Effects of a broad spectrum and biorational insecticides on parasitoids ofthe Nantucket pine tip moth (Lepidoptera : Tortricidae)

We examined effects of aerial application of acephate (Orthene), Bacillus t huringiensis variety kurstaki Berliner (Foray), and tebufenozide (Mimic) on larval/pupal parasitoids of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustr ana (Comstock), in the southwestern Georgia coastal plain. Parasitism of ti p moths in acephate-treated plots was significantly lower than in untreated plots. Bacillus thuringiensis and tebufenozide showed no significant effec ts on parasitism. A tachinid, Lixophaga mediocris Aldrich, comprised a sign ificantly greater proportion of emerging parasitoids in acephate-treated th an in untreated control plots, whereas a chalcidid, Haltichella rhyacioniae Gahan, was less abundant in the acephate-treated plots. Acephate has a neg ative, but somewhat species-specific, impact on tip moth parasitism.