Why Applaud 25 SC

Use Applaud 25 SC to control all whitefly species, particularly tobacco (Bemisia tabaci) and glasshouse (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) whitefly, in your protected ornamentals with no harvest interval.

Applaud 25 SC also has activity on mealy bugs (Pseudococcdiae), soft scales and leaf hoppers (Hermipterous spp.). It contains 250 g/litre buprofezin in a suspension concentrate formulation.

You’ll discover that Applaud 25 SC fits well with IPM systems; however, take care to use it in strict programmes to avoid resistance. In addition, its SC formulation is kind to the plants and risk of phytotoxicity is low.

Mode of action

Applaud 25 SC controls whitefly on contact and via ingestion, with lasting activity.

A combined chitin synthesis inhibitor with a hormone-disturbing effect and an insect growth regulator (IGR), it targets immature pest stages – eggs, pupae and nymphs – lethally disrupting larval moulting.

The result is high nymph mortality, reduced egg viability and lower adult emergence. Surviving treated adults lay sterile eggs, further reducing the pest population.

In addition, Applaud 25 SC reaches hidden pests with vapour activity (sublimation) at higher temperatures for thorough control. To encourage this vapour action using crop covers following application, we recommend you retain the volatile spray mixture to reach the pest where it’s most difficult with standard sprays.

While Applaud 25 SC aids pest lifecycle management, due to IGR activity results are slow to appear; you should determine efficacy after longer periods than with knockdown insecticides.

Strong beneficial safety

Applaud 25 SC has low impact on beneficials and is highly compatible with macrobiologicals. preferably in an IPM system. Use one application soon after potting to achieve a pest-predator balance and a second application 22 days later to finish close to dispatch with Gazelle, which covers all common aphid species and both species of whitefly, with no harvest interval.

Where macrobiologicals are not integrated, we recommend alternating Gazelle with Applaud, Majestik and Botanigard bioinsecticides. Apply at the first sign of insect attack, with a second application after 22 days as close as possible to dispatch.

Some specifics:

How and when to apply

Use a maximum 80 ml/100 L of water and 1,250 L of water per hectare. You can make two applications per crop with a minimum 22 days between sprays; however, avoid consecutive sprays.

As Applaud 25 SC works on contact, ensure good coverage.

Proof

Applaud 25 SC in larvae:

Why Azatin

Use Azatin to control western flower thrips and onion thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis and Thrips tabaci) in protected ornamentals – including perennials, floristry plants, tree/forest nursery and roses grown in substrate – with good crop safety.

In fact, it’s the only azadirachtin product approved in the UK for use in ornamentals under permanent protection with full enclosure.

Containing 217 g/L azadirachtin (formulated to achieve a concentration of 26 g/L azadirachtin-A) in an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), Azatin provides insect growth regulation (IGR) and repellency (IRAC UN).

A biorational, Azatin is ideal for IPM systems (you should use it as part of a programme) and can be integral to your resistance management strategy.

Mode of action

Derived from neem tree extract, Azatin’s active mainly controls thrip larval stages and acts on ingestion and is also an antifeedant. Azadirachtin is partially systemic on some host plants, providing complete coverage of the plant and targeting the pest in difficult-to-reach areas.

Azatin is also antifeedant. This means that while you may see pests on the plant, visible damage is reduced. In addition, as it has IGR properties, the effects of control may occur more slowly than with a knockdown pesticide.

How and when to use

You can make up to five blocks of four applications per year, with 42 days between blocks. Allow a minimum seven days between individual applications.

Dose rates:

Ornamental plants grown under cover: 1.4 L/ha (140 ml product per 100 litres water, using 1,000 L/ha water volume)

Roses grown on substrate under cover: 1.68 L/ha (140 ml product per 100 litres water using 1,200 L/ha water volume)

It’s advisable to carry out a small-scale application to ensure safety on specific crops before moving to full-scale treatment.

