Insect Control

Floating row covers can exclude beetles, increase yield and produce earlier harvests. Plants should be free of aphids and whiteflies before setting in the field. Apply covers immediately after setting transplants. Completely seal edge of the material with soil, leaving enough slack to allow for plant growth. Use wire hoops to prevent damage to growing tips. Use in conjunction with crop rotation to prevent Colorado potato beetles from emerging underneath. Remove row covers at bloom to prevent plants from becoming leggy and lodging. See General Information Plastic mulch, row covers, and high tunnels.

NOTE:  For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (common name) as an example of rates, days to harvest (dh), REI, and special instructions. In many cases there are other products available with the same active ingredient. Please see Table 20 and Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on products with the same active ingredients.

Aphids

Aphids generally colonize eggplant during the first two weeks of July, and good control at this time with a selective insecticide will prevent the need for sprays later in the season. Good coverage of the underside of leaves is important. Treat when one to two aphids per leaf are observed. Be aware that broad-spectrum insecticide applications can cause aphid and mite outbreaks by reducing the populations of beneficial organisms.

Reflective mulch, where 50% of the surface area is reflective, will repel colonizing aphids. Even black plastic mulch has been shown to reduce aphid infestations to some extent compared with bare-ground culture.

acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2 to 4 dry oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 5 to 7 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Suppression and adult feeding deterrent. OMRI listed.

dinotefuran (Safari 20SG): 0.16 to 0.32 dry oz/1,000 sq ft or 3.5 to 7 dry oz/100 gal/20,000 sq ft (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Eggplant transplants while in greenhouse. Not for field use.

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 7 to 14 dry oz/A foliar or 18 to 21 dry oz/A soil (1 dh foliar, 21 dh soil, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use foliar spray after soil application or following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A). For Green Peach Aphid.

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 dry oz/A (0 dh, REI 12, Group 9C).

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 7 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Can be applied in bedding operation, as a transplant water drench or through trickle irrigation. May be applied in planthouse at maximum rate of 0.44 oz/10,000 plants. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 to 6.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop. See plant-back restrictions.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. May need to make repeated applications. Apply with companion aphicide. OMRI listed.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

malathion (Malathion 57 EC): 1 to 1 1/2 pt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1B).

methomyl (Lannate LV*): 12 to 48 oz/A (5 dh, REI 48h, Group 1A). For Green Peach aphid.

pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 9A). Selective for aphids, translaminar. Apply before populations build up.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 100 oz/100 gal (0.5 dh, REI 12h, Group 25). Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper, sulfur or oils. CT only.

spirotetramat (Movento): 4-5 oz/A (1dh, REI 24 h, Group 23). Immature stages; may also reduce adult fertility.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 2 to 3 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds. Wait at least 5 days before placing beehives in or near the treated field. 

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 11 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seedling root zone during or after transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray.

Blister Beetles

The margined blister beetle, sometimes called the “old fashioned potato beetle” is the most common blister beetle attacking unsprayed vegetables in New England. Adults contain a toxin that will produce blisters when handled or consumed by livestock. The long (5/8”), slender, dark-grey or black beetles have light-grey lines along the margins of the wings. Only the adults consume foliage. They spend the winter as larvae in the soil and normally feed on grasshopper eggs. Occasionally, the beetles appear in great numbers on one or two vegetables in a limited area within a larger field. A single spot spray with a broad-spectrum insecticide effectively controls the beetles.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB)

See Potato for more details on Colorado potato beetle (CPB), including cultural controls and resistance management. In eggplant, CPB feeding may occur in June on young transplants, or later in the season when plants are full grown and fruit is developing. Watch for emergence of summer adults in late July and August, as they can damage leaves, flowers, petioles, including clipping flower buds. This reduces fruit formation and marketable yield. Scout to determine number of adults, egg masses, small and large larvae and to assess feeding damage. The following action thresholds have been established from seedling to fruiting stage: 2 small/1 large larvae per plant (if plant is 6 inches). Avoid using insecticides from the same resistance group more than once per year.

abamectin (Agri-Mek* 0.15EC): 8 to 16 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 6). Do not apply more than 2 sequentiall applications. Do not apply more than 48 oz/A per season.

acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 1.5 to 2.5 dry oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). For resistance management, use a nitotinoid (Group 4) insecticide on only one generation every other year.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 7 to 16 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For young larvae. OMRI listed.

Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol O): 16 to 32 oz/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 22). Treat when populations are low and thoroughly cover foliage. Takes 7 to 10 days after the first spray to see control. Repeat applications may be needed. May be tank mixed with Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 3.5 to 5 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 28). For drip application, must be applied uniformly in the root zone and do not apply more than twice per season. For foliar application use an effective adjuvant.

cryolite (Kryocide): 8 to 16 lb/A (14 dh, REI 12h. Group 9B). Minimum 7 days between applications and maximum of 64 lb/A per season. Not effective against the adult beetle. This material can cause extensive wear of nozzles.

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 7 to 14 dry oz/A foliar or 18 to 21 dry oz/A soil (1 dh foliar, 21 dh soil, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use foliar spray after soil application or following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop. For resistance management, use a nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide on only one generation every other year.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A).

esfenvalerate (Asana* XL): 5.8 to 9.6 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 7 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Can be applied in bedding operation, as a transplant water drench or through trickle irrigation. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting. For resistance management, use a nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide on only one generation every other year.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 to 6.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use a Provado foliar application following a soil application of another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide appication on the same crop. See plant-back restrictions. For resistance management, use a nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide on only one generation every other year.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 9.6 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). For resistance management, do not use a Group 5 insecticide (spinosad or spinetoram) more than once per year.

spinosad (Entrust): 1 to 2 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). Control adults as well as small and large larvae. For resistance management, do not use a Group 5 insecticide (spinosad or spinetoram) more than once per year. OMRI listed.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 2 to 3 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops. For resistance management, use nicotinoid insecticide (Platinum, Admire, Provado or Assiail) on only one generation every other year. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds. Wait at least 5 days before placing beehives in or near the treated field.

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 11 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seedling root zone during or after transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray. For resistance management, use nicotinoid insecticide (Platinum, Admire, Actara, Provado or Assial) on only one generation every other year.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Cutworms

Black cutworm is the most common of the many cutworm species that damage eggplants in New England. The dark-grey or black caterpillars hide under the soil surface adjacent to the plant stem during the day and feed after dark. On rare occasions, large larvae switch from leaf feeding to cutting stems of seedlings. Certain fields tend to have a history of repeated cutworm damage. Scout fields weekly through June after transplanting. Check at least 100 plants for cut stems, especially near field margins. Spot spray damaged areas or edges of the field if 1 or 2% of the plants have been cut down. For best results, make application between midnight and dawn while cutworms are feeding aboveground. Hardening seedlings before transplanting toughens stems and reduces damage. See cutworms in the Pepper section for more information on this pest.

carbaryl (10% Sevin Granules): 20 lb/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1A). Apply evenly to the soil surface.

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 1.9 to 3.2 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 1.9 to 3.2 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

tebufenozide (Confirm 2F): 6 to 16 oz/A (7 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Insect growth regulator which causes early, lethal molt in caterpillars. Must be ingested.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Flea Beetles

Shiny black beetles less than 1/8” long that hop like fleas. Adults spend the winter under plant residue along tree lines or in the field. In the early spring they feed on horse nettle, pokeweed or other solanaceous weeds until they move to eggplant, potato or tomato, where they feed until August. Numerous tiny feeding “shot holes” can injure leaves and stunt or kill plants, especially seedlings. Management practices include clean cultivation, crop rotation, removing or avoiding spring weed hosts, use of row covers, and applying spot treatments targeting eggplants along the field edges. Treat newly set transplants if they have 2 flea beetles per plant, seedlings 3” to 6” tall if they have greater than 4 beetles per plant, and plants over 6” tall if they have 8 beetles per plant. Full size plants rarely require treatment for flea beetles. Most insecticides registered to control CPB, including spinosad, will control FB.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1/2 to 1 qt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1A). Highly toxic to bees. May encourage buildup of aphids by killing natural enemies.

cryolite (Kryocide): 8 to 16 lb/A (14 dh, REI 12h, Group 9B). Minimum 7 days between applications and maximum of 64 lb/A per season. This material can cause extensive wear of nozzles.

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 7 to 14 dry oz/A foliar or 18 to 21 dry oz/A soil (1 dh foliar, 21 dh soil, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use foliar spray after soil application or following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 1 to 2 lb/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A).

esfenvalerate (Asana* XL): 5.8 to 9.6 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 7 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Can be applied in bedding operation, as a transplant water drench or through trickle irrigation. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 to 6.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop. See plant-back restrictions.

kaolin (Surround WP):  12 1/2 to 50 lb/A or 0.125 to 0.5 lb/gal (0 dh, REI 4h). Suppression and repellence only. May be applied to transplants prior to setting in field. Use on seedlings and young plants. Product residue may need to be washed off if applied after fruit set. White residue may be minimized if applications stop when fruit is 1/4 of its expected harvest size. Follow label instructions for mixing. Generally compatible as a tank mix with other insecticides. OMRI listed.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 9.6 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

spinosad (Entrust): 1.25 to 2 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). MA only.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 2 to 3 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds. Wait at least 5 days before placing beehives in or near the treated field. 

