Trade Names of Pesticides Commonly Used for Control of Vegetable Pests

Organic Controls for Common Insect Pests of Vegetables

Click here: Suppliers of Beneficial Organisms in North America for a listing of names, addresses and phone numbers of suppliers of beneficial organisms.

The following table contains a listing of organic products, predators & some parasites used in the control of vegetable pests.

PRODUCT

INSECTS CONTROLLED

REMARKS

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) variety kurstaki

Most caterpillars, loopers, hornworms and bagworms.

This product is sold under many trade names including DiPel, Javelin, M-Peril and Thuricide. Bt usually works well but its results are not quickly observable; caterpillars get sick the first day and die later.

Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelensis

This strain of Bt is effective against fly larvae such as those of mosquitoes and fungus gnats.

Sold under many trade names including Bactimos and Gnatrol.

Bacillus thuringiensis variety san diego

This new strain of Bt is effective against coleopterous (beetle) larvae.

M-One, M-Track, Foil, Novodor are common trade names of Bt var. kurstaki

Insecticidal soap

Works well on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, mites and mealybugs.

This product, a fatty acid soap, is available under many trade names; Safer Soap and M-Pede are two common ones.

Rotenone

Many garden insect pests including Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, aphids, weevils, and Mexican bean beetles.

Usually sold as a dust, but some formulations can be mixed in water.

Pyrethrin

A broad spectrum insecticide, works on a wide variety of insects.

Usually sold mixed with other botanical insecticides such as rotenone.

Sabadilla

Stink bugs, cucumber beetles, caterpillars, loopers, leafhoppers and thrips.

Sabadilla is a product from the seed of a plant related to lillies.

Pyrethrum/diatomaceous earth

Many insects including white flies, aphids, caterpillars, fly maggots and fire ants.

See label for precautions.

BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS

INSECTS ATTACKED

REMARKS

Lady beetles

Aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

Lady beetles may leave the garden to find other prey.

Lacewings

Aphids, scales, mealybugs and other soft-bodied insects.

Immature lacewings are called aphidlions. Most are Chrysoperla spp.

Predatory mites

Mostly spider mites.

Release approximately 2 per square foot. Phytoseiulus persimilus will work in most situations.

Predatory nematodes

Many ground dwelling and boring insect pests.

These nematodes will actively seek host prey and do not harm plants or humans.

Parasitic wasps

Many insect pests on the foliage including caterpillars and whiteflies.

Trichogramma wasps work well on many caterpillars. Encarsia formosa works on whiteflies.

Developed by Eric R. Day, Manager, Insect Identification Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech

If you have questions or comments about this page, or notice errors, please send us a note. Be sure to include your location (State) and mailing address. Or, you can contact my office at: Insect Identification Lab, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0319. Please let us know how you heard about this World Wide Web page.

Revised 04/20/01

PRODUCT	INSECTS CONTROLLED	REMARKS
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) variety kurstaki	Most caterpillars, loopers, hornworms and bagworms.	This product is sold under many trade names including DiPel, Javelin, M-Peril and Thuricide. Bt usually works well but its results are not quickly observable; caterpillars get sick the first day and die later.
Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelensis	This strain of Bt is effective against fly larvae such as those of mosquitoes and fungus gnats.	Sold under many trade names including Bactimos and Gnatrol.
Bacillus thuringiensis variety san diego	This new strain of Bt is effective against coleopterous (beetle) larvae.	M-One, M-Track, Foil, Novodor are common trade names of Bt var. kurstaki
Insecticidal soap	Works well on soft-bodied insects, particularly aphids, mites and mealybugs.	This product, a fatty acid soap, is available under many trade names; Safer Soap and M-Pede are two common ones.
Rotenone	Many garden insect pests including Colorado potato beetles, flea beetles, aphids, weevils, and Mexican bean beetles.	Usually sold as a dust, but some formulations can be mixed in water.
Pyrethrin	A broad spectrum insecticide, works on a wide variety of insects.	Usually sold mixed with other botanical insecticides such as rotenone.
Sabadilla	Stink bugs, cucumber beetles, caterpillars, loopers, leafhoppers and thrips.	Sabadilla is a product from the seed of a plant related to lillies.
Pyrethrum/diatomaceous earth	Many insects including white flies, aphids, caterpillars, fly maggots and fire ants.	See label for precautions.
BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS	INSECTS ATTACKED	REMARKS
Lady beetles	Aphids and other soft-bodied insects.	Lady beetles may leave the garden to find other prey.
Lacewings	Aphids, scales, mealybugs and other soft-bodied insects.	Immature lacewings are called aphidlions. Most are Chrysoperla spp.
Predatory mites	Mostly spider mites.	Release approximately 2 per square foot. Phytoseiulus persimilus will work in most situations.
Predatory nematodes	Many ground dwelling and boring insect pests.	These nematodes will actively seek host prey and do not harm plants or humans.
Parasitic wasps	Many insect pests on the foliage including caterpillars and whiteflies.	Trichogramma wasps work well on many caterpillars. Encarsia formosa works on whiteflies.