Beneficials: exclude all pollinators during and post application – Ensure treated area is fully dry before reintroducing bees (IOBC classification where 1=<25% impact, 2=25-50% impact, 3=50-75%, 4=>75%+ impact).

Timing: thrips numbers tend to increase on pot mums (potted chrysanthemums) during August and September, causing damage to flowers, so this is a good point to start treatment.

As always, refer to the product label before use and consult your advisor.

Good crop safety

Phytotoxicity tests and expert judgement have shown that Azatin is safe for use on covered floriculture crops, tree nursery and perennial crops.

Netherlands crop safety experience:
Safe application on Rose, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Ficus, Begonia
Saintpaulia flowers may be affected; cyclamen may show temporary but acceptable spray deposits

Key: Safe [green]
Temporary spotting (yellow/green]

Strong beneficial profile

Azatin keeps your beneficials healthy and allows you to introduce them quickly after application.

Proof

In one trial, Azatin was shown to give comparable WFT larvae control to the standard treatment in a flowering chrysanthemum crop. Azatin gave 56.9% control of WFT larvae, while thiamethoxam treatment gave 59.0% control vs. untreated (RSK/ADAS Boxworth Bioassay Trial 2016).

In a further trial (SCEPTREplus verbena trial, 2018), Azatin gave over 90% reduction in WFT adults and larvae/flower and 80% reduction in flower damage.

Western Flower Thrips controlled by Azatin in a UK bioassay trial.

Why Botanigard WP

Use Botanigard WP to control the larval stages of whitefly in your ornamental plants and nursery fruit trees under permanent protection with full enclosure.

It’s a proven microbiological pesticide formulated as a wettable powder containing 220 g/kg of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana strain GHA, which is particularly aggressive. Beauveria bassiana works on contact. Consequently, it can attack a range of insects including thrips, spider mites, aphids and some beetle species. A direct spray may also provide incidental control of vine weevil adults.

Lifecycle protection

Botanigard WP is perfect for IPM and ICM systems, with low potential for resistance due to its mode of action – see next section). It’s particularly effective under high whitefly pressure and at the 1st-4th whitefly larval stages. But use Botanigard WP alongside maltodextrin-based Majestik you’ll discover improved efficacy and kill adults as well as scales.

Targeted control of the whitefly lifecycle

You can also team Botanigard WP with Azatin and other tank-mix partners including pyrimethanil or azoxystrobin and biofungicides containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. However, download and check this compatibility list, consult your advisor and contact Certis for confirmation.

Mode of action

Unlike bacterial and viral pathogens of insects, Beauveria bassiana doesn’t need to be ingested.

It’s found naturally in soils and occurs as white muscadine disease in insects. When the fungal spores come in contact with the cuticle of susceptible insects, they germinate and grow directly through the cuticle to the inner body of the host. The fungus proliferates throughout the insect’s body, producing toxins, draining the insect of nutrients, eventually killing it.

Once the fungus has killed its host, it grows back out through the softer portions of the cuticle, covering the insect with a layer of white mould (hence ‘white muscadine’). This may take several days. The mould then produces millions of new infective spores (ascospores) that are released to the environment to find the next host.

                          White muscadine disease                                                  Germinated spores of Beauveria bassiana GHA

How and when to use

Before you start, download and check the Botanigard WP product label and this Best-practice guide.

In general, though, begin application when pest numbers are low. You can make five applications per crop or 25 applications per glasshouse per year. These must be five-seven days apart.

Due to its contact action, ensure good crop coverage – until plants are thoroughly wet but without run-off.

Spray in the evening or under screens when relative humidity is >70% at application and for a further five-six hours. Avoid high UV levels.