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 11 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seedling root zone during or after transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Leafhoppers

Potato leafhopper feeding is toxic to eggplant. Leaf margins and tips turn yellow and curl up. Feeding can reduce yield before damage is visible. Damage is often confused with Verticillium wilt, where leaves turn yellow and droop down. Treatment is recommended if there is an average of more than 1 to 1.5 leafhoppers per leaf. See potato leafhopper in the Potato section for more information.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 7 to 16 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For nymphs only. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1/2 to 1 qt/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 1A). Highly toxic to bees. May encourage buildup of aphids by killing natural enemies.

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 7 to 14 dry oz/A foliar or 18 to 21 dry oz/A soil (1 dh foliar, 21 dh soil, REI 12h, Group 4). For resistance management purposes, do not use foliar spray after soil application or following another nicotinoid (Group 4) insecticide application on the same crop.

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 7 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Can be applied in bedding operation, as a transplant water drench or through trickle irrigation. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 to 6.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop. See plant-back restrictions.

kaolin (Surround WP): 12 1/2 to 50 lb/A or 0.125 to 0.5 lb/gal (0 dh, REI 4h). Suppression and repellence only. Product residue may need to be washed off if applied after fruit set. White residue may be minimized if applications stop when fruit is 1/4 of its expected harvest size. Follow label instructions for mixing. Generally compatible as a tank mix with other insecticides. OMRI listed.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

thiamethoxam (Actara): 2 to 3 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds. Wait at least 5 days before placing beehives in or near the treated field.

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 11 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seed/seedling root zone during or after planting/transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Two-spotted Spider Mite

Two-spotted spider mites (TSSM) are one of the most important pests of eggplant. They have up to 20 generations per year and are favored by excess nitrogen and dry and dusty conditions. Outbreaks are often caused by the use of broad-spectrum insecticides which interfere with the numerous natural enemies that help to manage mite populations. TSSM tend to be prone to pesticide resistance. Full grown adults are less than 1/32” and a 15X hand lens is usually required to see them. Watch for white speckling on the upper surface of lower leaves or webbing on the undersurface around leaf veins. Overhead irrigation or prolonged periods of rain can help reduce populations. Do not over-fertilize. Avoid weedy fields and do not plant eggplant adjacent to legume forage crops. Avoid early-season, broad-spectrum insecticide applications for other pests. Use selective products whenever possible. With most miticides (not bifenazate), use 2 applications, approximately 5 to 7 days apart, to help control immature mites that were in the egg stage and protected during the first application. Alternate between products after 2 applications to help prevent or delay resistance. Preventative releases of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, may suppress TSSM populations, as they do in strawberry fields.

abamectin (Agri-Mek* 0.15EC): 8 to 16 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 6). Do not apply more than 2 sequential applications. Do not apply more than 48 oz/A per season.

bifenazate (Acramite 50WS): 0.75 to 1 lb/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 25).

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 5.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). OMRI listed.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

neem oil (Trilogy): 0.5% to 2% solution in 25 to 100 gal water/A (0dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Avoid mid-day applications and ensure good coverage. OMRI listed.

sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 50 oz/100 gal (0.5 dh, REI 12h, Group 25). Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper, sulfur or oils. CT only.

soybean oil (Golden Pest Spray Oil): 2 gal/10 to 80 gal water/A (REI 4h, Group 25). Apply once a week beginning when mites first appears. OMRI listed.

spirotetramat (Movento): 4-5 oz/A (1dh, REI 24 h, Group 23). Immature stages; may also reduce adult fertility.

spiromesifen (Oberon 2SC): 7 to 8.5 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 23). Immature mites.

Tarnished Plant Bug

Tarnished plant bug populations will greatly increase in susceptible vegetable crops when nearby hosts, such as alfalfa, are mowed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.1 to 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 5.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 dry oz/A (0 dh, REI 12, Group 9C).

