Selective and Reduced-risk Insecticides for Vegetable Crops

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A)Ext. Entomologist &

State SARE CoordinatorAuburn, AL 36849

Tel: (251) 331-8416bugdoctor@auburn.edu

GOOD NEWS!• AFVGA Conference – Nov 19-21…lots

of good information and networking for all!

• USDA NASS News Release (Jan. 30, 2015):

– 26% increase in tomato production in a year ($20 million)

– Fruit and veg industry = $74 mil

• So the industry is growing fast!

• State residents consume $1 billion worth F&V at home (FBNA Survey 2011)

• So there is great potential for local food systems!

So what is holding us back?

Insecticide Mode of Action (MoA)

Receiving neuron

Sensory neuron

Neonicotinoids, Spinosyn (mimic

neurotransmitter)

Cyclodienes,Pyrethroids (upset

sodium channel)

Carbamates, OP (enzyme inhibition)

Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC): 16 Chemical Classes

Trends in synthetic chemistries• Early insecticides were short

chain>>quick activation

• New insecticides: need “activation” by insect enzyme systems (target-specific)

CarbarylMalathion

Zeta-cypermethrin Imidacloprid

Spinetoram

Chlorantraniliprole

Indoxacarb

NEW EPA BEE ADVISORY BOX

Reduced-risk for Sucking Insect Pest Control

(thrips, aphids, whiteflies)

Common name Product Pesticide type OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Thiamethoxam Platinum SC (30 d PHI)

In (Sys) >5000 Aph, FB, CB, WF, Thr

Dinotefuran Venom 70SG(21 d PHI)

In (Sys) >5000 FB, CPB, CB, SqB, WF

Clothianidin Belay 3G(21 d PHI)

In (Sys) 4700 FB, CPB, SqB, CB

Imidacloprid Admire 1.6F(21 d PHI)

In (Sys, Co, St) 450 FB, CPB, Aph, WF

Acetamiprid Assail 30SG In (Sys) - Aph, CPB, Thr

IRAC Chemical class: 4A (Neonicotinoids)

MoA: Mimic neurotransmitter at neuromuscular joints, hyperactivity

Systemic action: many weeks of protection, apply pre-bloom

Assail® insecticide

Highly Toxic to Bees

Updates for Class 4A• Neonicotinoid insecticides: effective against sucking pests• Most can be applied to soil (transplant drench, drip irri.), foliar spray, etc.• Mostly systemic action – Venom and Assail have good contact action• Use carefully – during the pre-bloom period to reduce risk to bees!

• Imidacloprid (Admire):• Aphid, Colorado potato beetle, thrips control in tomatoes• Soil application @ 7 oz (21 d PHI)• Foliar application @ 1.2 oz (0 PHI)• Transplant water @ 2 oz per 10,000 plants (21 d)

• Dinotefuran (Venom 70SG, Scorpion 35SL):• Cucumber beetle & squash bugs – Venom @ 4 oz , 21 d PHI• Stink bugs, whitefly in tomato – Scorpion @ 2 to 7 oz, 1 d PHI• Good contact action against stink bugs (tested in AL, 2012)

Plant protection by Imidacloprid

Observations:

• Imidacloprid provides early season protection

• Promotes plant establishment & growth

Insecticide study: Venom 70SGLocation: Addison, AL, 2012Crop: SquashPest: Squash bugsObservation: Numbers indicate squash bugs per 10 plants randomly observed.

7.2

1.2

0.20

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Obs. 1 (Sep. 4, 0DAT) Obs. 2 (Sep. 6, 2DAT) Obs. 3 (Sep. 12, 8DAT)

Squash bug numbers (per 10 plants)

Insects become paralyzed with outstretched legs.

Common name Product Pesticide type OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Pymetrozine (9B) Fulfill 50WDG In (St) >5000 Aph, WF

Flonicamid (9C) Beleaf 50SG In(St) >2000 Aph

IRAC Chemical class: 9 (new chemistry)

MoA: Unknown; selective homopteran feeding blockers

Fulfill 50WDG (Syngenta):

• Selective insecticide for aphid control

• Good residual, rainfast

• Application rates low: 2-2.8 oz/acre product

• PHI = 0 days

Common name Product Pesticide type OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Sulfoxaflor Closer In Aph, whitefly, leafhopper, scale insects, ACP

IRAC Chemical class: 4C (sulfoximines)

MoA: Nerve poison, primarily by ingestion

Effective against aphids and lygus bugs, translaminar actionLimited to 2 applications/season, safer to beneficial insects

Common name Product Pesticide type OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Flupyradifurone Sivanto 200SL (1 d PHI foliar)(21 d PHI soil)

In Aph, leafhopper, Whiteflies

IRAC Chemical class: 4D (butenolides)

