Actara 25WG insecticide label expanded via Minor Use Program for Crop group 4, leafy vegetables

J. Chaput, OMAFRA, Minor Use Coordinator,Guelph

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of  URMULE registrations for ACTARA 25WG (thiamethoxam) insecticide for control of aphids and reduction in damage from tarnished plant bug on crop group 4, leafy vegetables in Canada.  The active ingredient thiamethoxam was already labeled on pome fruit, bushberries, fruiting vegetables and potatoes and as a seed treatment on several cereal crops and legume crops in Canada.

 These minor use projects were initiated in 2009 by the minor use office of OMAFRA as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel in Canada.  Aphids and tarnished plant bug are serious annual pests of all leafy vegetables which include celery, lettuce, spinach, parsley, amaranth, Chinese celery, chervil, chrysanthemum, cress, endive, fennel, radicchio, rhubarb and Swiss chard.  The minor use registration of Actara insecticide is a significant step towards developing a more robust and sustainable pest management toolkit for these pests.

The following is provided as a general outline only.  Users should consult the complete label before using Actara 25WG insecticide.

Crop group 4; leafy vegetables:

Actara 25WG insecticide can be used for control of aphids on crop group 4, leafy vegetables at a rate of 105 g product per hectare in at least 100 L water per hectare.  Actara 25WG insecticide can be used for reduction in damage from tarnished plant bug (TPB) on crop group 4, leafy vegetables at a rate of 210 g product per hectare in at least 100 L water per hectare. 

 Timing of applications should be based on the presence of vulnerable pest developmental stages and significant populations as determined by field monitoring.  For aphids the application interval is 7 days depending again on the presence of significant populations as determined by local monitoring. 

 Do not make more than 2 applications per season for aphids and 1 application per season for tarnished plant bug.  Do not apply within 7 days of harvest for leafy vegetables.

 Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Actara 25WG insecticide label carefully.

Actara 25WG insecticide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance.

We also wish to thank the personnel of Syngenta Crop Protection Canada Inc. for their support of these registrations and the personnel of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for evaluating and approving this important pest management tool.

For copies of the new minor use label contact Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539, Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA vegetable crops specialist at Guelph (519) 826-4963  or visit the Syngenta Canada website at www.syngenta.ca/en/