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Near-"Organic" ** and inorganic Pesticides

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** See Definition of Organic

(Extracted and modified from Henn, T. and R. Weinzieri, 1989;
Larson, L.L., et al., 1985; and Morgan, D.P., 1989

Boric acid (B(OH)3 - registered for control of cockroaches and some ant species

Arsenic
Arsenic is a natural element having both metal and nonmetal physical/chemical properties. Sodium arsenite, calcium arsenite, sodium arsenate, calcium arsenate and zinc arsenate are registered have been used as insecticides.

Sulfur

Elemental sulfur is an acaricide and fungicide widely used on orchard, ornamental, vegetable, grain and other crops. It is prepared as a dust in various particle sizes. Elemental sulfur is irritating to the skin, and airborne dust is irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract. In hot, sunny environments, there may be some oxidation of foliage-deposited sulfur to irritating gaseous sulfur oxides, which are very irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Ingested sulfur powder causes catharsis (dehydration and electrolyte depletion caused by diarrhea), and has been used medically (usually with molasses) for that purpose. Some hydrogen sulfide is formed in the large intestine and may present a degree of toxic hazard. However, an adult has survived ingestion of 60 grams. Ingested colloidal sulfur is efficiently absorbed by the gut and is promptly excreted in the urine as inorganic sulfate.

Ferti-lome® Dusting Sulfur (90% sulfur). Do not re-enter treated areas for at least 24 hours after application is made. Do not use within two weeks of an oil spray treatment, on citrus within 3 to 6 weeks. Sulfur may burn foliage when temperature is high (90-95 degrees F).

Registered uses:

  1. Fruits: On citrus for rust mite, thrips, red spider mites, two-spotted spider mites.
  2. Ornamentals, Shrubs, Flowers: roses, alder, aster, azalea, buttonbush, calendula, carnations, catalpa, cedar, cherry laurel, chrysanthemums, clematis, columbine, cosmos, crape myrtle, dahlia, delphinia, dogwood, English ivy, euonymous, foxglove, gladiolus, golden fleece, hibiscus, holly, hollyhock, hydrangeas, junipers, laurel, lady's mantel, ligustrum, lilac, petunia, poplars, sage, silver vine, similax, snapdragons, spirea, spruce, sunflower, sweet pea, verbena, violets and willows for control of thrips, mites.
  3. Common chigger control in the yard.

Diatomaceous earth (D.E.)(SiO2)
Ccrushed silica-containing shells of microorganisms called diatoms, the sharply serrated crystals scarify an insect's waxy outer coat destroying its moisture balance - not a registered insecticide

Silica gel - silica aerogel + ammonium fluosilicate to 3% fluorine content (Dri-Die®) absorbs oils (oil absorption 40-70%) leading to moisture imbalance

Petroleum derived products:

  • Tangle foot - not a registered insecticide
  • Dormant oil
  • Superior oil (Fertilome® Natural Guard Superior Oil is 98% paraffinic oil and is registered for obscure scale)
  • Summer oil
  • Horticultural oil (paraffinic oils)*
  • Mineral oil - not registered as an insecticide
  • Insecticidal soaps* - (M-pede®, Safer Insecticidal Soap® and others) Insecticidal soaps generally are not considered to be botanical insecticides, although the oils from which they are produced may be of plant origin. In chemical terms, insecticidal soaps (and all soaps in general) are made from the salts of fatty acids. Fatty acids are the principle components of the facts and oils found in animals and plants. Numerous studies have been conducted to correlate insecticidal activity with the physical structure of fatty acids, and certain acids have been determined to be most insecticidal. Oleic acid, present in high quantities in olive oil and in lesser amounts in other vegetable oils, is especially effective. Safer® soaps, the most common currently available insecticidal soaps, contain potassium oleate (the potassium salt of oleic acid) as the active ingredient.