MoA: Mimics neurotransmitter, primarily by ingestion

• Broad–spectrum insecticide for sucking insect pest control

• Reduced-risk to bees and other pollinators

• Acropetally systemic for soil applications – moves from roots to leaves

• Translaminar action – long residual control of 28 d

• Foliar or soil application – no more than 3 applications/yr

• Details at www.sivanto.com

Growth Regulator Insecticides

Common name Product Pesticidetype

OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against Less effective

Methoxyfenozide Intrepid 2F I (Co) >5000 CL, FAW, ImCW DBM, SqVB

Buprofezin Courier I, Mi (Co) >5000 WF

Pyriproxifen Knack I (Co) >5000 WF

IRAC Chemical class: 7C, 16, 17, 18

Growth regulators:

• Methoxyfenozide forces molting, long-lasting, 4-10 oz, 1 day PHI

• Buprofezin inhibits chitin biosynthesis (homopteran), 9-13 oz, 7 day PHI

• Pyriproxifen mimics juvenile hormone (homop.), 8-10 oz, 14 day PHI

Aphid Management IPM Plan

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7

Early season (preventive tret.)

Class 4A (systemic)

Mid/late-season (therapeutic tret.)

Class 9B (pymetrozine)

NOTE: Use chemical control only when needed. Use selective materials when biological control agents (BCA) are at peak activity!

Class 3 (bifenthrin

– ONLY if needed)

BCA

Aphid pop.

Reduced-risk for Chewing Insect Pest Control

(caterpillars, small chewing insects)

Friend of friends –Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• IRAC Class 11B: disruptors of insect midgut

• Bt kurstaki acts on small caterpillars

• Xentari (Bt aizawai) is highly recommended!

• Frequent appl., thorough coverage needed

• 0 Pre Harvest Interval (PHI)

• Minimum damage to beneficial insects

• No pest resurgence issues

Cabbage butterfly management: Bt Xentari plots, Clanton (2014)

Untr. Check (heading stage)

Caterpillars Fecal matter

T4: Nov 14, 2014Obs. 4: Nov 21, 2014

Less than 10% crop loss or contamination

Bt treated (after four sprays)

40 to 50% damage to central leaves

Common name Product Pesticidetype

OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Spinosyn A, D Entrust (SpinTorphase out)

In (St) >5000 CPB, ImCW, CEW, FAW, BAW, CL, DBM

Spinetoram Radiant 1SC In (St) >5000 CPB, CEW, ECB, ImCW, CL, Thr

IRAC Chemical class: 5 (Spinosyns) MoA: Mimic neurotransmitter, hyperexcite insects

Spinetoram (Radiant 1SC):

• Microbial fermentation derivate

• Application rate = 6-8 oz

• Preharvest interval (PHI) = 1-3 days

• Registered for many leafy veg., fruit crops, root crops, etc.

Entrust: for ORGANIC producers

Tomato plant stand with Spinetoram(Clanton, 2012)

Untreated checkRadiant (spinetoram) 8 oz +

0.25% NIS

Severely reduced stand results in poor crop yield.

Timely insecticide treatments can result in high crop yield.

Novaluron (IGR, Chitin Inhibitor)

• Group 15 insecticide

• Application rate: 9 to 12 fl oz/A

• Stops chitin production in caterpillar pests

• Has ovi-larvicidal action

• 1 d PHI in tomato, okra, sweetpotato, potato

Common name Product Pesticide type OralLD50 (mg/kg)

Best against

Chlorantraniliprole Coragen 1.67SC In (St, Co, Sys) >5000 CPB, CEW, ECB, FAW,

BAW, CL, SqVB, SB

Flubendiamide Belt SC In (Sys) >2000 CEW, ECB, CL, ImCW,

BAW, FAW

IRAC Chemical class: 28 (new chemistry-diamides)MoA: Ryanodine receptor modulators (acts inside muscles)

Diamides:• Rapid inhibition of feeding, paralysis• Selective insecticides, contact/stomach action• No aphid or mite flaring• Appl. rate = 3-5 oz (Coragen), 2-3 oz (Belt)• 1 day PHI

Fruit quality with Belt (flubendiamide)Cullman, 2012

Untreated check

Belt

90% fruit damage <10% fruit

damage

Fruit quality with Coragen (chlorantraniliprole)Late season treatment, Cullman, 2012Check plots Coragen foliar treatment

90% fruit damage

20% fruit damage

Caterpillar Management IPM Plan

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7

Early season (preventive)

Class 4A (systemic - Coragen)

Mid/late-season (therapeutic)

Class 11A(Bt - Xentari)

NOTE: Use chemical control only when needed. Use selective materials when biological control agents (BCA) are at peak activity!

Class 28 (flubendiamide - Belt)

Class 5(spinetoram – Radiant)

Class 3A(Zeta cyper – Mustang)

BCA

Caterpillars

Class 11A(Bt - Xentari)

Stop – Look – Identify – Decide!• Identify the pest vs. beneficial

• Misidentification of insects is common

• E.g., predatory (A) vs. phytophagous stink bug (B)

QUESTIONS FOR DR. A?251-331-8416, bugdoctor@auburn.edu

Trap Crops to Reduce Insecticide Usage

Dr. Ayanava Majumdar (Dr. A)Ext. Entomologist &

State SARE CoordinatorAuburn, AL 36849

Tel: (251) 331-8416bugdoctor@auburn.edu

Stink bugs/Leaffooted bugsBrown stink bug, Euschistus servus

Feeding injuryLeaffooted bugs, Phyllopus spp.

