Effect of integrating Lindorus lopanthae and select insecticides for control of pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae)

This research was conducted to determine the efficacy of selected insecticides on pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) and their residual effect on releases of green lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla rufilabris) and lindorus adults (Lindorus lophanthae) at 1 and 13 DAT in an augmentative biological control program. All compounds (bifenthrin, pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen, oil, spirotetramat) except for water substantially reduced populations of C. pinifoliae. Bifenthrin caused substantial mortality of C. rufilabris and L. lophanthae at 1 and 13 DAT.  Oil caused mortality of L. lophanthae at 1 DAT, but not at 13 DAT.  Residues of pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen and spirotetramat did not affect predator mortality at 1 and 13 DAT when compared to water. In conclusion, C. rufilabris and L. lophanthae can be safely released release one day after the application of pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen and spirotetramat. In contrast, our findings suggest that the predators can be safely released two week after an application of oil and more than two weeks after an application of bifenthrin. More work is needed to refine these timings.