Insect Control

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 and Whiteflies

See whiteflies in the tomato section for more information.

acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2 to 4 dry oz/A for aphids, 3 to 4 dry oz/A for whiteflies (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 5 to 7 oz/A for aphids, 4 to 16 oz/A for whiteflies (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). Suppression and adult aphid feeding deterrent. For immature whiteflies only. OMRI listed.

Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol O): 8 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. OMRI listed.

dinotefuran (Venom 20SG): 7 to 11 dry oz/A foliar or 18 to 21 dry oz/A soil (7 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.

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 dry oz/A (0 dh, REI 12, Group 9C). Use higher rate for whitefly; suppression only. For mustard greens and non-Brassica leafy greens only.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A (21 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use another nicotinoid (Group 4) insecticide if imidacloprid was used at planting.

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop.

insecticidal soap (M-Pede): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water (0 dh, REI 12h). Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. Repeat applications may be needed. Apply with a companion aphicide or miticide. OMRI listed.

pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 9A). Selective control of 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 to 12 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

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

spirotetramat (Movento): 4-5 oz/A (3 dh, REI 24 h, Group 23). Immature stages; may also reduce adult fertility.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A for aphids, 3 to 5.5 oz/A for whiteflies (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).

Cabbage looper

For more information, see cabbage looper in the cabbage section.

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

Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari): 0.5 to 1.5 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.

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.

Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol O): 1 qt/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 22). May be used alone or tank mixed with Bacillus thuringiensis products. Takes 7 to 10 days after application to see control. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.4 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 3.5 to 5 oz/A (3 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.

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A (7 dh except for salad mix with Brassicas 14dh, REI 12h, Group 6).

indoxacarb (Avaunt): 2.5 to 3.5 oz/A (3 dh, REI 12h, Group 22).

methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Insect growth regulator. Works on all instars. Feeding stops within hours but death takes several days.

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 3.2 to 12.8 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). For arugula, lettuce, corn salad, parsley and purslane only (not Brassica greens).

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).

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

tebufenozide (Confirm 2F): 6 to 8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Non toxic to natural enemies.

thiodicarb (Larvin* 3.2): 24 to 30 oz/A (14 dh, REI 48h, Group 1A).

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

Cutworms

Caterpillars hide under the soil surface adjacent to the plant stem during the day and feed on stems after dark. For best results, make application between midnight and dawn while cutworms are feeding aboveground. Synthetic pyrethroids (Group 3A) may work best during cool spring weather. See cutworms in the Pepper and Tomato (Outdoor) sections for more information on the black and variegated cutworms.

Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). Must be ingested; apply in evening before larvae are actively feeding and direct sprays to base of stem. Use high rate at cool temperatures. OMRI listed.

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DF): 0.5 to 1 lb/A (0 dh, REI 4h, Group 11). Must be ingested; apply in evening before larvae are actively feeding and direct sprays to base of stem. Use high rate at cool temperatures. OMRI listed.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 0.8 to 1.6 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 18). Insect growth regulator. Works on all instars. Feeding stops within hours but death takes several days. Suppression only.

permethrin (Pounce 25WP*): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). For arugula, lettuce, corn salad, parsley and purslane only (not Brassica greens).

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

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

Flea Beetles

Chewing from flea beetles will produce large holes on leaves and can render the crop unmarketable. Rowcovers can provide good insect control from planting until harvest.

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.4 to 3.2 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A).

imidacloprid (Provado 1.6F): 3.8 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4A). See plant-back restrictions. To avoid resistance, do not use a Provado foliar application following another nicotinoid (Group 4A) insecticide application on the same crop.

kaolin (Surround WP): 25 to 50 lb/A or 0.25 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. White residue is difficult to wash off leaves and heads; use only on very young leaves or leaves that will not be harvested. Follow label instructions for mixing. Generally compatible as a tank mix with other insecticides. For lettuce, arugula and Brassica greens only. OMRI listed.

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 2.5 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). OMRI listed. Brassica greens only. MA only.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 4).

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

Leafminers

Leafminers generally are controlled by natural enemies unless disrupted by broad-spectrum insecticide applications.  Some species may be transported on transplants from southern or western locations.  Control broadleaf weeds in and around the planting.  Rotate insecticide groups to slow resistance.  Systemic insecticides may control larvae within leaves.

azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5): 4 to 7 oz/A (0 dh, REI 12h, Group 18). For larvae. OMRI listed.

cyromazine (Trigard): 2.66 dry oz/A (7 dh, REI 12h, Group 17).

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A (7 dh except for salad mix with Brassicas 14dh, REI 12h, Group 6). Suppression only.

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A (1 dh, REI 12h, Group 3A). For arugula, lettuce, corn salad, parsley and purslane only (not Brassica greens).

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

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 6 to 10 oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5).

spinosad (Entrust): 2 to 3 dry oz/A (1 dh, REI 4h, Group 5). OMRI listed. Use adjuvant.