Distribution and activity of spray deposits in an oak canopy following aerial application of diluted and undiluted formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Abstract The distribution and biological activity of spray deposits resulting from aerial applications of diluted and undiluted Bacillus thuringiensis, ‘Dipel 64AF’ against the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar L., were examined in oak stands in south‐eastern Ontario, Canada. The sprays were applied by fixed‐wing aircraft equipped with four ‘Micronair AU4000’ atomizers. Application of diluted formulation at 30 BIU ha−1 in 6.0–6.4 litre generally resulted in a higher droplet density (10–28 cm −2 leaf) than application of undiluted product at the same dosage rate in 1.8 litre ha−1 (4–10 cm −2). However, spray deposits of undiluted product with a volume median diameter (Dv.5) of 90–130 μm caused as much mortality of gypsy moth larvae in bioassays of sprayed foliage as deposits of diluted product with a Dv.5 of 150–350 μm despite a two‐ to three‐fold reduction in droplet density. Our data suggest that by using fine spray atomization, undiluted application of these formulations can offer the same efficacy against gypsy moth as coarsely atomized sprays of diluted product.