Confidor Guard

Manufacturer
BAYER
Category
Insecticides
Registered until
Registration expired
Registration number
55753
Active materials

GROUP 4A INSECTICIDE

For the control of various soil pests in sugarcane and peanuts, certain pests in apples, citrus and various vegetable crops by soil treatment, and for the control of certain pests in bananas by pseudostem injection as specified in the DIRECTIONS FOR USE table.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Insecticide Resistance Warning
For insecticide resistance management, Confidor Guard is a Group 4A insecticide. Some naturally occurring insect biotypes resistant to Confidor Guard and other Group 4A insecticides may exist through normal genetic variability in any insect population. The resistant individuals can eventually dominate the insect population if Confidor Guard and other Group 4A insecticides are used repeatedly. The effectiveness of Confidor Guard on resistant individuals could be significantly reduced. Since occurrence of resistant individuals is difficult to detect prior to use, Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd accepts no liability for any losses that may result from the failure of Confidor Guard to control resistant insects. Confidor Guard may be subject to specific resistance management strategies. For further information contact your local supplier, Bayer CropScience representative or local agricultural department agronomist.

Resistance Management Strategy (vegetables)
Do not apply more than one soil application of Confidor Guard to each crop. Do not use Confidor 200 SC or any Group 4A insecticide as a foliar spray after soil application of Confidor Guard in that crop. Refer to district advice for local silverleaf whitefly resistance management strategies.

Export of Treated Produce
Growers should note that MRLs or import tolerances do not exist in all markets for produce treated with Confidor Guard. If you are growing produce for export, please check with Bayer CropScience for the latest information on MRLs and import tolerances before using Confidor Guard.

Note for Vegetable Crops: potential migration of silverleaf whitefly from neighbouring crops
Adult silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) is controlled when they ingest a lethal dose of active ingredient by feeding on a Confidor Guard treated crop. However, in some very susceptible crops and varieties (e.g. pumpkins), the migration of large populations of adults from adjacent fields may result in significant feeding damage to the crop, although further reproduction and development of the pest will be prevented. To help prevent such damage it is important to minimise the migration of adult SLWF into a treated crop, e.g. by applying a 'clean-up' fast-acting insecticide to recently harvested crops. Consideration of factors such as planting sequences and timing, wind direction, variety selection, and general crop hygiene should also be integral to SLWF management. Crops should also be monitored for SLWF adult numbers after application of Confidor Guard, and appropriate fast acting insecticides for control of adults should be applied if economic thresholds are reached or excessive adult feeding damage is observed.

Mixing
Prior to pouring, shake container vigorously, then add the required quantity of Confidor Guard to water in the tank while stirring or with agitators in motion. Confidor Guard requires constant agitation in the tank.

Application
For all application instructions, refer to the Critical Comments in the Directions for Use table. Additional instructions for sugarcane, peanuts and citrus follow.

Application (sugarcane)
Plant cane
Application can occur at various stages from planting until hilling up as described below. Confidor Guard should be applied into the plant drill in a narrow band centred on the cane row. Mix Confidor Guard with water and spray the mixture into the cane drill as a narrow 50-100 mm wide band in the middle of the drill. Apply in no less than 1.5 litres of water per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to no less than 100 L/ha of water for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between rows). Adjust the application equipment so that the treated band of soil is at least 50 mm above the level of the setts in the soil, and is immediately covered by at least 50 mm more soil on top of that layer. There should be at least 100 mm of soil cover over the treated layer after the final cultivation or hilling-up operation. This placement of the spray band can be achieved in several ways. Not all application methods are suited to every circumstance. Application at planting is not recommended for control of greyback canegrubs in situations where very deep planting is practised.

Application (peanuts)
Fix a spray nozzle or nozzles on the planter so that the Confidor Guard spray band is directed in a narrow band to soil at the bottom of the planting furrow on or below the peanut seed depth. Apply in no less than 1 L of water per 100 metres of peanut row (equivalent to no less than 110 L/ha of water for peanuts with 0.91 m spacing between rows). There must be at least 50 mm soil cover over seed immediately after application. DO NOT leave Confidor Guard exposed to sunlight.

