Optimal instar and method of meta-tolyl-N-methyl-carbamate application for killing Aphrophora costalis Matsumura

For determining the effects of meta-tolyl-N-methylcarbamate (MTMC, metolcarb) on Aphrophora costalis Matsumura (ACM) and the migration and leaching law of MTMC in soil, the thin-layer chromatography method was used. The characteristics of migration and leaching of MTMC in the dark brown soils, and the most critical influences such as soil type, pH, and amount of water were considered to evaluate the impact of leaching rate. The results showed that 25% MTMC diluted 1,000 times was most effective in controlling ACM, with a mortality reaching 87.8% by root irrigation, and a mortality of up to 94.4% by root burial. For dark brown soil, clay minerals are primarily quartz, as well as small amounts of agalmatolite, mica, and kaolinite. Adsorption of MTMC by dark brown soil begins within 2 h, which increases rapidly in capacity before 16 h, and tends to balance with a decrease in the gradient concentration after 16 h. The desorption capacity of MTMC exhibits a gradual increase within 2 h, showing a maximum around 12 μg·g-1, which tends to stabilize after 12 h. MTMC has moderate mobility in dark brown soil. This research has important practical significance for controlling tree diseases and insect pests and protecting the environment.