The effects of broad spectrum and selective insecticides on the structure of phytophagous and zoophagous communities were investigated in a controlled experiment carried out in an apple orchard in Hungary. Following the cessation of intensive use of broad spectrum insecticides and the regular application of selective insecticides (mainly insect growth regulator compounds) a characteristic succession commenced in the arthropod populations in apple orchards. The IPM strategy was developed against the arthropods occurring at a high population density in the apple orchards previously treated with broad-spectrum insecticides for many years (e.g Phyllonorycter blancardella, Leucoptera malifoliella, Panonychus ulmi). After the regular application of selective insecticides the population density of the pests Stephanitis pyri, Dyasphis devecta, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus increased, thus further improvement in the IPM program is still required.