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Insect and Mite Management Suggestions for Commercial Poinsettia Production ¹

James F. Price, Curtis Nagle and Elzie McCord, Jr.²

The vibrant red, pink, white or variegated poinsettia is synonymous with Christmas, and greenhouse, shade house and open field nurseries produce them to coincide with the Thanksgiving to Christmas holiday season. Consumers enjoy poinsettias as hanging baskets, 4 to 8-inch pots and as chest high, single-stem trees, although multiple stem plants in 6-inch pots account for greatest sales. Regardless of growth type, poinsettias add seasonal essence to homes, shopping malls, churches and businesses.

Forty-two major farms produced 4.5 million pots of poinsettias in Florida during 2001 valued at $13.3 million. These were sold in the southeastern U.S.

Important arthropod pests include silverleaf whitefly, fungus gnats, and several others throughout the state. The poinsettia hornworm, or ello moth, is notably important in south Florida.

The Tables in this document list chemicals that are presently available to commercial poinsettia producers in Florida and are organized alphabetically by the following major pest groups:

• Armyworms (see also Caterpillars)

• Caterpillars (see also Armyworms and Poinsettia Hornworm)

• Fungus Gnats

• Mealybugs

• Poinsettia Hornworm (see also Caterpillars)

• Scales

• Shore Flies

• Slugs & Snails

• Spider Mites

• Thrips

• Whiteflies

For each pest presented, products available for control are grouped by active ingredient. Beneficial nematodes and microbial insecticides, components of biological control, are included also. Usually only one example of each formulation is given; however, there may be other products as effective as those listed. Notes taken from labels are provided to qualify some uses.

Precautionary statements, re-entry intervals, restricted use status, and registrants are available in a separate publication, Insecticides, Miticides & Molluscicides Available to Florida's Floricultural Industry (ENY-679) (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN472 ), to aid in the selection and safe use of appropriate pesticides. When available, hyperlinks to labels are provided in the electronic form. Hyperlinks are to business Web sites and not to any source maintained by the University of Florida and may change without notice.

Many pesticides decompose in the spray tank when mixed with water above pH 7. Growers should test the pH of their water and, when above 7, should add a buffering solution to maintain pH in the 6.5 to 7 range.

This summary is only a guide to aid in selection of pesticides. Care has been given to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but it is possible that through label changes, errors, etc., improper uses may be indicated. In all cases it is the responsibility of the applicator to read, understand, and comply with the label that accompanies each pesticide container.

As an additional precaution, keep the telephone number and address of the nearest county poison control center in a convenient location in case of an accidental poisoning. Also, keep clean copies of labels of all pesticides that are on the premises. In the event of a poisoning, the label of the pesticide involved should be taken to the poison control center or hospital.

Tables

Table 1. Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida. (See also Caterpillars).

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai	XenTari, DF	F, G
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki	Javelin WG	F, G
	Dipel Pro DF, 2X	F, G
	Troy-BT 2WP	F, G	If mature worms or heavy populations are present, a contact insecticide should be used to enhance control.
	Biobit HP	F, G	May be used to control small armyworms (1st & 2nd instar) when populations are light and full coverage sprays are applied.
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki EG7841	Crymax WP	F, G
Carbaryl	Sevin SL	F
Chlorpyrifos	Chlorpyrifos Pro 2	F	Nursery stock in nurseries
	Chlorpyrifos Pro 4	F, G	Nursery (F)
	Dursban 50W	F	Nursery
Diflubenzuron	Dimilin 25W	F, G	Shade house (F); Beet Armyworm
	Dimilin SC	F, G	Shade house (F)
Fenpropathrin	Tame 2.4EC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not use less than a 7-day retreatment interval.
Permethrin	Pounce 25WP, WSB Pounce 3.2EC Ambush Perm-Up 3.2EC	F	Field grown nursery stock; Beet Armyworm
	Ambush 25W	F	Beet armyworm; field grown nursery stock; Do not apply more than 2.0 lbs. a.i. per acre per season. Application to blooming plants may cause browning of petals.
Steinernema carpocapsae	Millenium	F, G	Nursery (F)
Tebufenozide	Confirm T/O	F, G	Nursery (F); Do not use to control more than three consecutive generations of pests in a cropping area (field) regardless of the crop rotation on that field. If you are unsure of the number of generations treated do not use more than four times within any 80-day interval. If Confirm has been applied four times in 80 days or less, allow at least 40 days to pass before making additional applications.
Trichlorfon	Proxol 80SP	F
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 2. Caterpillar (Lepidoptera) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida. (See also Section headings for these named caterpillars: Armyworms, Poinsettia Hornworm)

