Warmer Than Normal September Temperatures Pose a Challenge for Pre-harvest Insect Control

By The Certis Team

The NOAA is forecasting warmer-than-normal temperatures in September across much of the U.S.. These forecast conditions favor increased insect pressure in fruit and vegetable crops. In a typical season, September weather brings high infestation rates for thrips and whiteflies and moderate to high infestations of aphids. Given the NOAA forecast, growers can expect increased activity and potential pre-harvest damage from these three pests.

Flexibility Is Key for Late-Season Insect Control
This expected late season increase in insect pressure presents conventional growers with a complex challenge. When insect infestations occur, growers need to make applications to protect crop quality, even when harvest is approaching. As harvest nears, they must carefully consider which insecticides can be used based on PHI and MRL requirements, which can limit their options.

PHI and MRL requirements can vary by crop, even for the same insecticide. Farms growing multiple crops must account for these differences when planning applications. As harvest approaches and insect pressure increases, flexible crop protection options can help growers respond quickly to changing conditions.

A Better Solution
When environmental conditions favor late-season insect infestations, growers need to consider flexible options that can protect their crops without the added complexity of PHI and MRL limitations.

Certis Bio recommends two insecticides: BoteGHA® ES and PFR-97® 10% ES. Both products are MRL exempt, providing greater application flexibility compared with many synthetic insecticides.  

Field Notes
Esther Gachango, Southeast Field Development Manager, stresses the importance of maintaining a rigorous scouting schedule this time of year. With environmental conditions so favorable for insect infestations, it is critical to catch them early before populations have a chance to build. With the application flexibility of BoteGHA ES and PFR-97 10%, growers have greater flexibility when making late-season applications and managing PHI and residue considerations.

BoteGHA® ES

• Beauveria bassiana strain GHA (the fungal active ingredient in BoteGHA ES) kills insects through fungal infection following contact with the product.
• Controls insects resistant to synthetic insecticides but is easy on beneficials
• Labeled for aphids, thrips, whiteflies, along with psyllids and mites (ensure to consult label and 2ee’s for approved pests)
• Under favorable conditions, the fungal spores release from dead insects to infect more pest insects
• A broad crop label simplifies spray scheduling across different crop acres
• A 5- to 10-day reapplication schedule keeps populations in check
• Allows late-season purchases without concerns about expired excess inventory  

PFR-97® 10% ES

• The entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea in PFR-97 10%ES, kills a wide variety of crop damaging insects through fungal infection following contact with the product.
• Controls many foliar insects including aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mites, Lygus spp., mealybugs and others
• A wide crop label simplifies spray scheduling
• Fungal spores can be released from dead insects to contact and eliminate other insect pests

Talk to your local Certis regional manager or retailer to see which product best fits your late-season/pre-harvest crop protection plan.

* Always consult product label for complete list of crops and diseases managed.

Interested in learning more?

Additional Product Resources:
For additional information on BoteGHA® ES and PFR-97® 10% ES including technical specifications and labeled use directions, please refer to the resources below. 

• BoteGHA ES: Tech Sheet | Product Label
  
• PFR-97 10% ES: Product Label
  
  

Always read and follow label directions. For a full list of protected crops and controlled diseases, visit the product pages and refer to the product labels.