nymphal life stages were best controlled with abamectin + oil, spirotetramat, bifenthrin and spiromesifen.