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC	F, G
	Azatin XL	F, G
Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai	XenTari, DF	F, G
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki	Javelin WG	F, G
	Dipel Pro DF, 2X	F, G
	Troy-BT 2WP	F, G	If mature worms or heavy populations are present a contact insecticide should be used to enhance control.
	Biobit HP	F, G	May be used to control small armyworms (1st & 2nd instar) when populations are light and full coverage sprays are applied.
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki EG7841	Crymax WP	F, G
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
Bifenthrin	Talstar N	F, G	Shade House & Nursery (F).
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade House & Nursery (F); Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
	Talstar GH Prescription	G
	Attain TR	G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20WP, WSP	F, G
Deltamethrin	Deltagard GC 5SC	F	Nursery
Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Scimitar GC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not apply more than 0.36 lbs. a.i. (52.4 fl. oz. of concentrate) per acre per year.
Permethrin	Astro	F, G	Field & container grown nursery stock (F); Do not apply more than 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre per year.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	M-Pede	F	Cutworm; Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure. Bracts may be injured when sprayed.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	Diatect Multipurpose	F
	Pyreth-It	F, G
	Pyrenone Crop Spray	F, G
Pyrethrins, Rotenone & Other Cube Resins	Pyrellin EC	F, G	Apply in intervals of 7 days or less.
Spinosad	Conserve SC	F, G	When used in greenhouse or areas of commercial production of herbaceous (non-woody) ornamentals in nurseries (including plant propagation beds), do not apply more than 10 times in a 12-month period per crop regardless of the pest being treated.
Tau-Fluvalinate	Mavrik Aquaflow	F, G
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 3. Fungus gnat (Diptera: Sciaridae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Acephate	1300 Orthene TR	G
Azadirachtin	Azatin XL Ornazin 3% EC	F, G
Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis	Gnatrol	F, G	Soil drench for control of larvae only; Plantings in potting soil mixtures only (F).
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
Bifenthrin	Attain TR Talstar GH	G
	Talstar N Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade house & Nursery (F).
	Talstar Nursery Granular	F	Larvae; Containerized nursery stocks
Chlorpyrifos	Duraguard ME	F, G	Nursery (F); Potted plants (G)
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20WP, WPS	F, G
Cyromazine	Citation	F, G	Container and shade house grown (F); Will not control adult stages. Do not make more than six applications to one crop.
Deltamethrin	Deltagard GC 5SC	F	Nursery
Diazinon	KnoxOut NL	F	Larvae; Nursery
	KnoxOut GH	G	Larvae; For use until December 31, 2004.
Fenoxycarb	Precision	F, G	Container and Shade house grown (F); Do not exceed a maximum of 30 applications per year for greenhouse use. Applications should not be made to poinsettia after bract formation.
Permethrin	Astro	F, G	Field and container grown nursery stock (F); Do not apply more than 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre per year.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
	Pyrenone Crop Spray	F, G
Pyriproxyfen	Distance	F, G	Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Pyrigro	F, G	Larvae; Shade house & garden centers (F); Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months.
Refined Petroleum Distillate	Saf-T-Side Spray Oil	G	Do not use in combination with or immediately before or after spraying with fungicides such as Captan, Folpet, oxythioquinox (Morestan) or any product containing sulfur. Also do not use with carbaryl (Sevin) or dimethoate (Cygon). Do not use with any product whose label recommends the use of no oils. Do not use in combination with NPK foliar fertilizer applications.
	Ultra-Fine Oil	G	Caution:spray no more than four consecutive sprays. The frequency of consecutive sprays should not exceed once every 2 weeks. Early morning applications are recommended.
S-Kinoprene	Enstar II	G	Application should be made to poinsettia before bract formation. Foliar damage on some sensitive varieties can result.
Steinernema carpocapsae	Millenium	F, G	Nursery (F)
