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Publication #ENY-311

Commercial Foliage and Woody Ornamental Arthropod Pest Management 1

Lance S. Osborne, Eileen A. Buss, Catharine M. Mannion and James F. Price2

Pest management on foliage and woody ornamentals requires an integrated approach. Integrated pest management (IPM) involves using a combination of management approaches (e.g., biological, cultural, and chemical) to reduce pest problems below levels of economic and ecological damage. No single pest management method will be completely successful.

Monitoring is an essential aspect of an IPM strategy. Regular scouting (once or twice a week) for pest activity, abundance, and amount of damage caused, is necessary to determine optimal treatment timing. Yellow sticky cards placed near plants will quickly indicate the presence of pests, such as whiteflies, aphids, or thrips. Without monitoring, poorly timed, or regularly-scheduled, treatments may be ineffective at controlling the target pest or kill natural enemies. The mere presence of a pest seldom justifies a widespread pesticide treatment.

Understanding insect and mite biology is important to managing infestations. Immatures (e.g., larvae or nymphs) are often the most damaging stage; however, the adults of some insects may also cause damage. Deciding how to control infestations depends on which insect is causing the damage, its life stage, and where or how it is feeding on or damaging the plant. Chewing insects may be easily controlled by contact insecticides, whereas sucking insects, mites, and thrips may be controlled with either contact or systemic materials.

This publication contains pesticide recommendations that may change at any time, as labels and product registrations change. These recommendations are provided only as a guide, and are not endorsements for the products mentioned, nor is criticism meant for products not mentioned. It remains the pesticide applicator's legal responsibility to read and follow all the label instructions on the container of the specific pesticide being used. The labels that may be accessed through this publication are specimen labels and do not take precedence or supercede the pesticide container in your possession.

Federal and Florida Laws state that all pesticides must be handled and applied in strict accordance with the label and worker protection standards (re-entry times, protective clothing, etc.). For complete information pertaining to worker protection standards, visit the EPA Web site.

For more information, please refer to the following publications:

Integrated Pest Management in the Commercial Ornamental Industry (ENY-336)
Pesticide Information Office (RF-SR012)
Insecticide Safety (ENY-416)
Applications of Insecticides and Miticides (Commercial Ornamental Plants) (ENY-337)
Insect Attractants and Traps (ENY-277)
Beneficial Insects and Mites (ENY-276)
Natural Enemies and Biological Control (ENY-822)

NOTE : The recommended pesticides (Table 1) are available in many different formulations, only a few of the more common are listed. Other formulations may be available. Be sure to read and follow all label directions and precautions closely. By clicking on the highlighted pesticides, the reader will be linked to a site that contains the label for that particular material. Some sites also have MSDS sheets available in a PDF format.

Labeled Use Code:
(F) non-greenhouse - shadehouse and field only.
(G) greenhouse use.
When multiple products are listed, these letters may refer to one or more of the materials listed, but not necessarily all.

Tables

Table 1. 

Insect and Mite Control Suggestions for Commercial Foliage Plants (Be sure specific crop and site are listed on the label.)

Pest

Pesticide

Common name

Trade Name and Formulation

Aphids

F,G

abamectin

Avid

F,G

acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G

acetamiprid

TriStar

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL, Azatrol EC, Ornazin 3% EC

F,G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR, Talstar Nursery Flowable

F,G

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F

clothianidin

Celero 16 WSG

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos Duraplex TR
F cyfluthrin + imidacloprid Discus

F,G

dinotefuran

Safari 20 SG

F,G

endosulfan

Endosulfan 3 EC, 50WP

F,G

fenpropathrin

Tame 2.4 EC

G

flonicamid

Aria

F,G

fluvalinate

Mavrik Aquaflow

F,G

horticultural oil

Sunspray Ultra Fine, Ultra-Fine Oil

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

G

insecticidal soap

M-Pede, Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF

F

malathion

Malathion 57% EC

F,G

pymetrozine

Endeavor 3 EC
F,G

pyrethrins

1100 Pyrethrum TR

G

S-kinoprene

Enstar II

F,G

thiamethoxam Flagship 25 WG

Bagworms

F,G acephate

Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree and Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL
F,G

Bacillus thuringiensis

Dipel DF
F

carbaryl

Sevin 80 WSP
F,G chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50W

F,G

spinosad Conserve SC

F,G

tebufenozide

Confirm T&O

Beetles (including weevils)

