Writer: Kathleen Phillips, 979-845-2872, ka-phillips@tamu.edu
Contact: Clifford Hoelscher, (979) 845-6812, c-hoelscher@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION — A crisis exemption has been granted for a new insecticide to help Texas farmers and ranchers battle a serious outbreak of armyworms.
The exemption, granted Sept. 29 by the Texas Department of Agriculture, will allow the agricultural insecticide Confirm 2F to be used on all pastures and rangeland. Confirm 2F, or tebufenozide is manufactured by Rohm and Haas and normally is used only on pecans and cotton.
“The thing we are extremely excited about is there are no grazing restrictions for cattle or hay, because it is an insect growth regulator chemical and non-toxic to mammals,” said Dr. Clifford Hoelscher, Texas Agricultural Extension Service entomologist. “It is an outstanding product for armyworm control.”
Armyworms can cause serious damage in one to two days before the damage is even noticed. The larval form of a moth that migrates northward from South Texas in the spring and summer is called armyworm because it moves across pastures like an advancing army.
Each moth may lay 50 or more eggs on a blade of grass. If there has been a rain, the armyworms hatch in legions and start eating.
“The emergency exemption is issued on a statewide basis because of the widespread armyworm problem,” Hoelscher said. “We do expect populations to decrease in late October because of cooler weather, but producers should continue to inspect their fields for armyworm populations until frost.”
He said the target pest which is causing problems and for which the insecticide is approved on the emergency basis includes beet armyworm, fall armyworm, southern armyworm, and yellowstriped (cq) armyworm.
“I talked to a rancher yesterday who had a serious problem on 14,000 acres of range,” he said, stressing that the infestations are big throughout much of the state.
Hoelscher urged producers to have a copy of the crisis exemption label before treatment and to follow all directions for application.
“This material is applied at eight ounces or 0.125 pounds active ingredients per acre,” he said. “And a maximum of two treatments may be applied to control the armyworm pest. Producers should begin application when the first signs of feeding damage appears or when the economic threshold levels per square foot (three to five larvae on most crops) are exceeded.”
Most important, he said, is the use of a spreader binder to maximize the efficacy of the insecticide.
“The use of LATRON CS-7 Spreader Binder (R) is recommended for uniform coverage and distribution of the spray,” Hoelscher said. “Producers will want to apply a minimum of 10 gallons per acre by ground equipment or a minimum of five gallons per acre by air. Carefully calibrate spray equipment prior to treatment.”
He added that the armyworm outbreak is unusual and partly due to the extended summer drought. “We do expect some relief in the fall with cool weather,” he said.
Additional information can be received from local county Extension Service agents. A copy of the label can also be found on the TDA website, http://www.agr.state.tx.us/pesticide/pasture.htm
-30-
ENTO