    Mode of action.  Despite many years of use, the mode of cation of insecticidal soaps still remains somewhat unclear. Although the action of soaps involves some physical disruption of the insect cuticle (the outer body covering), additional toxic action is suspected. Some evidence indicates that soaps enter the insect's respiratory system and cause internal cell damage by breaking down cell membranes or disrupting cell metabolism. Soaps also exert some non-lethal developmental effects on immature insects.

    Mammalian toxicity.  The mammalian toxicity of insecticidal soaps is basically the same as that of any soap or detergent. Ingestion causes vomiting and general gastric upset, but has no serious systemic consequences. Insecticidal soap concentrates may contain ethanol (up to 30%), which causes intoxication at doses above several ounces; however, vomiting is likely to clear most of the alcohol from the system before it is absorbed into the blood-stream. Externally, soaps are irritating to eyes and mucous membranes and have drying effects on skin.
    Some insecticidal soap products contain additional insecticidal compounds such as pyrethrins or citrus oil derivatives. These combination products have a higher toxicity then products containing only soap, and their additional toxic effects depend on the kinds of insecticides added.

Vegetable oils - not registered as insecticides
* Note: some soaps and paraffinic oils can be plant derived

Fermentation products (exudates from microorganisms, isolated and purified)

  • avermectin (Avid®, Ascend®)
  • spinosad

Insect growth regulators (synthetic)

  • Juvenoids - synthetically produced molecules that mimic the effects of the naturally occurring insect juvenile hormone
    • fenoxycarb (Logic®)
    • kinoprene (Enstar®)
    • methoprene (Precore®)
    • hydroprene (Gencore®)
  • Chitin synthesis inhibitors - synthetic or naturally occurring molecules that inhibit the production of the exoskeleton element, chitin, following a molt
    • diflubenzuron (Dimilin®)
    • azadractin (derived from neem seed extract)

Pyrethrin analogs (synthetic) - resmethrin, tetramethrin, sumethrin, pyrethroids (fenvalerate, permethrin, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, fenpropathrin, and others)

Pheromones (synthetic) - not registered as insecticides

Table 2. Registered Uses of Insecticidal Soaps and Oils

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Gates, J. P. 1989 (mimeo). "Organic gardening", Agri-Topics, National Agricultural Library, USDA:

Henn, T. and R. Weinzieri. 1989. Botanical insecticides and insecticidal soaps. Circular 1296. Cooperative Extension Service. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 18 pp.

Henn, T. and R. Weinzieri. 1990. Beneficial insects and mites. Circular 1298. Cooperative Extension Service. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 24 pp.

Larson, L. L., E. E. Kenaga and R.W. Morgan. 1985. Commercial and experimental organic insecticides. Entomological Society of America. 105 pp.

Morgan, D. P. 1989. Recognition and management of pesticide poisonings. EPA-540/9-88-001. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 205 pp.

Weinzieri, R. and T. Henn. 1989. Microbial insecticides. Circular 1295. Cooperative Extension Service. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 24 pp.

Whitcomb, C. E. 1983. Know It and Grow It, Lacebark Publications, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 739 pp.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Mother Earth News (eds.). 1989. The Healthy Garden Handbook. Simon & Shuster Inc., New York.   192 pp.

Gates, J. P. (1989) lists a number of additional references on organic gardening. The following are extracted from this listing and appear to specifically address pest management:

Evans, B. R., J.D. Gay and F. Bullock. 1989. Organic gardening and pest control. University of Georgia, Athens, GA, Bull. 1007. 20 pp.

Overdahl, C. J., O. C. Turnquist, G. R. Miller, F. L. Pfleger, M. E. Ascerno and V. S. Packard. 1977. Organic gardening: an integrated approach. Bull. Agric. Ext. Serv. Minn. #377, 18 pp.

Stranberg, M. 1976. Food growing without poisons. Turnstone Press, Ltd., 96 pp.

Tyler, H. A. 1970. Organic gardening without poisons. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 111 pp.

