Biorational foliar sprays and a novel application method of imidacloprid were evaluated for control of adult and larval cottonwood leaf beetle, Chrysomela scripta, on hybrid poplar, with emphasis on conservation of coccinellid predators. Foliar sprays of biorational insecticides Botanigard (Beauveria bassiana), Novodor (Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis), Raven (B.t. var. kurstaki), Conserve SC (spinosad), and Azatin XL (azadirachtin) were compared to conventional insecticides Admire 2 (imidacloprid) and Sevin XLR Plus (carbaryl). Novodor, Raven, Conserve SC, Admire 2, and Sevin XLP Plus killed adult and larval C. scripta. Azatin XL killed larval but not adult C. scripta. Coccinellids were only killed by foliar sprays of Admire 2 and Sevin XLR Plus. We evaluated a novel stick soak method for systemically applying imidacloprid by soaking poplar sticks in Admire 2 solutions of 3 ml/L and 6 ml/L for 48 hours prior to planting. The imidacloprid in the sticks was translocated to the leaves and controlled adult and larval C. scripta for 3 to 10 months in 3 replicate studies. Systemic applications of Admire 2 did not kill coccinellids Coleomegilla maculata, Hippodamia convergens, and Harmonia axyridis.