Based on the naturally-occurring micro-organism Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki, DiPel® DF offers an effective and easy to use solution for the control of damaging caterpillar pests in the widest range of horticultural, agricultural and amenity situations. Late last year, adding to its already extensive list of 190 approved uses, CRD issued another new SOLA for DiPel for use on vines.
Because vines are a specialist crop and in response to a number of technical queries, it is important that the terms of its approval and information on conditions for optimum use, based on experience with this product in vineyards elsewhere, are made available.
DiPel DF is a water soluble granule formulation containing insecticidal crystal proteins and spores from the naturally-occurring micro-organism Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki, which are specifically active against the caterpillars of lepidopterous insects. In the case of vines, these are likely to be species of tortrix moth and light brown apple moth, as well as grape berry moth if it becomes a problem in the UK. It has no activity on other types of insects. Because its mode of action is multiple and complex, resistance is highly unlikely.
Dipel DF is applied in the same way as any conventional insecticide, mixing the recommended dose rate with sufficient water to give good coverage of the target crop. After spraying, the product remains on the plant surfaces and feeding caterpillar pests will ingest it. Within minutes the ingested product causes gut irritation inside the caterpillar and the pest quickly stops feeding. Death of the pest occurs within 1 to 3 days, and is particularly rapid with the first instar larvae. Older larvae take longer to die, but will have stopped feeding, preventing any further crop damage.
DiPel DF should be applied at the first signs of the pest, preferably during an active feeding period. It is applied with a conventional hydraulic sprayer at a maximum individual dose of 0.75 kg of product per hectare in a sufficient volume of water to ensure complete coverage of the crop being treated. Water pH should be around neutral and if water pH is over 8, a suitable water conditioner should be used.
The product should be sprayed onto dry vegetation and allowed to dry on the crop for 6 hours. Rainfastness can be improved by adding a suitable adjuvant such as methylated vegetable oil. Whilst DiPel has persistence of up to 2 weeks, repeat sprays can be applied with a minimum interval of 7 days. A major advantage of DiPel is that there is no maximum number of sprays and no harvest interval.
As for any SOLA, growers need to obtain a copy of the notice of approval via the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) web site, ADAS offices or NFU. The SOLA reference number for DiPel in vines is 2882 of 2010.
Developed by Valent Biosciences of the US, part of Sumitomo Chemical Company, DiPel is recommended as a biological insecticide for the control of caterpillars in vegetables, soft fruit, ornamentals and amenity vegetation. It is packed in 0.5 kgs packs.
In the SOLA notice of approval, CRD point out that, as is the case for all SOLA’s, liability lies with the user and growers are advised to test a small area of crop prior to commercial use.
