Sub-lethal effects of a copper sulfate fungicide on development and reproduction in three coccinellid species

Abstract

Citrus production has long relied on copper-based fungicides for disease control (Winston et al., 1923) and copper is still the most widely used fungicide in Florida citrus (McCoy et al., 2003). Cost is an important factor in the selection of control measures, and copper fungicides remain cheap and effective relative to many alternatives. Modern strobilurin fungicides such as azoxystrobin and fenbuconazole are also effective against many of the diseases controlled by copper-based fungicides, but concerns about resistance development limit their recommended application rate to once per year in a given grove (2003 Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide, 2003). The need to rotate these compounds with others of different modes of action frequently leads to the inclusion of copper in disease management programs.