Influence of Admire and Platinum on the Population Growth of the Lettuce Aphid Under Field Conditions

Abstract

Studies to examine lettuce aphid population growth on Admire and Platinum treated plants were conducted on head lettuce at the Yuma Agricultural Center. By artificially infesting plants on several lettuce plantings during the spring, the influence of insecticide residual and temperature were measured. Results of five field trials suggest that both Admire and Platinum can have a significant influence on lettuce aphid population growth. Depending on timing of infestation and insecticide residual, significant suppression of population growth can result from the application of these compounds. Infestations initiated at 28 d following Admire application initially resulted in minimal population growth, but later allowed aphids to reproduce at high numbers. In both cases, Admire provided about 90% control of the lettuce aphid population. However, aphid infestations occurring at later periods of plant residual almost always resulted in higher population development. In addition, these studies also support conclusions drawn form last season that suggested lettuce aphid population growth is greatest when ambient temperatures average between 65-70 ºF.