Steinernema feltiae	Nemasys	F, G	Larvae; Nursery (F); If fungus gnats are established it may take 2 to 3 weeks before the number of adults is noticeably reduced.
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 4. Mealybug (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Acephate	1300 Orthene TR Address T/O	G
Azadirachtin	Azatin XL Ornazin 3% EC	F, G
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
	Botanigard 22WP	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F)
	Botanigard ES	F, G	Nursery (F)
Bifenthrin	Attain TR Talstar Flowable Talstar GH	G
	Talstar N	F, G	Shade House & Nursery (F)
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade House & Nursery (F); Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
	Talstar Nursery Granular	F	Containerized nursery stocks.
Carbaryl	Sevin SL	F
Chlorpyrifos	Chlorpyrifos Pro 2	F	Nursery stock in nurseries
	Chlorpyrifos Pro 4	F, G	Nursery (F); Some varieties show varying degrees of phytotoxicity.
	Duraguard ME	F, G	Mealybugs, root mealybugs; Nursery (F); Potted plants (G).
	Dursban 50W (WSP)	F	Nursery
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil	Triact 70	F, G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20WP, WPS	F, G
Deltamethrin	Deltagard GC 5SC	F	Nursery
Diazinon	KnoxOut GH	G	Mealybugs (citrus, stem & root); For use until December 31, 2004.
	KnoxOut NL	F	Nursery; Mealybugs (citrus, stem, and root).
Dimethoate	5 lb. Dimethoate Systemic Dimethoate 4EC	F	Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
	Dimethoate 267, 400, 4E	F	Do not use on any ornamental stock plants grown as a source of propagation material, such as cuttings. Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
Fenpropathrin	Tame 2.4EC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not use less than a 7-day retreatment interval.
Imidacloprid	Marathon 1% Granular	F, G	Nursery (F); For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds, applications cannot exceed a total of 40 lbs. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon 60WP	F, G	Nursery (F); Soil treatment only;Outdoor ornamentals grown in beds applications cannot exceed a total of 10.7 oz. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon II	F, G	On outdoor ornamentals do not apply more than 1.6 pt. (0.4 lbs. a.i.) per acre per year.
Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Scimitar GC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not apply more than 0.36 lbs. a.i. (52.4 fl. oz. of concentrate) per acre per year.
Malathion	Atrapa 5E Gowan Malathion 8 Flowable Malathion 5 Malathion 5EC Prozap Malathion 57EC	F
Methidathion	Supracide 25-W	F	Nursery
Permethrin	Astro	F, G	Field and container grown nursery stock (F); Do not apply more than 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre per year.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	Insecticidal Soap 49.52	F, G	Caution: Do not use on new transplants, newly rooted cuttings, or plants stressed by drought or with tender new foliage present. Do not apply to poinsettias after bract coloration begins.
	M-Pede	F, G	Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure. Bracts may be injured when sprayed.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
	Pyrenone Crop Spray	F, G
Pyrethrins, Piperonyl Butoxide Technical & Silicon Dioxide	Diatect Multipurpose Insecticide II	F
Pyrethrins, Rotenone & Other Cube Resins	Pyrellin EC	F, G	Apply in intervals of 7 days or less.
Pyriproxyfen	Distance	F, G	Suppression; Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
Refined Petroleum Distillate	Saf-T-Side Spray Oil	F, G	Do not use in combination with or immediately before or after spraying with fungicides such as Captan, Folpet, oxythioquinox (Morestan) or any product containing sulfur. Also do not use with carbaryl (Sevin) or dimethoate (Cygon). Do not use with any product whose label recommends the use of no oils. Do not use in combination with NPK foliar fertilizer applications.
	Ultra-Fine Oil	F, G	Caution: spray no more than four consecutive sprays. The frequency of consecutive sprays should not exceed once every 2 weeks. Early morning applications are recommended.
S-Kinoprene	Enstar II	G	Mealybugs, root (ground) mealybug; Application should be made to poinsettia before bract formation. Foliar damage on some sensitive varieties can result.
Tau-Fluvalinate	Mavrik Aquaflow	F, G
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 5. Poinsettia hornworm (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida. (See also Caterpillars)

