Effect of botanically derived pesticides on mirid pests and beneficials in apple

Mirid bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) are important pests in apple and pear production in both Europe and the United States. Mirids feed on sap in shoot tips, flower buds and fruitlets, resulting in deformation and stony pits in the fruit. Due to withdrawal of pesticides and concern about the environment alternative control methods against capsids are needed. In this study the effect of neem extract (NeemAzal), garlic extract (Ecoguard), vegetable oil (soybean or rapeseed) and kaolin (Surround) were evaluated for their effect on populations and damage of mirids in apples. Results show that neem extract is a promising alternative, giving as good control of mirid damage as several synthetic pesticides. Kaolin, garlic extract and vegetable oil did not significantly reduce damage. Many omnivorous species were present in the experimental orchards, and a positive correlation between the numbers sampled and fruit damage indicated that several of them could be pests.