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Agriculture

Pyrethroids Demonstrate Effective Insecticidal Activity Against Ambrosia Beetles in Tree Fruit, Nut, and Ornamental Production Systems

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) have conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate the efficacy of various insecticides against ambrosia beetles in tree fruit, nut, and ornamental production systems. The study, published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, highlights the importance of using pyrethroid insecticides as a reliable tool to prevent ambrosia beetle infestations in these vulnerable trees.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus crassiusculus and Xylosandrus germanus are major pests in fruit, nut, and ornamental tree nurseries, causing significant economic losses.
  • The current management approach relies on trunk applications of permethrin and bifenthrin, but the efficacy of other insecticides has not been thoroughly evaluated.
  • Fourteen trials were conducted in different regions to evaluate the efficacy of various synthetic and biological or microbial insecticides.
  • Only 5 pyrethroids (permethrin, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin) reduced the numbers of entry holes in ethanol-infused bolts, with permethrin and bifenthrin showing consistent and superior effectiveness.
  • Dinotefuran significantly reduced ambrosia beetle attacks in one trial, while other insecticides such as spinosad, sulfoxaflor + spinetoram, and chlorantraniliprole did not show significant reductions in beetle attacks.
  • Among insecticidal and biological products, only pyrethroid insecticides protect vulnerable trees by reducing entry holes from Xylosandrus spp. and remain a reliable tool for preventing their infestation.

Statistics:

  • 14 trails were conducted in different regions to evaluate the efficacy of various insecticides (p 5620).
  • 5 pyrethroids (permethrin, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin) reduced the numbers of entry holes in ethanol-infused bolts (p 5620).
  • Permethrin and bifenthrin showed consistent and superior effectiveness in reducing ambrosia beetle attacks (p 5620).
  • Dinotefuran significantly reduced ambrosia beetle attacks in 1 trial (p 5620).
  • 24 active ingredients were tested in the trials (p 5620).
  • Only 5 pyrethroids demonstrated effective insecticidal activity against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (p 5620).

Sources:

  • Pyrethroids demonstrate effective insecticidal activity against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) within tree fruit, nut, and ornamental production systems. Journal of Economic Entomology, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Studies in the Area of Economic Entomology Reported from U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) [Pyrethroids demonstrate effective insecticidal activity against ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: ...]. Chemicals & Chemistry. September 19, 2025; p 5620.

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