F,G

acephate

Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL, Azatrol EC, Ornazin 3% EC

F

bifenthrin

Talstar Nursery Granular, Talstar Flowable, Onyx... other Talstar labels

F

carbaryl

Sevin 80 WSP

F,G

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP

F

diazinon

Diazinon 50W, 50 WSB

F,G

fenpropathrin

Tame 2.4 EC

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

F,G

permethrin

Astro

F,G

spinosad

Conserve SC

Beet Armyworm

F

B. thuringiensis

Javelin

F,G

fenpropathrin

Tame 2.4 EC

F,G

permethrin

Pounce 3.2 EC, Astro

F,G

spinosad

Conserve SC

Caterpillars, Other

F,G

acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G

B. thuringiensis

Dipel DF, XenTari, XenTari DF

G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F

carbaryl

Sevin 80 WSP

F

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

G

diflubenzuron

Adept, Dimilin 25W

F,G

spinosad

Conserve SC
F,G tebufenozide Confirm T/O

Remarks: Apply when larvae are small. They are more difficult to control as they approach maturity. It is especially important to use a spreader-sticker with B. thuringiensis; this material is not suggested for armyworms beyond the second instar. To reduce phytotoxicity, apply bendiocarb only to point of glisten.

Fungus Gnat Larvae

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL

F,G

B. thuringiensis

Gnatrol

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

G

cyromazine

Citation 75 WP

G

diflubenzuron Adept

F,G

fenoxycarb

Precision 25 WP, Preclude TR

F,G

pyrethrum

1100 Pyrethrum TR

F,G

pyriproxyfen

Distance IGR

F,G

resmethrin (adult gnats only)

SBP-1382

G

S-kinoprene

Enstar II

F,G

thiamethoxam Flagship

Gall Insects

F

carbaryl

Sevin 80 WSP, Sevin SL

F,G

chlorpyrifos

Dursban 50W
F deltamethrin DeltaGard GC 5SC
F,G spinosad Conserve SC

Grasshoppers

F

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP

Lace Bugs

F,G acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray

F,G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F

carbaryl

Sevin SL, 80 WSP

F

cyfluthrin + imidacloprid

Discus

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP, Merit 75 WP, WSP

F

malathion

Malathion 57% EC
F,G permethrin Astro
F,G thimethoxam Flagship 25 WG

Leafminers

F,G

abamectin Avid 0.15 EC

F,G

acephate Orthene Turf, Tree and Ornamental Spray

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL, Azatrol EC, Ornazin 3% EC

F,G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F,G

chlorpyrifos Dursban 50W
F cyfluthrin + imidacloprid Discus

F,G

dinotefuran

Safari 20 SG

F,G

permethrin Astro

F,G

spinosad

Conserve SC

Leafrollers, Leaf Tiers

F,G azadirachtin Azatin XL
F,G

Bacillus thuringiensis

Dipel DF, XenTari, XenTari DF

F carbaryl Sevin 80 WSP
F,G

chlorpyrifos

Dursban 50W
F,G permethrin Astro
F,G spinosad Conserve SC

Mealybugs

F,G

acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G acetamiprid TriStar

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL, Ornazin 3% EC

F,G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F,G

buprofezin

Talus
F

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F

clothianidin

Celero 16 WSG

F,G

cyfluthrin Decathlon 20 WP

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

F

cyfluthrin + imidacloprid

Discus

F

dimethoate

Dimethoate 400
G flonicamid

Aria

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

F,G

insecticidal soap

M-Pede, Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF

F malathion Malathion 5EC
F,G neem oil Triact 70
F,G other oils

Organocide, Sunspray Ultra Fine, Ultra-Fine Oil

F,G pyriproxyfen Distance IGR

G

S-kinoprene

Enstar II
F,G

thiamethoxam

Flagship 25 WG

Mites, Spider

F,G

abamectin

Avid 0.15 EC
F,G acequinocyl

Shuttle 15 SC

G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F,G

bifenazate

Floramite 50% WP

G

chlorfenapyr

Pylon 2% EC
F,G

clofentezine

Ovation SC
G cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos Duraplex TR
F,G etoxazole Tetrasan
F,G

fenbutatin-oxide

Vendex 50WP
G

fenpyroximate

Akari 5% SC
F

hexythiazox

Hexygon
F,G

horticultural oil

Sunspray Ultra Fine, Ultra-Fine Oil

F,G

insecticidal soap

M-Pede, Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF

F,G

neem oil

Triact 70
G

pyridaben

Sanmite 75 WP

F,G

spinosad

Conserve SC

F

spiramesifen

Forbid 4F

G

sulfotepp

Plantfume 103

Mites, Broad & Cyclamen

F

chlorfenapyr

Pylon
G

endosulfan

Endosulfan 3 EC, 50WP

Thiodan 3 EC

Scales

F,G

acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL
F,G buprofezin Talus
F,G

