Selectivity list of plant protection products on beneficial arthropods in potato

Abstract: Beneficial arthropods, as aphid predators and parasites, are the key of an effective
aphid control in potato. However, these insects are exposed to plant protection products applied during the season, especially fungicides used to control the late blight and insecticides used to control aphids and the Colorado beetle. The conservation of natural enemies’ population by the use of products that are selective for them is required in the context of IPM.
From 1996 to 2002, a research program has been initiated in order to develop tools to
establish pesticide selectivity lists. These tools were first used to build pesticide selectivity list in Potato (2004) and field produced vegetables (2006). The list used in potato are based on
ecotoxicology trials performed on the main aphid natural enemy found in potato in Belgium: the parasitic wasp Aphidius rhopalosiphi (De Stefani-Perez) (Hym.; Aphidiidae) and larvae of the predators Adalia bipunctata L. (Col.; Coccinellidae) and Episyrphus balteatus (Degeer) (Dipt.; Syrphidae). The results are crossed with the phenology of these beneficial to deliver a selectivity list easy to use to the farmers, with products rated from green (selective) to red (non-selective) by period of application.
The lists are diffused to the farmers yearly by the organisms in charge of the advisory systems and also used for several guidance document (IPM, specific labels, etc…). They are regularly update to include all changes in the list of product available, as compounds that are newly registered and old one that are removed. The last update (2012) is presented in this poster, with a short presentation of the methodology.