Effects of conventional and dropleg insecticide application techniques on pests during flowering of oilseed rape

We conducted two years field experiments in Germany comparing conventional and dropleg spraying techniques. We found slightly reduced efficacy of dropleg spraying of Biscaya and Mavrik on oilseed rape at BBCH growth stage 65 (full flowering) against insect pests (Meligethes aeneus, Ceutorhynchus pallidactylus, C. obstrictus and Dasineura brassicae). The dropleg technique therefore seems suitable for control of insect pests during the flowering stage of oilseed rape, when exposure for bees and other pollinators needs to be minimized. When testing Biscaya and Mavrik in 2015, the latter had lower efficiency.