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 3.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Tomato Fruitworm

This is another common name for the corn earworm, which may attack tomatoes and other solanaceous crops late in the season, especially if moth numbers are high and fresh corn silk is relatively scarce. Use selective insecticides to avoid disrupting natural enemies that control secondary pests, such as mites and aphids.  For more information, see corn earworm in the sweet corn section.   

Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). See the general recommendations for B.t. kurstaki below. OMRI listed.

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DF): 0.5 to 1 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). Must be ingested; apply when larvae are actively feeding. Use high rate at cool temperatures. Use a spreader-sticker. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 3.5 to 5 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 28). For drip application, must be applied uniformly in the root zone and do not apply more than twice per season. For foliar application use an effective adjuvant.

cryolite (Kryocide): 8 to 16 lb/A (14 dh, REI 12h, Group 9B). Minimum of 7 days between applications and maximum of 64 lb/A per season. This material can cause extensive wear of nozzles.

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 2.4 to 4.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 6).

esfenvalerate (Asana* XL): 5.8 to 9.6 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

fenbutatin-oxide (Vendex* 50WP): 2 to 3 lbs/A (3dh, REI 48, Group 12B). Apply when first mites appear. Good coverage of all leaf surfaces is required. May be applied when honeybees and beneficial mites are present.

flubendiamide (Synapse): 2 to 3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 28). Active via ingestion.

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

indoxacarb (Avaunt): 3.5 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 22).

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A).

methomyl (Lannate LV*): 24 to 48 oz/A (5 dh, REI 48h, Group 1A).

methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 10 to 16 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Insect growth regulator. Stops larval feeding within hours but takes several days to cause complete mortality.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5).

spinosad (Entrust): 1 to 2 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). OMRI listed.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Pepper Maggot

Some farms with high population of pepper maggot experience damage on eggplant, especially when peppers are rotated out of the field. Perimeter trap cropping can help limit damage to eggplant. Plant one or two rows of cherry peppers around the perimeter of the eggplant and spot spray the trap crop (only) when the first stings (egg-laying scars) occur on the peppers or adult flies are captured on traps. See pepper maggot in Pepper section for more details and for effective insecticides for peppers.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

Whiteflies

Transplant clean plants to the field. Because whiteflies can go from egg to adult in a few days, it is important to make two to three applications four to five days apart. Alternate chemical groups to prevent development of resistance. See whiteflies in the tomato section for more information. 

acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2.5 to 4 dry oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 4 to 16 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Immature whiteflies only. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Adults only.

bifenthrin (Capture* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

deltamethrin (Decis* 1.5EC): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

dinotefuran (Safari 20SG): 0.16 to 0.32 dry oz/1,000 sq ft or 3.5 to 7 dry oz/100 gal/20,000 sq ft (1 dh, REI 12h, group 4). Eggplant transplants while in greenhouse. Not for field use.

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 1 to 4 dry oz/A foliar or 5 to 6 dry oz/A soil (1 dh foliar, 21 dh soil, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use foliar spray after soil application or following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop.

endosulfan (Thionex* 50W): 2 lb/A (1 dh, REI 24h, Group 2A).

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2.8 dry oz/A (0 dh, REI 12, Group 9C).  Suppression only.

gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 7 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). Can be applied in bedding operation, as a transplant water drench or through trickle irrigation. May be applied in planthouse at maximum rate of 0.44 oz/10,000 plants. See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide if Admire Pro was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 to 6.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). For resistance management purposes, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop. See plant-back restrictions.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. May need to make repeated applications or use a companion aphicide. OMRI listed.

lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior*): 2.5 to 3.8 oz/A (5 dh, REI 24h, Group 3A). Suppression only.

pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 9A). Suppression only.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0): 4.5 to 18 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).OMRI listed.

pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (Pyrenone): 1 tsp/gal, or 1 to12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

pyriproxyfen (Knack): 8 to 10 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 7). Insect growth regulator for long-term control of immature whiteflies. Does not control adults. No more than 2 applications per season, at least 14 days apart.

sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 50 oz/100 gal (0.5 dh, REI 12h, Group 25). Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper, sulfur or oils. CT only.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 3.0 to 5.5 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming crops. Do not apply or allow to drift to blooming crops or weeds. Wait at least 5 days before placing beehives in or near the treated field.

thiamethoxam (Platinum): 5 to 11 oz/A (30 dh, REI 12h, Group 4). Systemic insecticide used in an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seedling root zone during or after transplanting operations. DO NOT apply as a foliar spray.

spiromesifen (Oberon 2SC): 7 to 8.5 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 23). Immature whiteflies only.