You Are Here: Management Updates 2005 Archive March 23, 2005

Date: March 23, 2005
Category: Insects
Subject: Insecticide News

Dylox™ Label Has Been Expanded

According to representatives from Bayer CropScience, the Dylox™ (trichlorfon) label has been expanded. Most significantly for golf course superintendents, the annual bluegrass weevil (a.k.a. Hyperodes weevil) has been added to the label for both the Dylox 6.2G and Dylox 80 SP products. However, there are three caveats here.

1. First, some of the lots that are coming out of the production facilities do not have the new label on them. So even though the EPA has approved the label change, the product in those containers would not be legal to use on annual bluegrass weevils because the insect is not on that label.

2. Second, the wording on the granular label includes annual bluegrass weevil adults, but I am not aware of any field work that indicates the product is effective targeting adults (regardless of formulation). Those superintendents who choose to use Dylox™ should consider it as a spot-treatment to clean up areas where larvae have become active unexpectedly.

3. Finally, remember that even though the EPA has approved the change, each state must still act on the new label. So be sure to check with your state regulatory officials to determine whether the new Dylox™ label has been approved in your state before you use the product for annual bluegrass weevils.

Allectus™ Has Received an EPA Label

Allectus™, a combination of bifenthrin (Talstar™) and imidacloprid (Merit™) received a federal label over the winter months. This one will be an interesting product, supported by both FMC and Bayer. The two companies are still trying to determine how best to position the product, but the expectation is that it will be marketed in commercial lawn care especially. The combination of a surface-active product (bifenthrin) and a grub product (imidacloprid) seems to make application timing a little easier.

However, I would still caution turf managers to avoid the temptation to use any imidacloprid product too early in the season in the Northeast. We have several grub species that are a little harder to manage, and timing of imidacloprid needs to be more precise than it does in other parts of the country. So review your field history and make sure you opt for a program that will target grubs at the right time of year. If grubs are your primary insect pest, you probably should avoid applying imidacloprid products any earlier than mid June if at all possible.

And just as with the Dylox™ label changes, the same reminder is presented here. Even though the federal label has been approved, each state must approve Allectus™ for use in that state. Some states are expected to act reasonably quickly, while others will probably take a little longer. So check with your state regulatory officials to be sure Allectus™ has been approved in your state before using it.

Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum

DISCLAIMER - As always, it is the responsibility of the applicator to verify the registration status of any pesticide BEFORE applying it. Different states have different regulations as well. The author and the University of Massachusetts are not liable for any consequences of any pesticide "recommendations". Mention of any trade name is not to be considered endorsement of a product.