A new top fruit insecticide from Syngenta will give pear growers a highly effective new option for Pear Sucker control this season. Agrimec is the first UK top fruit registration of abamectin, a top-selling insecticide used by growers across Europe and the USA.
Independent trials by East Malling Research have shown control of Pear Sucker larvae with an initial post-flowering Agrimec application in May cut the number of nymphs on leaves by an average of over 60% within 10 days, compared to just 13% reduction with spirodiclofen. A follow-up application of Agrimec, after two weeks, further reduced pest numbers in the Conference pear crop to an average of less than three nymphs per leaf.
The two-spray Agrimec trial programmes also proved highly effective in reducing Sooty Mould and Calyx blackening. The average Sooty Mould score was effectively halved compared to the untreated crop, with the Calyx blackening severity also significantly reduced. The spirodiclofen treatment gave no significant reduction of either Sooty Mould or Calyx blackening, compared to untreated.
Syngenta Technical Manager, Michael Tait, reports Agrimec is effective against all larval stages of the pest, including those emerging from eggs sprayed at the ’orange’ stage of development. "Control of Pear Sucker larvae also results in a beneficial reduction in Sooty Mould and less honeydew contamination of fruit," he adds.
Agrimec is rapidly taken up into the leaf following application and creates a reservoir of active ingredient within the leaf; feeding larvae are quickly paralysed and die after a few days. Effective spray coverage of the leaf during application is important.
"Best results are achieved with Agrimec targeted at the larvae as the second generation of eggs start to hatch; the product is not an ovicide," advises Mr Tait. "With large pest populations a second application may be required after 10 to 14 days." Applications should be made post-flowering, typically though late May to mid-June; the late season this year could see most applications towards the end of the window.
Research has shown that when applied at the recommended post-flowering timing Agrimec is compatible with Anthocorid predatory bugs in an Integrated Pest Management programme. For effective resistance management, Agrimec is from the IRAC chemical group 6.
Top fruit growers in Europe also use Agrimec against attacks of Pear Rust Mite, achieving very high levels of long-term control lasting over four weeks.