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Carbaryl	Sevin SL	F
Chlorpyrifos	Chlorpyrifos Pro 4	F, G	Nursery (F); Some varieties show varying degrees of phytotoxicity.
	Duraguard ME	F, G	Nursery (F); Potted plants (G)
	Chlorpyrifos Pro 2	F	Nursery stock in nurseries
	Dursban 50W (WSP)	F	Nursery
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 6. Scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae; Coccidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Acephate	1300 Orthene TR	G	Potted plants
	Address T/O	G	Crawlers
Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC	F, G	Soft Scales (G)
Azinphos-Methyl	Guthion Solupak	F	Nursery stock; cerococcus scale; euonymus scale; oystershell scale; pulvinaria scale; brown soft scale; putnam scale; Under normal conditions a maximum of 4 applications may be made.
Bifenthrin	Attain TR	G
	Talstar Flowable Talstar GH	G	Brown soft scale; California red scale (crawlers); San Jose scale (crawlers)
	Talstar N	F, G	Brown soft scale; California red scale (crawlers); San Jose scale (crawlers); Shade House & Nursery (F)
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Brown soft scale; California red scale (crawlers); San Jose scales (crawlers); Shade House & Nursery; Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
Carbaryl	Sevin SL	F	Crawlers
Chlorpyrifos	Chlorpyrifos Pro 2	F	Nursery stock in nurseries
	Chlorpyrifos Pro 4	F, G	Nursery (F); Some varieties show varying degrees of phytotoxicity.
	Duraguard ME	F, G	Nursery (F); Potted plants (G)
	Dursban 50W (WSP)	F	Nursery
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil	Triact 70	F, G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20 WP, WPS	F, G	Crawlers
Deltamethrin	Deltagard GC 5SC	F	Nursery; Crawlers
Diazinon	KnoxOut GH	G	For use until December 31, 2004.
	KnoxOut NL	F	Nursery
Dimethoate	5 lb. Dimethoate Systemic Dimethoate 4EC	F	Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
	Dimethoate 267, 400, 4E	F	Do not use on any ornamental stock plants grown as a source of propagation material, such as cuttings. Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
Disulfoton	Di-Syston 15%G	F	Camellia scale; European elm scale; soft scale (Coccus hesperidium); tea scale
Fenoxycarb	Precision	F, G	Soft scales; Sprays for control of scale should be directed to the crawler stage. Container and Shade house grown (F); Do not exceed a maximum of 30 applications per year for greenhouse use. Applications should not be made to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Preclude TR	G	Potted plants
Imidacloprid	Marathon 1% Granular	F, G	Armored scale (suppression); Soft scale; Nursery (F); For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds, applications cannot exceed a total of 40 lbs. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon 60WP	F, G	Nursery (F); Soil treatment only; For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds, applications cannot exceed a total of 10.7 oz. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Scimitar GC	F, G	Brown soft scale; scale (crawlers); Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not apply more than 0.36 lbs. a.i. (52.4 fl. oz. of concentrate) per acre per year.
Malathion	Atrapa 5E Gowan Malathion 8 Flowable Malathion 5 Malathion 5EC Prozap Malathion 57EC	F
Methidathion	Supracide 25-W	F	Nursery
Oxydemeton-Methyl	Metasystox-R	F	Field grown nursery stock; European elm scale; Do not make more than two applications per season.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	Insecticidal Soap 49.52	F, G	Caution: Do not use on new transplants, newly rooted cuttings, or plants stressed by drought or with tender new foliage present. Do not apply to poinsettias after bract coloration begins.
	M-Pede	F, G	Euonymus scale; Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
Pyriproxyfen	Distance	F, G	Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Pyrigro	F, G	Shade house (F); Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
Refined Petroleum Distillate	Saf-T-Side Spray Oil	F, G	Do not use in combination with or immediately before or after spraying with fungicides such as Captan, Folpet, oxythioquinox (Morestan) or any product containing sulfur. Also do not use with carbaryl (Sevin) or dimethoate (Cygon). Do not use with any product whose label recommends the use of no oils. Do not use in combination with NPK foliar fertilizer applications.
