Six seed dressing insecticides were tested for efficacy againstOphiomyia phaseoli(BF) in 1987 and 1988 at two locations in south‐central Ethiopia. Endosulfan and aldrin, at 5 g a.i./kg of seeds, were the least phytotoxic and the most effective. The rest gave variable results; BF control with some insecticides (e.g. furathiocarb) was comparable, but they showed varying degrees of phytotoxicity. The maximum seed yield loss was 36.5%. The results suggest that aldrin be replaced with endosulfan, which is less persistent.