No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The abundance and ecological diversity of selected groups of beneficial arthropods were compared between 16 organic and 17 conventional carrot (Daucus carota L.) fields in the Manawatu (North Island) and Canterbury and Nelson (South Island) areas of New Zealand using a suction sampler. Organic fields had significantly higher numbers of Hymenoptera: Parasitica, Staphylinidae (Coleoptera), and Neuroptera (Hemerobiidae) compared with conventional fields. Organic fields also had a significantly more diverse predatory and parasitic community than did conventional fields, as measured by the "Sequential Comparison Index". The implications of these results for biological control of pests in conventional and organic crops are discussed.

Tomato/potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) was first recorded in New Zealand in 2006 and is now a significant pest of solanaceous crops in both glasshouses and fields Given the potential impact of this insect and its associated pathogen(s) on crop yields immediate control options are required Thirteen insecticides were selected for testing In laboratory bioassays insecticides were applied at recommended field rates as a spray (12 chemicals) or a seedling drench (1 chemical) The recorded mortality of tomato/potato psyllid nymphs 48 h after spraying with dichlorvos lambdacyhalothrin methomyl taufluvalinate methamidophos and abamectin was 98100 After 168 h applications of azadirachtin spiromesifen abamectin spirotetramat and thiacloprid gave 82100 mortality while buprofezin pymetrozine and imidacloprid drench gave 3653 mortality of nymphs Further tests are required to confirm the efficacy under cropping conditions