	Ultra-Fine Oil	F, G	Caution: Spray no more than four consecutive sprays. The frequency of consecutive sprays should not exceed once every 2 weeks. Early morning applications are recommended.
S-Kinoprene	Enstar II	G	Application should be made to poinsettia before bract formation. Foliar damage on some sensitive varieties can result.
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 7. Shore fly (Diptera: Ephydridae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC Azatin XL	F, G
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
Chlorpyrifos	Duraguard ME	F, G	Nursery (F); Potted plants (G)
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Cyromazine	Citation	G	Will not control adult stages. Do not make more than six applications to one crop.
Diazinon	KnoxOut GH	G	Larvae; For use until December 31, 2004.
	KnoxOut NL	F	Larvae; Nursery
Fenoxycarb	Precision	F, G	Soft scales; Sprays for control of scale should be directed to the crawler stage. Container and Shade house grown (F); Do not exceed a maximum of 30 applications per year for greenhouse use. Applications should not be made to poinsettia after bract formation.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	M-Pede	F, G	Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure.
Pyriproxyfen	Distance	F, G	Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
Steinernema carpocapsae	Millenium	F, G	Nursery (F)
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 8. Slugs and snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Limacidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Metaldehyde	Deadline Bullets, M-PS	F, G	Nursery (F)
	Durham Metaldehyde Granules 3.5, 7.5 Trails End E.5, LG	G	Do not apply directly on to plants; A bait; Do not re-water for 48 hours; For heavily infested greenhouses a second application is recommended 7 to 10 days after first application.
Methiocarb	Mesurol 75-W, Pro	F, G	Nursery & mature plantings (F); Do not apply with oil.
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 9. Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Abamectin	Avid 0.15EC	F, G	Twospotted spider mite
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
Bifenazate	Floramite	F, G	Do not make more than 2 applications per crop per year. Do not apply more than 16 oz per acre per year. Apply only one application of Floramite before rotating to products of an alternative chemical class and use at least two alternate products between treatments of Floramite.
Bifenthrin	Attain TR Talstar Flowable Talstar GH	G
	Talstar N	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F)
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F); Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
Chlorfenapyr	Pylon	G	Phytotoxicity is likely to occur to some varieties of poinsettia. Do not apply more than three applications (not more than 41 fl. oz. of product or 0.64 lbs. of a.i.) during a crop cycle. Do not apply more than two times consecutively and do not apply to consecutive crops in a greenhouse structure.
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Cinnamaldehyde	Cinnamite	F, G	Do not use on poinsettia plants once bracts are set.
Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil	Triact 70	F, G
Clofentezine	Ovation SC	F, G	Twospotted spider mite; nursery stock, shade house & container grown (F); Recommended application frequency is once per crop cycle in greenhouse, saran house, and shade house culture, and once per each crop cycle occurring within a year for outdoor ornamentals.
Dicofol	Kelthane 50WSP	F	Applicators must be in enclosed cabs or cockpits. Nursery (F); twospotted spider mite; Resistance management: As a general rule, rotate use with miticides with different modes of action and limit the number of applications to an average of one per season. Do not make more than two applications per crop or season. If two applications are made in a single growing season, no application should be made during the following year.
	Kelthane Turf & Ornamental	F	Applicators must be in enclosed cabs or cockpits. Nursery (F); twospotted spider mite; Resistance management: as a general rule, rotate use with miticides with different modes of action and limit the number of applications to one crop or season. In no case should more than two applications be made to a crop or in a single growing season.
Dimethoate	5 lb. Dimethoate Systemic Dimethoate 4EC	F	Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 10. Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Abamectin	Avid 0.15EC	F, G
Acephate	1300 Orthene TR	G	Potted plants