Application (citrus)
Ensure treatment area below canopy is weed free prior to application and remains weed free throughout season, otherwise reduced control will occur.
Soil drench: Apply Confidor Guard in a water mix using 1 L of water per tree. Apply evenly to moist soil immediately around the base of the tree trunk to a maximum trunk height of 20 cm. Ensure the mixture infiltrates the soil around the trunk and does not run off the soil. DO NOT disturb or remove the treated soil around the trunk during the season. Irrigation for up to 1 hour (depending on soil type) immediately after a soil drench application is preferred but not essential. DO NOT leave Confidor Guard mixture exposed to sunlight.
Drip or micro-sprinklers (below canopy):
For treatment under non-bearing trees, application via micro-sprinklers is not recommended and the Critical Comments in the Directions for Use table should be consulted for further guidance on application by drip/trickle. Drip emitters placed under the tree canopy or near the trunk provide better results than those spaced irregularly or further from the tree. Micro-sprinklers should only be used when the wetting zone can be contained beneath the tree canopy, especially in young orchards where there is minimal canopy and root development. Begin injection only after soil below the trees furthest from the injection point is partially wetted up and irrigation system has reached operating pressure. After Confidor Guard injection is completed, and lines have been flushed continue irrigation for no longer than 1 hour. On sandy soils, this irrigation period after lines have been flushed should not be more than 10 minutes. Allow 48 hours before subsequent irrigations. This application technique is best suited to an IPM system, where beneficial species (e.g. parasitic wasps) are released. DO NOT disturb or remove the treated soil during the season. DO NOT leave Confidor Guard mixture exposed to sunlight.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE
RESTRAINTS
DO NOT use on crops produced hydroponically or in glasshouses and other covered situations.
DO NOT apply Confidor® 200 SC Insecticide or any other Group 4A Insecticide as a foliar spray after soil application or injection of Confidor® Guard Soil Insecticide in that crop.
DO NOT apply more than one soil application of Confidor Guard or any other soil applied Group 4A Insecticide per crop for vegetables, sugarcane or peanuts per season for citrus or per two years for apples.
DO NOT apply more than one application of Confidor Guard or any other Group 4A Insecticide per crop for bananas.

SUGARCANE
(plant cane, all sugar cane areas)
Pest:
Greyback canegrub
Rate: 16 - 22 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 1.05 - 1.44 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)
Critical comments: Moderate - high pest pressure (2 or more grubs/stool expected)
August – November applications from planting to hilling-up.
Apply at planting, or at first working, or at half-open drill stage, or at fill-in or final hilling. Apply at final hilling only if sufficient soil cover can be applied.
Use the high rate where heavy canegrub infestation is expected.
Apply in a narrow spray band in the planted row. Treated soil must be covered immediately. Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.
Rate: 11 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 720 mL/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)
Critical comments: Low pest pressure (less than 2 grubs/stool expected)
September – November applications at fill-in and hilling-up only.
Apply at fill-in or final hilling only. Apply at final hilling only if sufficient soil cover can be applied.
Apply in a narrow spray band in the planted row. Treated soil must be covered immediately. Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

SUGARCANE
(plant cane)
Pest:
Childers canegrub, negatoria canegrub, plectris canegrub, rhopaea canegrub, southern oneyear canegrub
State: Southern Qld (Bundaberg and south) and NSW only
Rate: 11 - 16 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 0.72 - 1.05 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)
Critical comments: Apply generally in spring or summer either at planting, or at first working, or at half-open drill stage, or at fill-in or final hilling. Apply at final hilling only if sufficient soil cover can be applied.
If larvae are likely to be present at or soon after planting (e.g. in a plough out/replant situation) then early application is recommended. If larvae pressure is not anticipated until the crop is established, then application at the later recommended timings, i.e. closer to the first canegrub larvae presence may be more effective; for example, for autumn plantings, application should generally be delayed until spring.
Use the high rate where heavy canegrub infestation is expected, or to obtain longer residual activity.
Apply in a narrow spray band in the planted row. Treated soil must be covered immediately. Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

(ratoon cane, all sugarcane areas)
Pest:
Greyback canegrub
Rate: 16 - 22 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 1.05-1.44 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)
Critical comments: Apply from September to November to fields which are at high risk of greyback grub damage.
In areas where early flights of beetles occur, application should be early within this period. Late applications where large 3rd instar larvae dominate the grub population will not be as effective. Application should be made while stools are small enough to avoid excessive damage.
Use the high rate when high grub populations are expected, e.g. an average greater than 4 grubs per stool.
Apply only as a subsurface soil application behind coulters (refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS).

