New Insecticide Formula Tackles Malicious Pests

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)

In Australia, a new Bayer insecticide has been developed to tackle sucking pests, like the fruit spotted bug and silverleaf whitefly. Sivanto prime provides a new chemical class to pest management programmes: butenolide (Group 4D). The chemical, according to Bayer, provides quick protection, flexibility in application over flowering, and a top rate of species’ safety. After more than a decade of field testing in Australia, Bayer has confirmed the insecticide. “Growers will have a new and selective insecticide class to help sustainable pest management with the registration of Sivanto prime in avocados, mangoes, and papaya for control of fruit spotted bugs and planthoppers,” Mr De Monte added.

Fruit spotted bugs, banana spotting bugs, lace bugs, aphids, whiteflies, planthoppers, and scirtothrips can all be controlled with Sivanto. Mr De Monte explained, “The product operates quickly and selectively, answering the needs of a beneficial species-safe pesticide and different environmental safety requirements in a variety of crops in most circumstances.” Sivanto prime, according to Bayer business development manager in Queensland Tim O’Grady, is a game-changer in orchard pest management because of its ability to act quickly but precisely. It also helps meet the demand for a quality pack-out, without disrupting the whole orchard system.

Sivanto prime also shows low toxicity to Australian native stingless bees (Tetragonula spp. and Austroplebeia spp.) and European honeybees (Apis mellifera) when used as directed, and can be safely applied during the period of crop flowering. However under good agricultural practice, it is recommended not to apply Sivanto prime or any other insecticides at times when bees are actively foraging. Chris Monsour, Prospect Agriculture, north Queensland said it was important for the business to have new chemistry as an option to manage silverleaf whitefly.

Mr Monsour explained, “It is not only crucial for pest management, but it also allows us to establish a strong, resilient resistance management plan with the option of maintaining beneficials.” “As a result, Sivanto prime aids in the management of this important pest as part of an overall IPM plan.” Sivanto prime is planned to be released in macadamias later in 2022, with further crop label expansions to follow.