Azadirachtin	Azatin XL	F, G
	Ornazin 3% EC	G
Azinphos-Methyl	Guthion Solupak	F	Nursery stock; Under normal conditions a maximum of 4 applications may be made.
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
	Botanigard 22WP	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F)
	Botanigard ES	F, G	Nursery (F)
Bifenthrin	Attain TR Talstar GH	G
	Talstar N	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F)
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F); Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
Carbaryl	Sevin SL	F	Exposed thrips
Chlorpyrifos	Duraguard ME	F, G	Nursery (F); Potted plants (G)
	Dursban 50W (WSP)	F	Exposed thrips; nursery
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20WP, WPS	F, G
Diazinon	KnoxOut GH	G	For use until December 31, 2004.
	KnoxOut NL	F	Nursery
Disulfoton	Di-Syston 15%G	F
Fenoxycarb	Precision	F, G	Not for adult stage. Container and shade house grown (F); Do not exceed a maximum of 30 applications per year for greenhouse use. Applications should not be made to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Preclude TR	G	Potted plants
Fenpropathrin	Tame 2.4EC	F, G	Nursery & shade house (F); Do not use less than a 7-day retreatment interval.
Imidacloprid	Marathon 1% Granular	F, G	Suppression; Nursery (F); For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds, applications cannot exceed a total of 40 lbs. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon 60WP	F, G	Suppression; Nursery (F); Soil treatment only; For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds applications cannot exceed a total of 10.7 oz. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon II	F, G	Thrips are suppressed on foliage only, not in buds or flowers. On outdoor ornamentals do not apply more than 1.6 pt. (0.4 lbs. a.i.) per acre per year.
Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Scimitar GC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not apply more than 0.36 lbs. a.i. (52.4 fl. oz. of concentrate) per acre per year.
Malathion	Gowan Malathion 8 Flowable Malathion 5 Malathion 5EC Prozap Malathion 57EC	F
Methiocarb	Mesurol 75-W	F, G	Western flower thrips; Nursery (F); Do not apply with oil.
Permethrin	Ambush 25W	F	Citrus thrips; field grown nursery stock; Do not apply more than 2.0 lbs. a.i. per acre per season. Application to blooming plants may cause browning of petals.
	Ambush Perm-Up 3.2EC Pounce 25WP, WSB Pounce 3.2EC	F	Citrus thrips; field grown nursery stock
	Astro	F, G	Citrus thrips; Field and container grown nursery stock (F); Do not apply more than 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre per year.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	Insecticidal Soap 49.52	F, G	Caution: Do not use on new transplants, newly rooted cuttings, or plants stressed by drought or with tender new foliage present. Do not apply to poinsettias after bract coloration begins.
	M-Pede	F, G	Exposed thrips; Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
	Pyreth-It	F, G
	Pyrenone	F, G
Pyrethrins, Piperonyl Butoxide Technical & Silicon Dioxide	Diatect Multipurpose Insecticide II	F
Pyrethrins, Rotenone & Other Cube Resins	Pyrellin EC	F, G	Apply in intervals of 7 days or less.
Refined Petroleum Distillate	Safe-T-Side Spray Oil	F, G	Do not use in combination with or immediately before or after spraying with fungicides such as Captan, Folpet, oxythioquinox (Morestan) or any product containing sulfur. Also do not use with carbaryl (Sevin) or dimethoate (Cygon). Do not use with any product whose label recommends the use of no oils. Do not use in combination with NPK foliar fertilizer applications.
	Ultra-Fine Oil	F, G	Caution: Spray no more than four consecutive sprays. The frequency of consecutive sprays should not exceed once every 2 weeks. Early morning applications are recommended.
Spinosad	Conserve SC	F, G	Exposed thrips (such as western flower); When used in greenhouse or nursery, Do not apply more than 10 times in a 12-month period per crop regardless of the pest being treated. Because generations of a specific pest may overlap, rotate control products and never apply more than three consecutive applications of Conserve SC or products containing the same a.i. or products with the same mode of action. Except for greenhouses and structures that can be altered to be closed or open, do not reapply within less than 7 days.
Tau-Fluvalinate	Mavrik Aquaflow	F, G
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc.

