2015 Fall – IPM Update

Pest control using the newest, safest material is something cut flower growers want to stay on top of. Several new products are being introduced by chemical companies; my job is to provide you with a fair evaluation of their effectiveness.

Dow Chemical recently introduced an insecticide called XXpire™ WG which, has two new active ingredients for ornamental use, spinetoram and Isoclast™ (sulfoxaflor). The two active ingredients complement each other in their control of both chewing and sap-feeding insects. Spinosad (Conserve and spinosad organic) has been available for the cut flower industry for several years now but this new one is an interesting new mix.

Spinetoram is different from spinosad and has greater efficacy at lower rates, with increased photostability. It provides control of Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera species (caterpillars of moths and sawfly) and other chewing pests. Isoclast is systemic, and active on sap feeders such as aphids, whitefly, and lace bugs. XXpire is labeled only for foliar applications at this time.

The product was tested as “GF-2860” by a number of researchers for the past several years as well as through IR-4. Brian Kunkel of the University of Delaware Extension and I are testing out XXpire on root mealybug, root aphid, miscanthus mealybug, and thrips. XXpire was registered with the EPA this spring, but became available for sale in September. So far, this product is providing good control level in our trials.

In 2014 Syngenta introduced Acelepyrn for the nursery trade. It had originally been labeled for turfgrass grub control in 2014 but was expanded in 2015 to include ornamental plant pests. Acelepryn is an anthranilic diamide insecticide in the form of a suspension concentrate. It knocks calcium off the insects’ muscles, causing them to cramp and stop feeding. They die in two or three days from starvation. Acelepryn is a true systemic insecticide; as a foliar spray it travels into foliage and provides control for two to three weeks.