SELECTIVE TOXICITY OF 3 SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS TO 8 COCCINELLIDS, A EULOPHID PARASITOID, AND 2 PEST CHRYSOMELIDS

The toxicities of 3 synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, and fenvalerate) were determined for 8 species of predaceous coccinellids, 2 pest chrysomelids (northern com rootworm and cereal leaf beetle) and a hymenopteran parasitoid of the cereal leaf beetle, as topical LD50's or contact LC50's. All species were collected from com or oat fields. Two of the pyrethroids, permethrin and fenvalerate, demonstrated selectivity in favor of most of the coccinellid species, while cypermethrin was more active against the ladybird beetles than the pest chrysomelids. All 3 pyrethroids were considerably more toxic to the parasitoid than to its chrysomelid host. © 1979 Entomological Society of America.