Table 11. Whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) control measures available for commercial poinsettia production in Florida.

Common Name	Trade Name/ Formulation	Production Site1	Notes from Label2
Abamectin	Avid 0.15EC	F, G
Acephate3	1300 Orthene TR	G	Potted plants
	Address T/O Orthene TT&O Spray Orthene TT&O Spray 97 Sedagri Acephate 75 SP	G
	Acephate Pro 75	G	Applications on poinsettias after bract formation may result in phytotoxicity on certain varieties.
Azadirachtin	Ornazin 3% EC Azatin XL	F, G
Beauveria bassiana	Naturalis T&O	F, G
	Botanigard 22WP	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F)
	Botanigard ES	F, G	Nursery (F)
Bifenthrin	Attain TR Talstar GH	G
	Talstar N	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F)
	Talstar Nursery Flowable	F, G	Shade house & nursery (F); Do not apply more than 0.2 lbs. a.i. per acre per year for outdoor applications.
Chlorpyrifos	Chlorpyrifos Pro 2	F	Nursery stock in nurseries
	Chlorpyrifos Pro 4	F, G	Nursery (F); Some varieties of poinsettia show varying degrees of phytotoxicity.
	Dursban 50W (WSP)	F	Nursery
Chlorpyrifos & Cyfluthrin	Duraplex TR	G
Clarified hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil	Triact 70	F, G
Cyfluthrin	Decathlon 20WP, WPS	F, G
Diflubenzuron	Dimilin 25W Dimilin SC	F, G	Suppression; shade house (F)
Dimethoate	5 lb. Dimethoate Systemic Dimethoate 4EC	F
	Dimethoate 267, 400, 4E	F	Do not use on any ornamental stock plants grown as a source of propagation material, such as cuttings. Do not use in mixtures containing oil.
Disulfoton	Di-Syston 15%G	F
Endosulfan	Endosulfan 50WP Phaser 50WSB	F, G	Do not exceed a maximum of 3 lbs. a.i. (6 lbs. product) per acre per year.
	Thiodan 3EC Phaser 3EC	F, G	Do not exceed 3.0 lbs. a.i. (4 quarts) per acre per year.
Fenoxycarb	Precision	F, G	Silverleaf & greenhouse whiteflies; Not for adult stage. Container and shade house grown (F); Do not exceed a maximum of 30 applications per year for greenhouse use. Applications should not be made to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Preclude TR	G	Potted plants
Fenpropathrin	Tame 2.4EC	F, G	Greenhouse, silverleaf and sweetpotato whiteflies (includes all instars and transitional stages [pupae]); Nursery & shade house (F); Do not use less than a 7 day retreatment interval.
Imidacloprid	Marathon 1% Granular	F, G	Nursery (F); For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds, applications cannot exceed a total of 40 lbs. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon 60WP	F, G	Nursery (F); Soil treatment only; For outdoor ornamentals grown in beds applications cannot exceed a total of 10.7 oz. (0.4 lbs. active ingredient) per acre per year. On plants with a production cycle of less than 1 year, application is not to exceed a frequency of more than once each 16 weeks for a particular plant. On stock plants and woody crops with a production cycle of greater than 1 year, application may not exceed once a year.
	Marathon II	F, G	On outdoor ornamentals do not apply more than 1.6 pt. (0.4 lbs. a.i.) per acre per year.
Lambda-Cyhalothrin	Scimitar GC	F, G	Nursery & Shade house (F); Do not apply more than 0.36 lbs. a.i. (52.4 fl. oz. of concentrate) per acre per year.
Malathion	Atrapa 5E Gowan Malathion 8 Flowable Malathion 5 Malathion 5EC Prozap Malathion 57EC
	Ambush 25W	F	Field grown nursery stock; Do not apply more than 2.0 lbs. a.i. per acre per season. Application to blooming plants may cause browning of petals.
