This document provides an overview of botanical insecticides for vegetable production, detailing their sources, applications, and effectiveness against target pests. Key insecticides discussed include pyrethrin, neem, rotenone, and sabadilla, each with specific usage guidelines and potential toxicity to non-target organisms. Recommendations for managing non-target effects include rotating products and careful application timing.

1. BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES FOR
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
ORGANIC IPM – PART 1
By
Ayanava Majumdar
Ext. Entomologist
251-331-8416
William East
Regional Extension Agent
Neil Kelly
Regional Extension Agent

2. What are BOTANICAL insecticides?
Insect toxins derived from certain plants.
Quick action on target pests.
Broad spectrum action (non-selective).
Do not persist in the environment.
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3. PYRETHRIN: BASICS
• Derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium
• Caution: Do not mix with soap!
• Examples: PyGanic (5% EC, OMRI-approved), EverGreen
(6% EC)
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4. PYRETHRIN: TARGET APPLICATION
• Target insects: Aphids, cucumber beetles, caterpillars...
• Best used against small-sized and immature insects.
• Short residual – reapply frequently!
• Add synergist like PBO to increase efficacy.
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5. Fruit quality with Pyganic (pyrethrum)
(Cullman, AL, 2012)
Untreated check Pyganic foliar
90% fruit
damage
30% fruit
damage

6. NEEM: BASICS
• Derived from the seeds of Azadirachta indica.
• Active ingredient is azadirachtin.
• Available as azadirachtin-containing products, oils & soaps.
• Examples: Neemix, Molt-X (farm products), Monterey
Neem Oil (garden use)
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7. NEEM: TARGET APPLICATION
• Neem has systemic properties; reduced lettuce aphids
on seedlings (Palumbo et al. 2001).
• Best against immature insects as foliar spray.
• Tank-mix & premixes are also effective.
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8. Aphid control in Collards using Neem Tank-mix
(Brewton, AL, 2010)
Arthropod Management Tests, 2012, Vol. 37
Neem or Molt-X tank-mixed at full rate with BotaniGard
(microbial) or Suffoil-X (paraffinic oil) gave good aphid control.

9. ROTENONE: BASICS
• Derived from Derris roots. Organic approved till 2005.
• Caution: Extremely toxic to fish.
• Products with 1% rotenone are available commercially
but are difficult to find.
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10. SABADILLA
• Derived from the seeds of sabadilla lily.
• Good activity against thrips and other pests.
• Examples: Veratran D (0.2%) – on fruit crops.
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11. 11
OTHER BOTANICAL PESTICIDES
• Ryania: Derived from
Ryania speciosa
• Slow acting stomach
poison.
• Commercial products are
difficult to find. Example:
Ryanicide with 0.2%
ryania (Progressive Agri-
Systems, PA).
• Prohibited by NOP.
RYANIA
• Nicotine: Derived from
tobacco (Nicotiana
tabacum). Formulations
may have 40% nicotine
sulfate.
• High mammalian
toxicity restricts
marketing.
• Prohibited by NOP.
NICOTINE

12. VARYING TOXICITY OF BOTANICALS
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U.S. EPA Toxicity
Categories
Class 3: Pyrethrum,
Neem
“CAUTION” on Label
Organic Approved
Class 1: Nicotine
“DANGER” on Label
Prohibited Substance
Oral LD50 (rats)
Pyrethrins:
1,200 mg/kg
Neem:
13,000 mg/kg

13. • Botanical insecticides are broad-spectrum.
• Many botanicals are toxic to fish (rotenone,
pyrethrin).
• Direct contact of pollinators with pyrethrin
can be fatal.
• Neem can be toxic to the immature stages of
beneficial species (e.g., lady beetle).
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NON-TARGET EFFECTS

14. • Rotate botanicals with
softer products.
• Avoid direct spray over
beneficial insects.
• Spray at evening hours
when bees are inactive.
• Direct your spray to the
underside of leaves.
• Let the product dry out to
reduce toxicity.
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HOW TO REDUCE NON-TARGET EFFECTS?

15. • Insecticides for Organic Commercial and
Backyard Vegetable Production, ANR-
1428. [Online]
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR
-1428/ANR-1428.pdf
• Pest Management in High Tunnel Crop
Production, ANR-1432. [Online]
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR
-1432/ANR-1432.pdf
• Consult a Regional Extension Agent for
designing an optimal trap cropping
system with accurate pest insect
identification.
Additional Publications

16. Acknowledgment
• Commercial Horticulture IPM Team: Mike
Reeves, James Miles, Doug Chapman, Neil
Kelly, Chip East, Bethany O’Rear, Gary Gray
• Home Ground IPM Team: Chris Becker, Willie
Datcher, Mike McQueen, Sallie Lee, Ellen
Huckabay

17. FUNDING AGENCIES