- [Narrator] This video
provides basic information
about botanical insecticides.
USDA provides a three-tiered
pest management standard
for organic crop production
that consists of
systems-based practices, mechanical methods,
and biorational insecticides.
Botanical insecticides
are derived from plants
and well known for their
broad spectrum efficacy.
Pyrethrin's are one of the
oldest and most widely sold
botanical insecticides in the world.
Their derived from the
flowers of chrysanthemum.
Pyrethrin is a stomach poison, that is,
insects have to consume the
product to cause quick kill.
PyGanic is an approved organic product.
Pyrethrin is a broad spectrum
insecticide that is very
effective against small-sized
and immature insect pests.
Apply only when caterpillars are small
and keep repeating at weekly intervals.
Please follow the insecticide label.
Tank mixes and commercial
premixes of Pyrethrin
also provide good insect control
with consistent application and coverage.
This picture shows the efficacy of Pyrethrin
in high-pest pressured condition in the late season.
Untreated check plots had
over 90% fruit damage,
almost total crop lost.
Neem is well known for its
activity as an insect repellent,
feeding deterrent, and growth regulator.
Some neem-based insecticides
contain the active ingredient
azadirachtin, for example,
Neemix and Molt-X.
Neem oil and soap formulations
may only have traces
of the active ingredient.
Neem is the only approved
insecticide that has systemic
activity inside the plants.
When applied through
drip irrigation system,
neem reduced lettuce aphids by over 50%.
However the effort of foliar application
is much more visible in most crops.
Azadirachtin-based products
are effective at low pest
populations against small caterpillars
upon repeated spraying.
In Alabama research studies,
neem product Molt-X, tank-mixed
with BotaniGard or Suffoil,
provided good control
of aphids on collards.
Tank-mixes with other
products should be checked
for compatibility and final toxicity.
Please consult the
insecticide label for specific
restrictions to tank-mixes.
Now let us discuss some
minor botanical pesticides.
Rotenone is derived from the
roots of Derris plants grown
in South East Asia, and it
acts as a stomach poison.
Rotenone-based insecticides
are not OMRI approved
and some products are sold
as restricted use pesticides.
Rotenone is highly toxic to fish.
Sabadilla is an alkaloid
derived from the seeds
of the sabadilla lily.
Sabadilla is a contact and stomach poison.
It is toxic to bees and
products are not OMRI approved
for vegetable production.
One product called
Veratran D is sold by MGK
for thrips control in fruit crops.
Other minor botanical pesticides
include ryania and nicotine
which cause rapid neuro-muscular
effects in insects.
Products containing
pure ryania and nicotine
are hard to find in retail stores.
Both these botanicals
are not organic approved.
They have a moderate to
high mammalian toxicity
so their use is discouraged
in home garden and farm.
It is interesting to
note the varying toxicity
of botanicals.
As stated earlier, products
with significant side effects
like Rotenone are not organic approved.
Pyrethrum and Neem are both
EPA class three pesticides
that are sold as commercial products.
Always read the insecticide
label before purchase.
Botanical insecticides
have non-target effects.
Although these products
don't have long persistence
in the crop or environment.
Check your crop for the level of pest
and natural enemy populations.
Never apply botanical
insecticides directly
over the top of natural enemies.
Botanical insecticides should
be applied during evening hours
when pollinators are not present.
Let the insecticides to
dry out on the foliage.
Insecticides can also
be sprayed on hot spots
to minimize pesticide usage.
Treating the underside of leaves,
exposes the hiding pests to insecticides
and also increases the
persistence of products.
For additional information,
please refer to these
insecticide and crop
production publications
available online.
Watch the other videos and
the organic insecticide CD's
for advanced knowledge.
Please consult a Regional Extension Agent
for proper insect identification
and for an
integrated pest management strategy
suitable for your farm or garden.