Application rates:

Ornamentals (except roses): max concentration (g/100 L) – 62.5; max water volume (L/ha) –1,200; maximum individual dose (kg product/ha) – 0.75

Roses: max concentration (g/100 L) – 62.5; max water volume (L/ha) –1,500; maximum individual dose (kg product/ha) – 0.94

Nursery fruit trees: max concentration (g/100 L) – 62.5; max water volume (L/ha) –1,000; maximum individual dose (kg product/ha) – 0.63

Proof

Several trials demonstrate Botanigard WP’s effectiveness:

– MOPS research (2016) confirmed a tank-mix with Majestik killed WFT on pot mum and improved control by Neoseiulus cucumeris on verbena

– AMBER research (2016) showed a tank-mix with Majestik gave good control of WFT on commercial pot mum equal to control by nematodes

– MOPS research (2016) showed a tank-mix with Majestik reduced numbers of Aphis gossypii on Hebe

Why Gazelle SG

Use Gazelle SG for on-label control of aphid and whitefly species in your outdoor and protected ornamentals.

Gain additional control of sap/plant-chewing and sucking pests such as leafminers (specific species), leafhoppers, mealybugs, beetles and weevils (specific species), leaf midge, scale insects, fly species (e.g. cherry sawfly, columbine sawfly and sciarid fly adults), capsids and some caterpillar species.

At the same time, be sure of low impact on beneficials such as predatory mites that are valuable in controlling difficult pests, and on other species in programmes at pre-flowering stage – all of which makes Gazelle SG a great fit for IPM.

Mode of action

A broad-spectrum neonicotinyl insecticide containing (20% w/w) acetamiprid, Gazelle SG reacts with the pest’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nACh-R), causing hyperactivity and muscle spasms and, eventually, death.

How and when to apply

Apply Gazelle SG at the first sign of insect attack. If necessary, make a second application at least 20 days after the first, with a maximum two per crop. Apply at no lower than the rate specified to ensure good control and prevent the likelihood of resistance build-up. Be sure to cover foliage thoroughly for good control and apply the spray at fine/medium quality.

Outdoor ornamentals

Application rate:

Aphids: 250 g/ha in a water volume of up to 1,000-1,500 L/ha

Protected ornamentals

Application rate:

Aphids: 250 g/ha in a water volume of up to 1,000 L/ha

Whitefly:500 g/ha in a water volume of up to 1,000 L/ha

Why Majestik

Use Majestik (also known in the UK as Eradicoat) to control spider mites in all your ornamental crops, outdoor and protected. You’ll also control whitefly eggs and adults, with some reduction of aphids (limited data).

You’ll discover that Majestik is a fast-acting bioinsecticide containing (49% w/w) maltodextrin in a soluble concentrate (SL) formulation. Based on a naturally-derived food additive, it offers short persistence in the crop with zero harvest interval.

No insect resistance has been recorded with Majestik, making it suitable – and good practice – to use in an IPM system with other control measures.

In addition, Majestik can help provide enhanced whitefly control when used in a tank-mix with Botanigard WP.

Mode of action

Majestik has a physical MoA; it blocks the insect’s spiracles (breathing holes), leading to suffocation. You’ll normally see maximum effects within 2-4 hours of application. Multiple applications will give high levels of control and are necessary for repeat results and mortality.

Mode of action: electron micrograph

Strong beneficial profile

You can introduce beneficials quickly – biocontrols are safe once the spray residue has dried; Majestik works in tandem with macrobiologicals that seek out and predate on the pest.

Key beneficials show high levels of survival after the crop is treated with Majestik:

How and when to apply

Spray at the first sign of attack, ideally in quick-drying conditions to promote pest suffocation.

Make two applications of 25 ml Majestik per litre of water four-seven days apart. For spider mites the second application kills newly-emerged nymphs. You can apply the product up to 20 times per crop. Where pest pressure is high, reduce the interval between applications to four days to achieve complete control.

As Majestik has a contact MoA, ensure good coverage using a fine spray, particularly to the underside of the leaves and growing points. We recommend using a hand-held lance with a flat fan nozzle or hollow cone for best efficacy. Where possible close the protected structure to avoid airflows interfering with the spray pattern deposition.