Yepsen, R. B. 1984. The encyclopedia of natural insect & disease control: the most comprehensive guide to protecting plants--vegetables, fruit, flowers, trees, and lawns--without toxic chemicals. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, 490 pp.

The Texas Agricultural Extension Service has produced several publications addressing organic production:

Sauls, J. W., M. Baker, S. Helmers, J. Lipe, C. Lyons, G. McEachern, L. Shreve, and L. Stein. 1991. Producing Texas fruits and nuts organically. B-5024. Texas Agric. Ext. Serv., College Station, TX 12 pp.

Turtney, H. A. and G. McIlveen. 1983. Insect control guide for organic gardeners. B-1252. Texas Agric. Ext. Serv., College Station, TX 12 pp.

COMPUTERIZED SEARCH RESULTS

In an effort to document relevant references to botanical pesticides in scientific literature, a computerized search was conducted using several databases.

I. Biological Abstracts:  July - December 1991:
Key words used: natural insecticides, neem
Total responses: 16

Dreyer, M. and C. Hellpap. 1991. Neem: a promising natural insecticide for small scale vegetable production in tropical and subtropical countries. Zeitschrift fuer Pfanzenkrankeheiten und Pflanzenschutz 98(4):428-437.

Chellayan, S. and G. K. Karnavar. 1990. Inhibition of ovarian development by neem kernel extract in Trogoderma granarium. J. Animal Morphology and Physiology 37(1-2):109-112.

Clement, J. L. 1990 (1991). Insecticide natural substances in plants: Roles and uses in the control of crop pests. Bois et Florets des Tropiques 0(224):34-38.

Kaethner, M. 1991. No side effects of neem extracts on Chryspoerla carnea (Steph.) and Coccinella septempunctata L. Anzeiger fuer Schaedlingskunde Pflanzenshutz Umweltshultz 64(5):97-99.

Kahn, W. M., A. N. H. Naqvi, I. Ahmad, R. Tabbasum, and F. A. Mohammad. 1991. Toxicity of crude neem extracts (N-4 and N-9) against late 2nd instar larvae of Manduca domestica L. (PSCIR strain). Pakistan J. Pharmaceutical Sci. 4(1):77-82.

Krishnaiah, N. V. and M. B. Kalode. 1991. Efficacy of neem oil against rice insect pests under greenhouse and field conditions. Indian J. Plant Protection 19(1):11-16.

Mohan, K., M. Gopalan, and G. Balasubramanian. 1991. Studies on the effects of neem products and monocrotophos against major pests of rice and their safety to natural enemies. Indian J. Plant.Protection 19(1):23-30.

Mohiuddin, S., M. A.Kahn, R. A. Queshi, Z. Kapadia, and S. A. Qureshi. 1990. Ageratum houstonianum, a plant with insecticidal potential. Karachi Univ. J. Sci. 18(1-2):159-164.

Murthy, G. V. G. K. and K. Nagarajan. 1991. Post-emergence control of Orobanche cernau on tobacco with oils. Tropical Pest Management 37(2):149-151.

Naqvi, S. N. H., S. O. Ahmed, and F. A. Mohammad. 1991. Toxicity and IGR effect of two new products against Aedes aegypti (PCSIR strain). Pakistan J. Pharmaceutical Sci. 4(1):71-76.

Olaifa, J. I., S. A. Adedokun, and A. D. Adenuga. 1991. Antifeeding and growth-regulating effects   of neem products on the variegated grasshopper, Zonocerus variegatur L. (Orthoptera: Pyromorphidae). J. African Zool. 105(2):157-162.

Price, J. F. and D. J. Schuster. 1991. Effects of natural and synthetic insecticides on sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera:Aleyrodidae) and its hymenopterous parasitoids. Fla. Entomol. 74(1):60-68.

Rovesti, L. and K. V. Deseo. 1991. Effectiveness of neem seed kernel extract against Leucoptera malifoliella Coast (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). J. Applied Entomol. 111(3):231-236.