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

F

cyfluthrin + imidacloprid

Discus

F,G

dinotefuran

Safari 20 SG

F,G

horticultural oil

Sunspray Ultra Fine, Ultra-Fine Oil, Organocide

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

F,G

insecticidal soap

M-Pede, Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF

F

malathion

Malathion 5EC

F,G

pyriproxyfen

Distance IGR

G

S-kinoprene

Enstar II
F,G

thiamethoxam

Flagship

Shoreflies

G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

G

cyromazine

Citation 75 WP
G diflubenzuron Adept

F,G

fenoxycarb

Precision 25 WP, ME, Preclude TR

F,G

pyriproxyfen

Distance IGR

Slugs and Snails

F,G

methiocarb

Mesurol 75 W

F,G

metaldehyde

Deadline Bullets or M-Ps, Metaldehyde 3.5G or 7.5G

Springtails

F,G

insecticidal soap

Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF
F,G

malathion

Malathion 5EC

Thrips

F,G

acephate

1300 Orthene TR, Acephate Pro 75 or WSP, Orthene Turf, Tree & Ornamental Spray or 97

acetamiprid TriStar

F

chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos Pro 2 or 4, Dursban 50 W, DuraGuard ME

F,G

cyfluthrin

Decathlon 20 WP
G

cyfluthrin + chlorpyrifos

Duraplex TR

F,G

fenoxycarb

Precision 25 WP, ME, Preclude TR

G flonicamid Aria

F,G

fluvalinate

Mavrik Aquaflow

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

F,G

methiocarb

Mesurol 75 W
F,G spinosad Conserve SC

Whiteflies

F,G

abamectin Avid 0.15 EC
F,G acetamiprid TriStar
F,G

azadirachtin

Azatin XL
G

bifenthrin

Talstar Flowable, Attain TR

F,G

buprofezin

Talus

F

clothianidin Celero 16 WSG
F,G

endosulfan

Endosulfan 3 EC, 50WP

Thiodan 3 EC

F,G

fenpropathrin + acephate

Tame 2.4 EC + orthene

F,G

horticultural oil

Sunspray Ultra Fine, Ultra-Fine Oil

F,G

imidacloprid

Marathon II, 1% G, 60 WP

F.G

insecticidal soap

M-Pede, Insecticidal Soap 49.52 CF

F,G

pymetrozine

Endeavor
F,G

pyriproxyfen

Distance IGR
G

S-kinoprene

Enstar II
G

sulfotepp

Plantfume 103

F,G thiamethoxam Flagship

Remarks: Unlike other whiteflies, the silverleaf whitefly is very difficult to control. To minimize additional resistance problems, one of the above insecticides should be applied two times per week throughout one life cycle (3 weeks) to control an established infestation. (Does not apply to Marathon granules). Insecticidal soap is also effective; however, phytotoxicity may occur when applied repeatedly. Monitor the population to determine if the particular insecticide being applied is reducing whitefly numbers. Some populations may be resistant to one or more of these insecticides. If the infestation persists, use another compound from the above, following the same schedule. Do not apply tank mixes, (except Tame + orthene) as they may enhance resistance. If low numbers of whiteflies persist, apply one of the above insecticides once per week for 3 weeks, then switch insecticides.Undersides of leaves must be covered thoroughly to achieve satisfactory control. Phytotoxicity of these insecticides has not been extensively evaluated. Plants may be damaged, sometimes severely, with any pesticide. Be sure the pesticide is labeled for your particular crop, and closely follow all label directions.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENY-311 (IG012), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. First published: October 1993. Revised: June 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Lance S. Osborne, Professor of Entomology at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center-Apopka, FL., Eileen A. Buss, assistant professor, Department of Entomology and Nematology, Gainesville, FL, Catharine M. Mannion, assistant professor, Tropical REC-Homestead, FL, and James F. Price, Professor of Entomology-Gulf Coast Research and Education Center- Bradenton, FL. Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

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.


The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

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. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.