Control of Red and Green Morphs of Tobacco Aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) in Flue-Cured Tobacco

Control of red and green morphs of the tobacco aphid, Myzus nicotianae Blackman, was investigated in field and laboratory tests on flue-cured tobacco in Georgia during 1987–1989. Acephate provided good control of both morphs at 0.75 and 0.5 lbs. AI/acre, and fair to poor control of both morphs at 0.25 and 0.125 lbs. AI/acre. Methomyl, endosulfan, and Endocide Plus (endosulfan plus parathion) also provided effective control of both morphs. Malathion, oxamyl, and tralomethrin provided significantly better control of the green morph than the red morph. Microencapsulated methyl parathion was totally ineffective in controlling either green or red color forms. In laboratory tests, the residual activity of acephate provided high mortality and a reduction in live nymphs produced for up to 14 days after application for both morphs, although these effects were more pronounced with green aphids. The residual activity of methomyl had no adverse effects on either morph 3 days after treatment.