Supervised control of aphids and caterpillars on white cabbage and impact of flower strips

Abstract: In 2008 and 2009 various selective insecticides were investigated for efficacy against different caterpillar species [mainly Mamestra brassicae (L.), Pieris rapae (L.) and Plutella xylostella (L.)] and the cabbage aphid [Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)]. Furthermore, the side effects of the applied insecticides against beneficials as well as the impact of a flower strip on one side of the experimental field on pests and natural enemies were evaluated. For controlling caterpillars, insecticides with the active ingredients Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai (XenTari® 1 kg/ha), metaflumizone (Alverde® 250 ml/ha), chlorantraniliprole / rynaxypyr (Coragen® 200 ml/ha), indoxacarb (Steward® 85 g/ha) and spinosad (SpinTor® 200 ml/ha) were applied. Plants were treated with the active ingredients flonicamid (Teppeki® 160 g/ha), pirimicarb (Pirimor® 250 g/ha), pymetrozin (Plenum® 50 WG 400 g/ha) and spirotetramat (Movento® 480 ml/ha) against the cabbage aphid. The pesticides were applied in a fortnightly interval after the corresponding action threshold for caterpillars and aphids was exceeded. During one cultivation period, on average 3 to 5 insecticide applications were necessary to control caterpillars and 2 to 3 applications against aphids.