1 - Phytosanitary Resources

Control Procedures
tomatoes, peppers, sweet cucumber, and eggplant (CDMS, 2010). It is
effective against larvae and nymphs of spider mites, whiteflies, thrips,
leafminers, and aphids in numerous crops (Yu, 2008). It is predominantly a
stomach poison but has contact activity as well. It is also toxic to bees and
beneficial insects (Yu, 2008).
Neonicotinoid Insecticides
Imidacloprid and thiacloprid are neonicotinoid insecticides (Yu, 2008), which
mimic the action of acetylcholine in insects causing hyperexcitation and death.
Neonicotinoid insecticides are toxic to a wide spectrum of sucking and
chewing insects but relatively nontoxic to humans. Imidacloprid, the most
widely used insecticide of the group, is systemic, has long residual activity, but
is primarily effective against sucking insects (Yu, 2008). In the United States,
imidacloprid is used to control aphids, Colorado potato beetle, and whiteflies
on tomato. Thiacloprid is not registered for use on U.S. tomatoes, but it is
registered for control of insects on pome fruit, including leafminers and all
stages of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella (L.)) (CDMS, 2010).
Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole is a relatively new insecticides for the control of
lepidoptera and selected other species (Dupont, 2008; Lahm, 2009). It controls
pests through a new mode of action via activation of insect ryanodine
receptors. The insecticide binds to these receptors in muscle cells, causing the
release of calcium ions. Depletion of calcium results in immediate insect
paralysis and death. Because of the new mode of action, chlorantraniliprole
controls pest populations that are resistant to other insecticides (Lahm, 2009).
Chlorantraniliprole also has negligible impact on key parasitoids, predators,
and pollinators, at field use rates (Dupont, 2008; Lahm, 2009).
Chlorantraniliprole is registered for control of tomato pinworm on tomato in
the United States and product literature also indicates that it is effective against
Tuta absoluta (Dupont, 2008). Chlorantraniliprole has both larvicidal and
ovicidal activity and shows excellent root uptake and translocation in
tomatoes, which continues for up to 28 days from a single soil application. It
also has exceptional translaminar activity, offering 100 percent larval control
of tomato fruitworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), 18 days after a single foliar
application. Chlorantraniliprole has low toxicity to bees, and once the foliar
residues have dried the hazard is insignificant.
Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) is a Lepidoptera-specific microbial
that, when ingested, disrupts the midgut membranes. For larval control, neutral
solutions of Btk should be applied to crops once per week at the end of the day
(FREDON-Corse, 2009a). The leaf epidermis presents a significant barrier to
6/2011 Tomato Leafminer 6-13
Emergency and Domestic Programs