Retentive Toxicity of Field-Weathered Insecticide Residues to Entomophagous Insects Associated with Citrus Pests in California1

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Abstract
New persistent-residue citrus pest control materials, by destroying natural enemies, have caused increases of pests formerly held under biological control, and have caused the rapid flareback of treated pests following initial control. Tests were made to determine the comparative effect upon 3 spp. of entomophagous insects of 35 pest control formulations currently used commercially on California citrus. Field-treated citrus leaves were brought to the laboratory for toxicity bio-assay following standard periods of field weathering of residues. One coccinellid, Lindorus lophanthae, and 2 parasitic Hymenoptera, Aphytis chrvsomphali and Metaphycus helvolus, were used as insect test spp. Test methods are descr. The materials most deleterious to the beneficial insects tested were DDT, parathion, lime-sulfur, TDE, EPN, and sulfur, named in decreasing order of toxicity. Aramite and para_chlorophenyl para_chlorobenzene sulfonate were practically nontoxic. Very little selectivity of the chemicals to the test spp. was shown, other than that expected on the basis of their comparative size and vigor. Under arid conditions, dusts were more toxic than sprays of the same materials.

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