Intercept insecticide label expanded for Swede midge control in greenhouse brassica transplants

by J. Chaput, Minor Use Coordinator, OMAFRA, Guelph

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for INTERCEPT GREENHOUSE (GH) INSECTICIDE for control of swede midge on greenhouse transplants of head and stem Brassica vegetables, crop subgroup 5A in Canada. This includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Nappa cabbage, Chinese broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard cabbage and kohlrabi. The active ingredient imidacloprid was already labeled on a wide range of vegetables and fruits as well as ornamentals.

The minor use project for swede midge was sponsored in 2004 by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel. Intercept GH Insecticide was also the subject of several emergency use registrations for swede midge between 2006 and 2010 in several provinces. The minor use label expansion for Intercept GH Insecticide is a significant step towards developing an improved pest management toolkit for this pest in Canada.

The following is provided as a general outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Intercept GH Insecticide.

For swede midge on GH transplants of Brassica vegetables (broccoli, Chinese broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard cabbage, nappa cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi) Intercept is to be applied as a transplant tray plug drench at a rate of 4.1 grams per 1000 seedlings. Do not use less than 15 L solution per 100m2 of seedling trays. Apply during seedling stage prior to transplanting and allow a minimum of 10 days between application and transplanting.

Do not apply more than once per crop season and do not apply within 21 days of harvest for Brassica vegetables.

Intercept GH Insecticide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance.

Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Intercept GH Insecticide label carefully.

The minor use project for swede midge was sponsored in 2004 by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel.

We wish to thank the numerous researchers and extension personnel of various organizations including U. of Guelph, Cornell U., OMAFRA, MAPAQ and others for assisting with the research to support this label expansion. We also wish to thank the personnel of Bayer Environmental Science for their support of this registration and the personnel of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for evaluating and approving this important pest management tool.

For a copy of the new minor use label contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963, Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539 or visit the Bayer Environmental Science website at www.bayeres.ca, the Plant Products website at www.plantprod.com or the Evergro website at www.growercentral.com.