A new Special Local Needs label provides an option for blueberry growers and aerial applicators for controlling spotted wing Drosophila.
Posted on May 6, 2014 by Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved a Special Local Needs (24c) label for the use of Fyfanon ULV, an insecticide containing malathion, for use against spotted wing Drosophila. This is for use in highbush and lowbush blueberries and is valid through April 2019.
This insecticide is labeled at 10 fluid ounces per acre with a maximum of five applications per season. There is also a 10-day minimum application interval and a one-day preharvest interval. The restricted entry interval is 12 hours.
Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide that has shown good efficacy against spotted wing Drosophila in research trials with other formulations. It is not expected to provide more than one week of residual control and it will lose significant activity if residues are subject to rainfall or overhead irrigation. If using this product for spotted wing Drosophila control, Michigan State University Extension advises that it should be rotated with other insecticides from different chemical classes.
See the recommendations for management of this pest online at the MSU Spotted Wing Drosophila website.
Dr. Isaacs’ work is funded in part by MSU’s AgBioResearch.
This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).