Questions with Nancy Rechcigl

Diamide insecticides provide a non-neonicotinoid alternative for growers. They work preventively to protect ornamental crops, trees and shrubs from damaging insect pests. Nancy Rechcigl, technical field manager for ornamentals at Syngenta, explains how diamides work and how best to incorporate them into an integrated pest management program.

What are diamide insecticides?

Diamides are ryanodine receptor modulators in a recent group of insecticidal modes of action in Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 28. This unique class of chemistry offers an alternative for growers looking for non-neonicotinoid chemistries to add into their programs. Active ingredients in this class of chemistry include chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole, which power Acelepryn^® and Mainspring^® GNL insecticides, respectively.

How do diamides work?

Acelepryn and Mainspring GNL work by activating ryanodine receptors in insect pests, which results in unregulated calcium release. The calcium stores are then depleted, leading to muscle paralysis and eventual death. Upon ingestion, insects will stop feeding, which limits damage to the plant and prevents disease transmission. Insect mortality will occur within 2-7 days.

How should Mainspring GNL and Acelepryn be applied?

As newer innovations, it is important to understand diamides should be applied differently than other chemistries. Insecticidal activity is primarily through ingestion, so they are best used at the first sign of pest activity to prevent populations from establishing.

As a foliar spray, Mainspring GNL can be applied on 14-21-day intervals. With a drench application once plants have rooted into containers, it can provide long-lasting, broad-spectrum control for up to 12 weeks. It prevents damage from insect pests such as whiteflies, thrips, aphids, leafminers, caterpillars, lace bugs and more.

To get ahead of leaf-feeding beetles and lepidopteran pests, Acelepryn can be applied in a variety of ways. One foliar application at first sign of insect pressure can provide up to four weeks of extended residual control. Bark applications for clearwing moth and borer larvae can be made after adult moths emerge, but before eggs hatch in spring or summer. Drench applications for white grubs, including Japanese beetles, should be made prior to egg lay in late spring or early summer. Systemic soil treatment for lace bugs, aphids and birch leafminers should be made two to three months prior to pest pressure to allow the active ingredient to translocate throughout the plant.

Can diamides be used in conjunction with biologicals?

Yes, diamide insecticides can be used in integrated programs with many biologicals, including predatory mites, parasitoids and predators such as Orius. In a field trial evaluating treatments for control of Magnolia scale, natural enemies of the scale were also occasionally observed on trees treated with Mainspring GNL and Acelepryn insecticides, illustrating their compatible, non-disruptive nature. Using diamide insecticides can help strengthen your integrated pest management program and lead to more successful production. The long residual activity provided by Mainspring GNL and Acelepryn results in fewer applications, saving time and resources for ornamental production facilities.

Learn more at GreenCastOnline.com/MainspringGNL or GreenCastOnline.com/Acelepryn.