Effect on Beneficial Insects of Three Insecticide Mixtures Applied for Cotton-Insect Control in 1954

Experiments to determine the effect on beneficial insects and spiders of insecticides applied for the control of cotton insects were begun in 1953 (Gaines 1954). In a continuation of this work in 1954 tests were made with three dust mixtures—toxaphene plus sulfur, dieldrin plus DDT and sulfur, and BHC plus DDT and sulfur. Eight applications were made from July 15 to August 24, the first six by airplane and the last two with a tractor duster. The mixtures were applied at the average rate of 10.9 pounds per acre-application in two fields and 12.6 pounds in a third field.