Imidachloprid as a Protectant for Endangered Plants Attacked by Sophonia rufofascia

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of the systemic insecticide imidachloprid (Marathon® 1% granular) against the two-spotted leafhopper, Sophonia rufofascia (Kuoh and Kuoh). A high (3.3 ml) and low (1.6 ml) rate of imidachloprod was applied to the endangered Hawaiian plant Munroidendron racemosum (Forbes) Sherff in 30.5 cm pots. Early nymphal stages of S. rufofascia were placed on plants at 5, 12, 25, 37, and 50 d after application and counted 24 h later. At the high rate, leafhopper mortality was >80% for more than 5 wk. Imidachloprid is potentially a valuable tool for pest management of rare and endangered species in botanical gardens and in the wild.