Major Principle of Trap Cropping• Insects have differential host preference

• Insect may feed and reproduce in preferred host

Perimeter• Pest source unknown

• Pest of limited mobility or

clumped distribution

Trap cropping layout

Trap crop

Main crop

Main

cro

p

Main

cro

p

Main

cro

p

Main

cro

p

Strip interplant• Pest source unknown

• Relatively mobile or widely

dispersed insects

PEST SOURCE UNKNOWN

Trap cropping layout

Main crop

Source

Open field

Op

en

fie

ld

Open field

Source–Sink

Approach:• Pest source known

• More efficient system

with minimum area

under trap crop

PEST SOURCE KNOWN

Sunflower (Peredovik)

Sorghum (NK300)

Main crop: Tomato

Perimeter trap crop study (Clanton, AL, 2012)

This is a good basic layout of trap crops with single varieties of sunflower and sorghum. Always have two rows (min.) of each.

Trap crop study for leaffooted bugs(Cullman, AL, 2012)

0

33 33

0 0 00

56

17

0 0 004

20 1

5

Obs. 1 Obs. 2 Obs. 3 Obs. 4 Obs. 5 Obs. 6

NK300 (sorghum trap crop)

Sunflower (trap crop)

Tomato (main crop)

(24 July) (30 Aug.) (4 Sep.)

Numbers indicate leaffooted bugs (LFBs) on 40 heads of trap crops and 40 tomato plants for comparison purposes. Trap crops planted on June 18 & 27. Main crop planted on July 3. Trap crop treated with Mustang Max (zeta-cyper. @ 4 oz/A) on Sept. 7, 2012. Result = over 90% LFB control in 7DAT. Tomato main crop is attacked by LFBs after the trap crop is ineffective (in October).

(14 Sep.)

Zeta-cypermethrin treatment at peak LFB activity in sorghum

(24 Sep.) (4 Oct.)

Over 90% LFB reductionNo targeted spray of main crop

Perimeter MIXED trap crop study (Cullman, AL, 2013)

Sunflower (Peredovik)

Sorghum (NK300)

Tom

ato m

ain cro

p

Sorghum (DKB5400)

This is a more complex layout of trap crops suitable for multiple varieties of sorghum for providing a continuum of food to target insect pest.

Mixed trap crop study for leaffooted bugs(Clanton, AL, 2013)

0 0

15

0

39

64

0 0

78

5

46

3318

130

27

00 0

0 3 27

814

7/17 7/24 7/31 8/7 8/14 8/21 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2

DKB5400 (sorghum trap crop)NK300 (sorghum trap crop)Sunflower (near squash and watermelon)Tomato (main crop)

95% success rate3 to 4 reduced insecticidesprays on main crop

Numbers indicate leaffooted bugs (LFBs) on 40 heads of trap crops and 40 tomato plants for comparison purposes. Trap crops planted on May 30. Main crop (Bella Rosa tomato) planted on June 13. Trap crop treated with Mustang Max (zeta-cyper. @ 4 oz/A) on Aug 17and Sept 27, 2013. Result = 94% LFB control in 5DAT. Untreated tomato main crop was attacked by LFBs after desiccation of sorghum varieties.

Zeta-cypermethrin (head treatments)

Advantages of Trap Cropping

• Minimum new investment (seed)

• Saves insecticide and labor costs

• Reduces damage to main (cash) crop

• Attracts and conserves beneficial insects

• Enhances biodiversity on the farm

Additional Information• IPM Training Module on AL Vegetable IPM website

(www.aces.edu/vegetableipm)

• Trap Crops for Managing Insect Pests. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. Bulletin ANR-1430. [Online] http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1430/ANR-1430.pdf

• SARE Bulletin - Trap cropping in vegetable production. [Online] http://www.southernsare.org/SARE-in-Your-State/Alabama/State-News/More-Alabama-News/Research-Update-Trap-Crops-for-Leaf-Footed-Bug-Management

• Trap crops for leaffooted bug management in tomatoes. Journal of the NACAA. Vol. 5 (2). [online] http://www.nacaa.com/journal/index.php?jid=191

EXTENSION RESOURCES

Always use…SE Vegetable Production Handbook

Download at http://www.thegrower.com/south-east-vegetable-guide/

New Extension Resources

New Producer Handbook on High Tunnel Crops and Alternative IPM Slide charts are available now. Great for use by small producers.

www.aces.edu/anr/ipm/vegetable

Vegetable IPM on Facebook!

Advantages: Rapid pest alerts, interactive, insect ID

photos and videos, success stories, IPM contest

Alabama IPM Communicator –a major resource for producers

Team publication since 2010

1450 subscribers

Available as PDF (numbered Ext. bulletin) and…

Web-based for mobile devices!

Trap Crops to Reduce Insecticide Usage: Tomato, Squash Production

Questions for Dr. A?Tel: (251) 331-8416

bugdoctor@auburn.edu