Chemtura to Market Diamond Insecticide

Angus Catchot

Chemtura has assumed the marketing and sales rights for Diamond insecticide through an agreement with MANA, the manufacturer.

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As an insect growth regulator, Diamond is a fitting addition to its line of IGR products, which include Rimon and Dimilin, Chemtura says.

Diamond is a third-generation chitin inhibitor that has a unique mode of action, giving growers an alternative to organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Diamond also provides long-lasting residual control of key pests in cotton including plant bugs, stinkbugs, cotton fleahoppers, and the budworm/bollworm complex. It also has activity on foliage feeders such as armyworms and soybean loopers, while being safe to most beneficial insects.

“We’re learning how to use Diamond – an IGR – better, and we’re incorporating it into the system earlier – around the third week of squaring to first bloom,” says Mississippi Extension entomologist Dr. Angus Catchot. “It only has activity on the immatures and affects them when they try to molt. But when the adult female is exposed to Diamond, it reduces the number of eggs they lay and the viability of the ones they do lay.”

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Meanwhile, MANA has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its Paradigm insecticide for use on cotton and other crops.

Paradigm is a new formulation of the pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin, developed by MANA. This formulation acts quickly on insects while providing more safety for applicators It also has low-odor properties.

“MANA Crop Protection brings Paradigm to the market as the premier alternative to current insect control offerings,” says Keith Miller, fungicide and insecticide product manager. “Using advanced technology, this product demonstrates extremely low odor in the jug, spray tank and the field during and after application. Plus, its ‘Caution’ signal word sets the bar higher than that of other insecticides in the same class, which continue to have more restrictive signal words on their labels.”

Older formulations of lambda-cyhalothrin products can cause negative impact to handlers who may have skin sensitization and/or a physical response to offensive odor, MANA says.

“Paradigm performs at a level which is expected of EC-type formulations due to its novel non-water or microcap based formulation, yet it meets the vigorous requirements of being a low VOC (volatile organic carbon) product,” Miller added. “The bottom line for any insecticide is performance, and Paradigm came through field and laboratory testing with flying colors. Beyond performance, growers are demanding safer handling and environmental characteristics from inputs to better support stewardship while lessening risk to workers and handlers.”

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