• Topics: Entomology and Nematology  | Nursery Insects and Mites  | Nursery and Forest Pests  | Commercial (Greenhouse and Nurseries)  | Ornamentals (IMG -- Vol.1, Ch. IV)  | Gladiolus  |  Price, James F  |  Nagle, Curtis A  | McCord, Elzie Jr. 

Insect and Mite Management Suggestions for Commercial, Field-grown Gladiolus Production¹

Gladiolus is grown largely in Collier and Manatee counties with smaller acreages in Putnam and St. John's counties and elsewhere. It is produced for its floriferous spike and for its corms, the underground reproductive structure. Most production occurs in open fields on narrow, non-mulched, raised beds.

The extraordinary height of the plant and typical bed cause pesticide spraying to require specialized equipment during much of the season. Major arthropod pests include wireworms that can attack the corms in the soil, armyworms and loopers that feed on leaf blades, and thrips that are problematic on stored corms, foliage and particularly on florets.

Table 1 presents the chemical control measures available to commercial gladiolus producers in Florida and includes microbial insecticides that also are components of biological control. The arthropod pests most likely to damage gladiolus are presented alphabetically as section headings. For each arthropod pest presented commercial products available for control are grouped by active ingredient. Usually only one example of any particular formulation is given. Other examples or other formulations may exist that are as effective as those mentioned. Notes taken from labels are provided to qualify some uses and precautionary statements and re-entry intervals are given to aid in the safe use of the pesticides. Hyperlinks to product labels are provided in the electronic forms of a separate publication, Insecticides, Miticides & Molluscicides Available to Florida's Floricultural Industry (ENY-679). These hyperlinks are to business or governmental Web sites and not to any source maintained by the University of Florida and may change without notice.

Many pesticides are decomposed (hydrolyzed) in the spray tank when mixed with water above pH 7. Growers should be aware of their water pH and when above 7, a buffering solution should be added 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, author error, etc., improper uses may be indicated. In all cases it is the applicator's responsibility to read and comply with the label that accompanies each pesticide container.

Tables

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.

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