Research Article Received: 22 October 2012 Revised: 1 March 2013 Accepted article published: 13 June 2013 Published online in Wiley Online Library: (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/ps.3593 Laboratory evaluation of alternative control methods against the false tiger, Monosteira unicostata (Hemiptera: Tingidae) † Ismael S ´ anchez-Ramos, * Susana Pascual, Ar ´ anzazu Marcotegui, Cristina E. Fern ´ andez and Manuel Gonz ´ alez-N ´ u˜ nez Abstract BACKGROUND: Monosteira unicostata is an important pest of almond tree in the Mediterranean region requiring control methods alternative to synthetic pesticides. The efficacy of kaolin, azadirachtin and potassium salts of fatty acids combined with thyme essential oil against adults and fourth instar nymphs of this tingid was evaluated in laboratory assays. RESULTS: In no choice assays with adults, kaolin significantly increased mortality compared to control (42.7% versus 23.8%) and reduced the oviposition of females (11.8 versus 35.3 eggs), the feeding activity (169.6 versus 471.2 excrements) and the damage caused (1.1 versus 2.3 damage index). In choice assays with adults, the repellence index calculated for kaolin (48.2%) was significantly higher compared to control (-15.3%), resulting in oviposition, feeding and damage deterrence indices also significantly higher than the control. In no choice assays with nymphs, all products increased mortality and reduced the feeding activity and the damage caused on leaves. Potassium soap with thyme essential oil and azadirachtin were the most effective compounds (98.0% and 97.6% mortality versus 13.3% control mortality, respectively). CONCLUSION: The products tested have shown high and different efficacy on nymphs and adults of Monosteira unicostata. This activity might be suitable for the practical application of these compounds to control its populations under real field conditions. c  2013 Society of Chemical Industry Keywords: kaolin; azadirachtin; potassium salts of fatty acids; thyme essential oil 1 INTRODUCTION The false tiger or poplar lace bug, Monosteira unicostata (Mulsant & Rey), is a tingid with Mediterranean distribution 1,2 that has been described as one of the most important pests of almond tree. 3 – 8 This species also attacks other fruit trees such as cherry tree, peach tree, plum tree, pear tree and forest trees like poplar, willow or cypress. 4,6,9 – 13 Following their life cycle, overwintering adults of Monosteira unicostata move in spring from their winter refugees under fallen leaves, in the bark of the trees or in the wild plants to young almond leaves. 4,6,7,14 Adults are the most mobile stages and the ones that start the infestation. The nymph stage consists of five nymphal instars that show a more sedentary and gregarious behaviour. 1,10,12 This insect lives on the lower side of the leaves feeding on them and producing serious damage. Damage caused by feeding weaken the leaves that turn yellow and often fall early reducing the development and maturation of the fruits. 1,4,6,9 This can produce negative consequences for the following year’s production too. 4 Also, excrements, honeydew and exuvia accumulate on the leaves, reducing the gas exchange. 1,6,9 Finally, since the eggs are laid inside the parenchyma of the leaves, 1,9 the cracks produced due to oviposition allow the penetration of fungi and bacteria. 9 The greatest damage is made by the third generation, when the population size is maximum. 6,7,9 According to different authors, Monosteira unicostata is effectively controlled in conventional and integrated production systems with organophosphorus, pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides. 4,5,7,11 However, there is an increasing concern about the health and environmental risks derived from the application of this type of products that has led to a strong demand in the reduction of its use. 15 Thus, safer alternative methods must be investigated to effectively control this pest. Some of these possible alternatives are natural insecticides of plant origin (like azadirachtin or essential oils), potassium soaps and particle film technology. These products have also the advantage of being allowed by European Union directives to be used in organic crops, 16 a type of agriculture that is becoming more popular every year due to the increasing demand of organic products by consumers. ∗ Correspondence to: Ismael S´ anchez-Ramos, Entomology Group, Plant Protection Department, Instituto Nacional de Investigaci´ on y Tecnolog´ ıa Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera de La Coru˜ na Km 7,5, 28040 Madrid, Spain. E-mail: ismael@inia.es † Part of this work was presented at the VI Congreso Nacional de Entomolog´ ıa Aplicada, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, 19 – 23 October 2009. Entomology Group, Plant Protection Department, Instituto Nacional de Investigaci´ on y Tecnolog´ ı a Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Carretera de La Coru ˜ na Km 7,5, 28040 Madrid, Spain Pest Manag Sci (2013) www.soci.org c  2013 Society of Chemical Industry