Sharma, S., P. Vasudevan, and M. Madan. 1991. Insecticidal value of castor (Ricinus communis) against termites. International Biodeterioration 27(3):249-254.

Tanzubil, P. B. 1991. Control of some insect pests of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) with neem. Tropical Pest Management 37(3):216-217.

Zhang, Z. T., R. C. Saxena, and M. E. M. Boncodin. 1991. Effect of neem oil on courtship signal and mating behavior of the female brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal.). Acta Entomologica Sinica 34(1):1-6.

II. AGRICOLA (1979-1984)
A. Keywords: citronella, ryania, pyrethrin, veratrine, natural insecticides
Total responses: 9 (data base includes 2.8 million records from 1970 to present)

Croft, B. A. 1980. Development, use and management of insect-resistant natural enemies of orchard pests in North America. Proc. Joint American-Soviet Conf. on Use of Beneficial Organisms in the Control of Crop Pests, J. R. Coulsen (ed.) Entomol. Soc. Amer. pp. 54-59.

DeVault, G. 1983. The return of ryania ground stem wood is effective as pesticide, South American shrub Ryania speciosa. New-Farm Emmaus: Regenerative Agriculture Association (May/June) pp. 25-27.

Devitt, B. D., B. J. R. Philogene, and C. F. Hinks. 1980. Effects of veratrine, berberine, nicotine and atropine on developmental characteristics and survival of the dark-sided cutworm, Euxoa messoria (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Phytoprotection 61(3):88-102.

Foster, C. D. 1980. Natural insect pest control herbs. Herb Q., 2(6):9-11.
Koul, O. and S. Madhusoodanan. 1983. Pyrethrin, pyrethroid and carbamate formulations: a laboratory evaluation for domestic insects (against Musca domestica, Paraplaneta americana). Pesticides. Bombay: Colour Publications. pp. 39-41.

McCann, F. V. and Z. J. Penefsky. 1981. The effects of ryanodine, acetylcholine and epinephrine on electrical and mechanical activity in an insect heart Hyalophora cecropia. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C. Comp. Pharmacol. Oxford, Pergamon Press (2) pp. 185-193.

Prickett, A. J. 1980. The cross-resistance spectrum of Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae) heterozygous for pyrethrum resistance. J. Stored Product Res. 16(1):19-25.

Singh, D. P. and V. K. Kharoo. 1983. Ecological response of linum blosson-midge, Dasineura lini Barnes to sugar solution, citronella oil, water and colour (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). India J. Zool. 11(1):44-53.

Walker, T. and M. V. Meisch. 1982. Evaluation of pyrethrin and two synthetic pyrethroids alone and in mixtures with malathion and ULV ultra low volume ground aerosols against riceland mosquitoes Anopheles quadrimaculatus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Arkansas. Mosquito News 42(2):167-171.

B. Keywords: Companion plants
Total references: 6

Chapman, O. 1981. Rhododendron flourish with companion plantings in acid soil. Weeds. Trees. Turf.       20(3):30, 32.

Cox, J. 1979. Companion planting of vegetables--for harmony and production. Org. Gard. 26(2):56,   58-60, 62, 64.

Koehler, C. S., L. W. Barclay, and T. M. Kretchum. 1983. Pests in the home garden--companion       plants as a means of repelling pests. Calif. Agric. 37(9/10):13, 14.

Latheef, M. A. and J. H. Ortiz. 1983. Influence of companion plants on oviposition of imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), and cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on collard plants. Can. Entomol. 115(11):1529-1531.

Markkula, M. and K. Tiittanen. 1982. Importance of companion plants for insect control in vegetable crops (Sweden) Vaxtskyddsnotiser-Sver-Lantbruksuniver 46(4):86-89.
Vertrees, J. D. 1980. Maples and companion plants in an Oregon garden. Arbor Bull. 43(4):2-6.

 

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