Pest: French’s canegrub
Rate: 16 - 22 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 1.05 -1.44 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)

Pest: Negatoria canegrub
Rate: 11 - 16 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 0.72 - 1.05 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)

Critical comments: Begin monitoring for the presence of grubs in September, and continue to monitor at regular intervals. Apply Confidor Guard immediately if grub numbers have reached an economic threshold (about 3 grubs per stool). Early applications are more effective than later ones. DO NOT apply any later than November.
Use the high rate when grub populations are high, e.g. an average greater than 5 grubs per stool, or if application is late (damage already visible).
Apply only as a subsurface soil application behind coulters (refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS).

(ratoon cane)
Pest:
Childers canegrub, plectris canegrub, rhopaea canegrub, southern oneyear canegrub
State: Southern Qld (Bundaberg and south) and NSW only
Rate: 11 - 16 mL per 100 metres of cane row (equivalent to 0.72 - 1.05 L/ha for single row cane with 1.52 m spacing between
rows)
WHP: 21 weeks (G or H)
Critical comments: Begin monitoring for the presence of grubs in September (December for southern one-year canegrub) and continue to monitor at regular intervals. Apply Confidor Guard immediately if grub numbers reach an economic threshold (e.g. 3-4 grubs per stool). Early applications are more effective than later ones.
Use the high rate when grub populations are high, e.g. an average greater than 5 grubs per stool or if application is late (damage already visible).
Apply only as a subsurface soil application behind coulters (refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS).

PEANUTS
Pest:
Greyback canegrub, Childers canegrub, negatoria canegrub, French’s canegrub, southern oneyear canegrub and peanut white grub (Heteronyx piceus)
State: Qld, NSW, NT only
Rate: 6.5 – 13 mL per 100 metres of peanut row (equivalent to 0.71 L – 1.43 L/ha for single peanut row with 0.91 m spacing between rows)
WHP: 12 weeks (G)
Critical comments: Apply at planting as a narrow in-furrow band spray directed on or below the peanut seed.
DO NOT leave Confidor Guard exposed to sunlight. Ensure that product is immediately covered by soil.
Canegrub and white grub pest thresholds have not been established in peanuts, however, the use of the highest rate where heavy grub infestations are expected e.g. above 1 grub per plant, is recommended.
Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

APPLES
Pest:
Woolly aphid
Rate:
Chemical control: 3.5 mL/1 L of water/tree
Beneficial insect plus chemical control: (e.g. Aphelinus mali plus Confidor) 1.75 mL/1 L of water/tree
Critical comments: For trees up to 7 years of age. During late summer or autumn, apple trees with woolly aphid colonies or damage should be identified and marked for treatment the following season. At green tip to petal  fall, apply 1 litre of the  prepared Confidor mixture to moist soil immediately around the base of the tree trunk. Ensure the mixture infiltrates the soil around the trunk and does not run off the soil. Control weeds before  application. Do not disturb or remove the soil around the trunk during the season. If aerial colonies are present at application, maximum effectiveness may not be achieved until the following season. Do not treat more than once in any 2 year period.

BANANAS
(Cavendish)
Pest:
Banana rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis)
State: Nth Qld, NT, Nth WA only
Rate: 2.5 or 3.5 mL/stool Inject undiluted or diluted 50:50 with water

Pest: Banana weevil borer (Cosmopolites sordidus)
State: Qld, NSW, NT, WA only
Rate: 2.5 mL/stool
Inject undiluted or diluted 50:50 with water

(Lady Finger)
Pest:
Banana weevil borer (Cosmopolites sordidus)
State: Qld, NSW, NT, WA only
Rate: 2.5 or 3.5 mL/stool Inject undiluted or diluted 50:50 with water

Critical comments: The higher rate may give improved control in some situations.
Application Timing
Do not inject bunched plants. Select the best follower and inject into the base. Do not inject any follower more than once. Injection can occur at any time within 3 months after harvest of the mother plant or nurse-suckering. To limit the risk of plant damage from injection, inject only those followers that are at least 1.5 m tall to the throat of the plant.
Plants smaller than 1.5 m tall to the throat can be treated but there is significant risk of plant injury from injection.
For application in plant bananas the same minimum height requirement applies as above, plus the plant should be at a stage at least 3 months prior to bell emergence.
Application Method
Injection should occur 15 cm from the base of the plant at an off-centre, downward angle to a depth of 5 to 10 cm. Do not inject into the centre of the plant as this may result in plant death.
Injection should be conducted in a manner which ensures applied chemical is retained within the pseudostem. Irrigation or moderate to heavy or prolonged periods of rainfall may saturate the internal structure of the pseudostem, leading to “run-out” from injection holes. Allow sufficient time following irrigation and rainfall events, before application, to minimise such ‘run-out’.
Confidor Guard should be used as part of an integrated pest management approach which should include the use of other measures for control of banana rust thrips, such as bell injection and bunch applications.
Note: Application during conditions conducive to banana spider mite may enhance population development. Under these conditions, continue to monitor mite populations following Confidor Guard application, taking appropriate action where thresholds are exceeded.

