Many materials available for pear psylla management

With high temperatures expected this week, Michigan pear producers should start managing for psylla by applying a dormant oil application with or without insecticide.

Pear psylla
Pear psylla. Photo credit: J. Dykinga, USDA-ARS.

Michigan pear producers know that management of pear psylla presents a challenge each season. Psylla become active early and numbers can quickly grow to unacceptable levels. Also, the ability of this pest to rapidly develop insecticide resistance makes it especially important to carefully consider each material included in a management plan. A dormant oil application is a good start to a program that alternates materials with different modes of action (MOA) as needed throughout the remainder of the season. Given the temperatures expected this week, it would be a good time to start managing for psylla by applying a dormant oil application with or without insecticide.

Table 1 contains a list of products that are labeled for psylla control in Michigan pear orchards. Listed for each table entry are the MOA group number as assigned by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, common name, trade name and insecticide class.

Materials that share the same MOA group number have the same mode of action even if the number is followed by a different letter. For example, carbaryl has an MOA classification of 1A and diazinon of 1B. The number 1 indicates that both materials share the same MOA, in this case they are both cholinesterase inhibitors. The letter after the number represents the chemical sub-group. Notice that the last six table entries have no MOA classification and can be applied whenever appropriate for that material.

A sound resistance management program relies on treating successive generations of psylla with materials from different MOA groups. Read the label directions for complete information regarding application rates, timing, combination with adjuvants and precautionary statements regarding effects on natural enemies and bees. Do not underestimate the power of natural enemies in the management of pear psylla. An orchard of Bartlett pears at the Trevor Nichols Research Center in Fennville, Mich., unmanaged for psylla, has had no sign of psylla for the last several years.

Check the current “Michigan Fruit Management Guide” (E-154) for information on the effectiveness of many of the control options listed in the table.

Table 1. Insecticides labeled for pear psylla control in Michigan

MOA Group1

Common name

Trade name

Insecticide class

1A

carbaryl

Sevin

carbamate

1B

azinphosmethyl

Azinphos-methyl,

organophosphate

1B

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos, Govern, Lorsban, Nufos, Warhawk, Whirlwind, Yuma

organophosphate

1B

diazinon

Diazinon

organophosphate

1B

dimethoate

Dimate

organophosphate

1B

methidathion

Supracide

organophosphate

2A

endosulfan

Endosulfan, Thionex

organochloride

3

deltamethrin

Battalion, Delta Gold, Decis

pyrethroid

3

esfenvalerate

Asana XL, Adjourn

pyrethroid

3

fenpropathrin

Danitol

pyrethroid

3

gamma-cyhalothrin

Proaxis

pyrethroid

3

lambda-cyhalothrin

Silencer, Warrior

pyrethroid

3

permethrin

Ambush, Arctic, Pounce, Perm-Up, Permethrin

pyrethroid

3

zeta-cypermethrin

Mustang Max

pyrethroid

3

pyrethrins

Pyganic

pyrethrin

3, 27A

pyrethrin + piperonyl butoxide

Evergreen

pyrethrin

4A

acetamiprid

Assail

neonicotinoid

4A

clothianidin

Clutch

neonicotinoid

4A

imidacloprid

Couraze, Pasada, Provado, Impulse, Nuprid, Prey

neonicotinoid

4A

thiacloprid

Calypso

neonicotinoid

4A

thiamethoxam

Actara

neonicitinoid

5

spinetoram

Delegate

spinosyn

6

abamectin

Abacus, Abba, Agri-Mek, Epi-Mek, Reaper, Zoro

antibiotic

6

emamectin benzoate

Proclaim

avermectin

7C

pyriproxifen

Esteem

insect growth regulator

15

diflubenzuron

Dimilin

benzoylurea

16

buprofezin

Centaur

insect growth regulator

18B

azadirachtin

Aza-Direct, Ecozin, Neemix

botanical

21

fenpyroximate

FujiMite, Portal

phenoxypyrazole

21

pyridaben

Nexter

pyridazinone

sulfur

Golden-Dew, Kumulus DF, Micro Sulf, Microthiol Disperss, Sulfur-DF

horticultural oil

horticultural oil

calcium polysulfides

Rex Lime Sulfur Solution, Sulforix

kaolin clay

Surround

particle film

oil, paraffinic

Citrus oil, JMS Stylet-oil

potassium salts of fatty acids

M-Pede

1 mode of action classification

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