Target pests:

Spider mites – adults, eggs and nymphs

Whitefly – eggs, larvae, pupae and adults

Proof

Majestik demonstrates strong results on spider mite eggs:

Average of five lab studies

In combination with Botanigard WP, Majestik gave over 90% control of WFT on verbena in a SCEPTREplus trial (2018).

Why Spruzit

Use Spruzit to tackle biting sucking and chewing insects in ornamental crops under permanent protection with full enclosure.

Spruzit controls a broad spectrum of pests at all stages – eggs, larvae and adults. It’s a contact insecticide formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate containing 4.59 g/L pyrethrins and 825.3 g/L rapeseed oil.

You’ll discover that Spruzit has short persistence in the crop and no harvest interval, making it highly adaptable, with low environmental impact.

It also contributes to your resistance-management strategy, with a novel IRAC class (Group 3 + UNE) and a great fit for IPM.

In addition, Spruzit has organic approval: with no PBO (piperonyl butoxide), you’re assured of future acceptance.

Mode of action

With two actives, Spruzit offers unique ‘Double Defence’.

The first active, natural pyrethrins from chrysanthemum flowers, gives quick knockdown, particularly on caterpillars.

The second, a natural rapeseed oil base, blocks the insect’s trachea, so it cannot breathe. This physical impact, delivered by a mixture of triglycerides derived from fatty acids, also helps reduce virus transmission.

How Spruzit works

                                Insect nervous system                                                                                                                    Insect anatomy

How and when to use

As you’ll see, Spruzit is flexible: it allows you to target accurately by pest and crop height with tailored dose rates and water volume. In all cases, however, you may make two applications per crop.

Recommended dose rates by pest

Maximum individual dose rate and water volume by crop height

Application: apply Spruzit at the first sign of pest attack. Use a fine spray to wet the leaves and stems of infested plants thoroughly but avoid direct application to open flowers. Similarly, be sure to wet the lower surface of leaves.

You may need to repeat the application after seven days to maintain control. If you spray against mealy bugs, scale insects and thrips, repeat after 14 days.

The best time to apply is early in the morning or in the evening. Do not apply in direct sunshine or in hot weather. You may see dead insects on the plant leaves for several days before they fall off. Some plants species, such as ferns, Ficus and Poinsettia, may be sensitive and suffer foliage damage, particularly where you have made more than one application. We recommend you conduct a small-scale test before treating more widely.

Crop-safe for superb results

With Spruzit you can be certain your ornamentals stay in optimum condition.

You don’t need to worry about phyotoxicity: in a recent trial, no phytotoxicity was seen and there was no loss or change of colour in the bracts. However, don’t apply Spruzit on crops where sulphur is used as part of a fungicide programme; this can lead to increased risk of phytotoxicity.

While Spruzit gives excellent visual appearance, take care on plants with a waxy leaf surface. Its high rapeseed oil content may leave deposits (in the same trial, the oil in Spruzit simply left a slight gloss on the leaf).

Trial details:

Phytotoxicity trial on poinsettia; Spruzit at label rate for whitefly (12 L/ha).

Spruzit was applied as a fine spray on foliage (to upper and underside of leaves as far as possible) to point of run-off.

Plants were fully-grown (targeted at Week 48 maturity) with semi-mature, semi-coloured bracts.

Trial date: 15 November 2007 (week 46), Leythorne Nursery, Chichester. Weather: sunny, no wind; indoor temperature 22˚C

Untreated leaf (left). Treated with spruzit (right).

Proof

In trials, Spruzit showed strong results on beetles, aphids and spider mites in ornamental crops vs. the reference, an alternative natural pyrethin-based product.

Crop studies, reference Pyrethrum 5EC        Mean of six independent trials                     Mean of six independent trials