Jv. Cross et al., CHEMICAL CONTROL OF VINE WEEVIL LARVAE ON CONTAINER-GROWN HARDY ORNAMENTAL NURSERY STOCK 1986-1989, Annals of Applied Biology, 127(3), 1995, pp. 533-542
In a search for alternatives to the former standard aldrin compost inc
orporation treatment for control of vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus
) larvae on container-grown hardy ornamental nursery stock, a series o
f 87 tests of insecticides were done at four experimental centres of t
he ADAS (Leeds, Reading, Wolverhampton and Wye) from 1986 to 1989. Ins
ecticidally-treated plants and untreated controls were artificially in
fested with vine weevil eggs at varying intervals before and after tre
atment, and the survival of the pest was assessed. Aldrin treatment ga
ve consistent and excellent preventive control of vine weevil larvae f
or over 2 years. Of the candidate materials tested, a slow-release gra
nular formulation of chlorpyrifos incorporated into compost at a dose
rate of 100 g a.i. m(-3) of compost gave good control for up to 34 wk
after treatment (the longest period evaluated) and a micro-encapsulate
d slow release formulation of fonofos incorporated at a dose rate of 4
3.3 g a.i. m(-3) usually gave good control for up to two years (the lo
ngest period evaluated). Surface applications of these two organophosp
hates or of carbofuran granules, though sometimes effective, were unre
liable as either preventive or remedial treatments even for short term
control.