Permethrin	Ambush Perm-Up 3.2EC Pounce 25WP, WSB Pounce 3.2EC	F	Field grown nursery stock
	Astro	F, G	Field and container grown nursery stock (F); Do not apply more than 2.0 lb. a.i. per acre per year.
Potassium Salts of Fatty Acids	Insecticidal Soap 49.52	F, G	Caution: Do not use on new transplants, newly rooted cuttings, or plants stressed by drought or with tender new foliage present. Do not apply to poinsettias after bract coloration begins.
	M-Pede	F, G	Tank mixes with chlorothalonil should be avoided. Potential for injury increases on plants stressed by heat, humidity, drought, or insect, mite or disease pressure.
Pymetrozine	Endeavor	F, G	For outdoor use, do not apply more than 48 oz. per acre per year. For indoor use, do not apply more than 100 oz. per acre per year.
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide	1100 Pyrethrum TR	G	Potted plants
	Pyreth-It Pyrenone	F, G
Pyrethrins & Piperonyl Butoxide Technical & Silicon Dioxide	Diatect Multipurpose Insecticide II	F
Pyrethrins, Rotenone & Other Cube Resins	Pyrellin EC	F, G	Apply in intervals of 7 days or less.
Pyridaben	Sanmite 75W	F, G	Do not exceed 21.34 ounces per acre per year.
Pyriproxyfen	Distance	F, G	Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
	Pyrigro	F, G	Shade house (F); Apply Distance or Pyrigro no more than two times per cropping cycle or no more than two times per 6 months. Do not apply to poinsettia after bract formation.
Refined Petroleum Distillate	Saf-T-Side Spray Oil	F, G	Do not use in combination with or immediately before or after spraying with fungicides such as Captan, Folpet, oxythioquinox (Morestan) or any product containing sulfur. Also do not use with carbaryl (Sevin) or dimethoate (Cygon). Do not use with any product whose label recommends the use of no oils. Do not use in combination with NPK foliar fertilizer applications.
	Ultra-Fine Oil	F, G	Caution: Spray no more than four consecutive sprays. The frequency of consecutive sprays should not exceed once every 2 weeks. Early morning applications are recommended.
S-Kinoprene	Enstar II	G	Applications should be made to poinsettia before bract formation. Foliar damage on some sensitive varieties can result.
Tau-Fluvalinate	Mavrik Aquaflow	F, G
1"F" indicates field production. Lath house and shade house production normally are considered components of field production. "G" indicates greenhouse production. 2Notes are taken from product labels and restrict use to the condition indicated (nursery, potted plants, beet armyworm, exposed thrips, etc.), limit numbers or patterns of applications, provide phytotoxicity precautions, etc. 3The combination of acephate with a pyrethroid, such as fenpropathrin, has resulted in synergistic effects on whitefly mortality.

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Footnotes

1. This document is ENY-307, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First printed: October 1993. Revised: January 2003. Please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. James F. Price, associate professor, Curtis Nagle, biologist and Elzie McCord, Jr., adjunct professor, University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Bradenton, FL 34203.

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The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.

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Copyright Information

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