USA
October 15, 2014
By Carter Kent, BioWorks Great Lakes Technical Sales Manager
Recently, we have had several growers tell us that their customers are requesting them to eliminate or reduce use of neonicotinoid insecticides on the plant material grown for them. Other growers simply want to reduce their use of these and other insecticides to reduce pesticide resistance or improve human and environmental safety. The most common question I get regarding all of these situations is, “What products does BioWorks offer that can help to control insect pests, especially Aphids, Whiteflies and Thrips?”
The short answer is that we offer BotaniGard, Mycotrol-O, Molt-X, SuffOil-X, and NemaShield, to help control the majority of horticultural pests. BotaniGard and Mycotrol-O (BotaniGard’s OMRI-listed formulation) contain the same active ingredient and share the same modes of action (MOAs) against insect pests. Molt-X, NemaShield and SuffOil-X each have different active ingredients and MOAs from one other and from BotaniGard and Mycotrol-O that act differently against pests. When used alone, with each other, or with other biological and chemical products, each of these products can help growers safely and effectively control the majority of insect and mite pests and better manage resistance to chemical insecticides.
BotaniGard and Mycotrol-O are excellent biological insecticides that can be used to control Aphids, Whiteflies, Thrips, and other insects. The specific, highly effective GHA strain of the fungus Beauveria bassiana in Botanigard 22WP and ES, and Mycotrol-O is versatile to use alone or as a tank-mix or rotation partner with other insecticides. Unlike conventional chemical insecticides, B. bassiana strain GHA’s unique parasitic activity does not rely upon a specific toxin or interfere with a particular biochemical target to control insect pests. Instead, its spores germinate and penetrate into the insect pest where it kills the insect by consuming spreading throughout the pest’s body. Though BotaniGard and Mycotrol-O are potent to many insect pests, they are compatible with pollinators and many beneficial insects used in by various growers.
Molt-X works primarily as an insect growth regulator, which means it disrupts the development and molting processes of insects. Its natural active ingredient is azadirachtin, the most potent of the insect-active compounds extracted from the Neem tree. Insects exposed to Molt-X become sluggish, stop feeding, and fail to mature and reproduce. When combined with BotaniGard or Mycotrol-O in a tank mix or rotation program, Molt-X insect growth regulator activity slows insect development to provide B. bassiana strain GHA greater time to work against pests. This is especially useful in warmer weather when insect development occurs more quickly. Molt-X can also act as a repellent, antifeedant and ovipositional deterrent to many insects.
SuffOil-X offers broad-spectrum soft-bodied insect control from a plant-safe horticultural oil. When mixed and sprayed properly, SuffOil-X actually clogs insect and mite breathing holes as it coats their bodies. It works on all life stages of insects and mites, which makes it especially useful at first sign of soft-bodied insects and mites on vegetables and transplants. Since any residues remaining on plants after application is virtually harmless, SuffOil-X applications can be applied to maximize compatibility with natural enemies that many growers use in their insect control programs.
Lastly, NemaShield is effective at controlling Fungus Gnat and Thrips larvae. It contains the beneficial entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae. When applied as a drench to your potting mix, NemaShield nematodes actively seek-out Fungus Gnat and Thrips larvae, enter their bodies, and release bacteria that kill larvae within a few days. Though NemaShield nematodes kill larvae, they do not seek and kill adults, pupae or eggs. Whether used for Fungus Gnat or Thrips (including Western Flower Thrips) management, NemaShield should be applied within the first week of propagation or transplant and at 14 to 21-day intervals, thereafter, to effectively control Fungus Gnat and Thrips larvae in the soil or growing medium. Application rates and reapplication intervals depend on the level of infestation.
BioWorks has products to help you effectively, compatibly and safely control insect pests. Combined with “clean” plant material, proper sanitation, scouting and monitoring, these products can help you deliver on your customers’ requests to reduce or eliminate neonicontinoid insecticides or to just manage insecticide resistance.
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