New Off-label Approval for Borneo in strawberries

The contact-acting acaricide Borneo has a new off label approval for use in strawberries for the control of the two-spotted spider mite to add to its label recommendations in protected tomatoes and aubergines and its SOLA in protected ornamental plants.

Etoxazole, the active ingredient of Borneo, is a contact acting acaricide that works by inhibiting chitin production, so affecting moulting and growing in spider mites. This results in effective control of eggs and all immature stages of the spider mites. It also has an adverse effect on egg production in adult females, through its chitin inhibition, and so makes the female sterile.

Etoxazole is from the oxaline group of insecticides and shows no cross-resistance to any other acaricides. It will have a useful place as the first spray in the spider mite control programme.

The product will give best performance if used at the first appearance of the first mobile stages of spider mites. It should also be applied in sufficient water volumes to obtain good crop coverage, with a minimum of 500 litres of water/hectare. Borneo has a residual action of around 45 to 60 days. It also has little adverse effect on bees, predatory mites or wasps and is expected to fit in well within IPM systems.

Growers need to obtain a copy of the notice of approval to use Borneo in strawberries via the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) web site, ADAS offices, the HDC or NFU. The SOLA reference number is 2400 of 2009. Growers are advised to test a small area of crop prior to commercial use.

Developed by Sumitomo Chemical Company, Borneo contains 110 gms/litre etoxazole formulated as a suspension concentrate. It is recommended for the control of spider mites on protected tomatoes and aubergines as well as having a SOLA on protected ornmamentals and strawberries. It is applied at 25-30 mls per 100 litres of water in a minimum of 500 litres of water. One application of Borneo is allowed per crop. It is packed in 250 mls 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.

Accordingly, Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd as manufacturer of Borneo and Interfarm as UK distributor decline any liability in case of crop damage or efficacy enquiries.