Diamond Insecticide Proves Useful Against Plant Bugs
March 1, 2011 
Since its 2004 marketplace introduction, Diamond insecticide has contributed to U.S. cotton growers‘ ability to gain control over difficult-to-manage insects. Most recently, newly discovered benefits are drawing increased attention to the compound — especially when used as an early season treatment for control of plant bugs.
According to information released by MANA Crop Protection, studies completed at Mid-South universities showed a consistent net increase in cotton yields when Diamond was applied for control of plant bugs during the third week of squaring or first week of bloom.
“Cotton yields showed a positive response when Diamond was applied earlier in the season,” says Keith Miller, insecticide product manager with MANA Crop Protection, based in Raleigh, NC. “In lab studies where adult plant bugs were directly exposed to Diamond, the chemistry not only reduced egg lay counts but also reduced the hatch count of eggs that were laid by treated female Lygus.”
Diamond is a third-generation chitin inhibitor whose unique mode of action interferes with insect growth development. Unlike conventional insecticides that attack the nervous system, Diamond impacts chitin development which causes the target insect to produce a weakened or malformed exoskeleton. When applied early during the larvae/nymph stage of the life-cycle, Diamond prevents juvenile tarnished plant bugs, clouded plant bugs, armyworms, loopers, cotton leaf perforators and saltmarsh caterpillars from reaching the next stage of growth.
“For worm pests, growers know it’s to their advantage to treat early in order to avoid late-season buildup of populations,” says Miller. “Treatment for plant bugs is starting to receive the same consideration, especially as cotton planting dates move up each year in support of higher yields and the hope for reduced number of insecticide passes mid-season.”
Because Diamond is safe to most beneficial insect species, it is highly compatible with IPM programs. According to Miller, Diamond is an exceptional solution when used in rotation or in tankmixes with other classes of insecticides for resistance management. Diamond may be applied alone for control of plant bugs populations made up primarily of immature insects. Diamond may also be applied in tank mix combinations with conventional pyrethroid, organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides for control of mixed populations of juvenile and adult insect pests.
The recommended use rate for Diamond for plant bug control is nine to 12 ounces per acre if used alone and six to nine ounces when tank mixed with a knockdown Lygus insecticide. Growers can spray up to four treatments of Diamond per season and apply up to 42 total ounces per acre per season. Diamond was granted “OP replacement” status during the registration process. It is rainfast in four hours and has a worker re-entry interval of 12 hours.
“At blooming, the addition of a pyrethroid, like Silencer insecticide or Fanfare insecticide/miticide in a tank mix with Diamond provides improved control plus extends protection against hatching worm eggs of non-pyrethroid resistant populations,” he adds.
For more information about MANA Crop Protection, Diamond insecticide and other products in the portfolio, visit www.manainc.com.
Information provided by Mana Crop Protection.
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