General Information on Pyrethrum, Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids

Pyrethrum and Pyrethrins

Pyrethrum is a natural insecticide derived from 100% African Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium flowers, but also in C. coccineum and C. marshalli flowers (members of the daisy or aster family). They are perennial plants with a daisy-like appearance and white flowers. The flowers possess insecticidal properties. Pyrethrum has been used for centuries as an insecticide and as a lice remedy. Because it decomposes rapidly in the environment, pyrethrum has been approved for a wide range of indoor and outdoor uses, including homes, restaurants, broad-scale spraying operations, and organic farms. 

Since it is considered non-synthetic, pyrethrum is allowed in some countries for organic home gardens. Preventive, cultural, mechanical and physical methods must be first choice for pest control, and conditions for use of a biological or botanical material must be documented in the organic system plan. 

Pyrethrum is most productive at altitudes of above 1600 metres and ideally in semi-arid conditions where the winter is cool. On richer soils the insecticidal properties are reduced. The content of the active substances increases with altitude and cooler average temperatures. 

You will often find pyrethrum mixed with a synergist such as piperonyl butoxide (PBO). PBO gives pyrethrum an added "kick" that makes it more effective against insects. Products containing PBO are not approved for organic production. 

Formulations and application guidelines: 

Pyrethrum is sometimes available blended with rotenone to increase the range of pests controlled (i.e. flea beetles) and perhaps efficacy. However, mixing insecticides against a specific target insect is not recommended because it will promote the development of resistance. Currently, none of these mixtures is approved for organic-farming.

Liquid formulations typically contain 0.1-6% pyrethrum and up to 60% PBO (not permitted in organic culture); dusts contain 0.2-0.4% pyrethrum.

Application tips: 

Care should be taken not to mix pyrethrum with lime, sulphur, or soap solutions, since pyrethrum is broken down by both acid and alkaline conditions. 

Pyrethrum is rapidly broken down by sunlight. Use of UV-inhibiting adjuvants may allow for a longer period of control. Growers should decide whether the advantage of having a longer activity period for pyrethrum to protect the crop from reinfestations is appropriate for their management system, or would be a concern for its negative impact on beneficial species. 

Since pyrethrum is a contact poison the target pest must be present and hit by the spray. Flying insects such as cucumber beetle should be sprayed early in the morning when they are sluggish and bee pollinators are not present. 

Pyrethrins

Pyrethrins are the six constituent compounds with insecticidal properties that occur in these Chrysanthemum species. The pyrethrum daisy is native to southwest Asia. Kenya is the leading producer of pyrethrum followed by Australia. 

In Kenya, the active ingredients from the pyrethrum plants, are commercially available in most places under different commercial names such as "Flower-DS(r)". They are broad spectrum insect nerve poisons approved for controlling pests on flowers, fruits and vegetables in the garden and greenhouse. They can be used to control most aphids, cabbage loopers, leafhoppers, spider mites, stink bugs, thrips and whiteflies. 

Pyrethrins are effective in controlling weevil and normally recommended, but not accepted if sales are planned under organic systems. 

Py-Mack, is a by-product of the pyrethrin manufacturing industry, and is used as cattle feed. Most of the pyrethrins have been extracted, but enough remains that py-mack can be used as cutworm bait, and in treating early attacks of maize stalkborer. Feeding livestock py-mack is also said to reduce incidence of intestinal worms. 

Efficacy 
Older studies: Pyrethrum is a broad-spectrum insecticide used to control true bugs, caterpillars, beetles, aphids, flies, mites, whiteflies, thrips and leafhoppers (Casida, 1973). Within these groups, pests may have a greater or lesser susceptibility to pyrethrum products. Specific pest species controlled by pyrethrum as noted in the older literature include potato leafhopper, beet leafhopper, cabbage looper, celery leaf tier, Say's stink bug, twelve-spotted cucumber beetle, six-spotted leafhopper, lygus bugs on peaches, grape thrips, flower thrips, grape leafhopper, and cranberry fruitworm. It was not considered particularly effective against flea beetles, imported cabbageworm, diamondback moth, aphids on spinach or lygus bugs on alfalfa (Casida 1973).

Recent studies: A summary of recent university field trials of pyrethrum products on vegetable crops commonly grown in the Northeast USA was compiled. These university-based trials typically tested products with untreated buffer rows and other conditions that create unusually severe pest pressure.

The level of pest control is likely to be higher on fields in which a good program of cultural controls has been implemented. 
 

Pyrethroids

Note: In contrary to the above mentioned natural extracts, pyrethroids are of the worst and most persistent pesticides!
Pyrethroids are synthetic compounds whose structure and mode of action are similar to pyrethrins but they are not approved for use in organic production. There are many pyrethroids e.g. Ambush(r), Ammo(r), Aztec(r), Pounce(r) and Warrior (r).