Insect control is a challenge for nursery growers. Overuse of older chemistries has led to resistance issues and fewer insecticide options. Because plant health is vital, growers need insecticides that are tough on a broad range of insects but gentle on plants.
Innovative chemistries
XXpire® insecticide combines two proprietary active ingredients – sulfoxaflor and spinetoram — with two different modes of action, reducing the likelihood of resistance and broadening the spectrum of control.
Sulfoxaflor has a unique mode of action (IRAC Group 4C) and is not a neonicotinoid chemistry. It provides excellent knockdown and residual control of sap-feeding insects, including thrips, aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs, with minimal activity against beneficial insects.
Spinetoram is a spinosyn insecticide (IRAC Group 5). Spinosyns are derived from the fermentation of a naturally occurring bacterium. Spinetoram controls thrips and most lepidopteran insect pests and suppresses spider mites.
With these combined chemistries, XXpire controls more than 39 insects, including 7 of the top 10 chewing and sap-feeding pests.
Plant health
Ornamental safety is a critical issue for nursery professionals. In testing on more than 300 plants, including delicate and flowering ornamentals, XXpire showed no signs of phytotoxicity. It leaves no visible residue on leaves or flowers. XXpire was applied at four times the highest labeled application rate in university trials, and no injury was observed.
Risk to beneficials and pollinators
In field studies, the active ingredients in XXpire have shown no significant impact on certain parasitic insects, including spiders, predatory mites, ladybird beetles, minute pirate bugs and lacewings. The active ingredients in XXpire degrade rapidly and exhibit low toxicity to nontarget organisms. In addition, the use of XXpire is not expected to cause outbreaks or flaring of secondary pests.
For greenhouse applications, there are no concerns or restrictions relative to bees and native pollinators. For outdoor nursery or landscape applications, the risk to pollinators is greatly reduced after three hours of drying time or when applications are made while foraging bee activity is low (e.g., two hours prior to sunset or when temperatures are below 50 degrees F).
Resistance management
XXpire controls a wide range of insect pests and is an excellent component of a resistance management program. Because the active ingredients each belong to a unique IRAC group of insecticides, XXpire can be rotated with other commonly used insecticides in different IRAC groups. As with all insecticides, XXpire must be managed to reduce the potential for the development of insect resistance. Resistance management practices include following recommended treatment intervals and rates, rotation of insecticides among different IRAC groups, and scouting and monitoring for pests and damage.
Apply XXpire when pests appear. XXpire starts working as soon as it’s applied. Many insects, such as aphids and lepidopterans, stop feeding right away and start to die. Other pests die within hours. XXpire provides residual activity up to four weeks against certain pests. Make no more than two consecutive applications and then rotate to a new class of chemistry outside of Group 4 or Group 5.
For control of both chewing and sap-feeding insects, include XXpire in any resistance management program, consult our XXPire resources.
™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. XXpire is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Always read and follow label directions.
Posted In: Featured, Insecticides
