The pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae (Passerini) (Homoptera: Aphididae) is one of the most important pests in Egypt on pomegranate trees. The study presented in this paper was conducted from 2012 to 2013 to compare the efficiency and selectivity of neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran), organophosphate (malathion) and carbamate (pirimicarb) insecticides against pomegranate aphid and the associated predators, Coccinella undecimpunctata Linnaeus, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) and Syrphus corolla Fabricius. These insecticides significantly reduced the pomegranate aphid population by an average of between 70.6 and 90.7%. The effects persisted for up to 15 days after the end of treatment. The greatest control of A. punicae was achieved by thiamethoxam > acetamiprid > imidacloprid > pirimicarb > dinotefuran > malathion. Acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, malathion and pirimicarb were harmful to predators and the observed reduction ranged from 75.4 to 100% and dinotefuran was moderately harmful to lacewings with an average reduction about 64.4%. These results suggested that the neonicotinoid insecticides can be considered as promising candidates for controlling the pomegranate aphid as, although they do have harmful to moderately harmful effects on predators, they are significantly less toxic to these beneficial organisms than malathion and pirimicarb.

Effect of several insecticides on pomegranate aphid, Aphis punicae (Passerini) (Homoptera: Aphididae) and its predators under field conditions. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274695746_Effect_of_several_in… [accessed Jun 9, 2015].