CITRUS
Pest:
Black citrus aphid, citrus leafminer, pink wax scale, red scale
Rate: 9 mL/tree
Apply as a soil drench* OR via microsprinkler* or drip irrigation*.
WHP: 20 weeks (H)
Critical comments: * Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS for detailed information on application methods. Application via micro-sprinkler and drip application methods will give best results when used in conjunction with other control methods such as the release of beneficial species (e.g. parasitic wasps).
Treatment is only recommended for trees of up to 4 m in height.
Citrus leafminer, black citrus aphid: Apply Confidor Guard in late spring after main flowering has finished (October to December) prior to the summer or autumn flush. Apply prior to pest establishment or at the first signs of pest infestation.
Red scale, pink wax scale: Monitor crop throughout late spring to early summer (October to December). If scale is observed, apply Confidor Guard after main flowering has finished and prior to or at the onset of crawler emergence.
Multiple flowering and/or overlapping cropping: Where extended flowering and/or multiple flowering periods occur e.g. lemons and limes, or if the previous seasons crop is still hanging on the tree during or at the end of a new seasons flowering (overlapping cropping) e.g. Valencia oranges, Confidor Guard should only be applied:
- When there is a minimum of 20 weeks to the next harvest and,
- according to the timing for specific pests described above and, 
- after the previous crop has been harvested or stripped and,
- when the main flowering period has finished.
DO NOT apply more than once per season.

(nonbearing only)
Pest:
Citrus leafminer
Rate: 6 mL/tree
Apply as a soil drench* OR via drip irrigation*
WHP: 20 weeks (H)
Critical comments: * Refer to Application directions under GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS for detailed information on application. For application by drip, the emitters should be in close proximity to the base of the tree, to maximise contact with the tree root system and to minimise the opportunity for breakdown of Confidor Guard by UV exposure, otherwise Confidor Guard uptake and hence leafminer control may be reduced.
Treatment is only recommended for vegetative (non-bearing) trees.
Apply Confidor Guard between late spring to late summer (October to February) prior to a leafminer susceptible growth flush. Apply prior to pest establishment or at the first signs of pest infestation. If longer residual control is desired then follow the recommendation above for the use of the product on citrus at the 9 mL/tree rate.
DO NOT leave Confidor Guard exposed to sunlight.
DO NOT apply more than once per season.

BRASSICAS
(broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi)
Pest:
Silverleaf whitefly, including type B
Rate: 35 mL/1000 seedlings
Critical comments: Plant hole drench, furrow spray Green peach aphid, onion thrips: When Confidor is used for the control of Silverleaf whitefly, including type B, control of green peach aphid and onion thrips will also be achieved.
Confidor provides effective management of pest populations. However, Confidor may not provide complete control of pests for the entire growing period. Crops should be monitored for pests following planting and throughout the life of the crop. If pests are observed in the crop additional chemical control may be required, in which case an insecticide with a different mode of action should be used. Refer to GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS for resistance management strategy information.
Plant hole drench (at or post-transplanting) Mix Confidor with sufficient water to allow a constant volume of at least 50 mL of drench mixture per plant. Apply the selected volume of drench mixture in the planting hole at planting or within 2 days after planting.
At planting and when applying drench, steps should be taken to ensure workers do not contact treated soil or drench mixture.
Furrow spray (prior to planting) Mix Confidor with water, using at least 2 litres of spray mixture per 100 m of row. Apply to open furrow not earlier than 5 days prior to planting as a narrow band of spray centred under the plant row. Do not leave the sprayed band exposed to sunlight; sprayed soil should be covered immediately. After final shaping of the planting bed, the treated layer of soil should be approximately 100 mm below the soil surface. This method of application may provide less effective control than seedling drench or plant hole drench application methods.
At planting, steps should be taken to ensure workers do not contact treated soil.

CAPSICUM, CUCURBITS, EGGPLANT, SWEET POTATO, TOMATOES
Pest:
Silverleaf whitefly, including type B
Rate: 14 mL/100 metres of row
Critical comments: Sub-surface trickle irrigation injection Apply once only 5 - 7 days after planting out (or 5 - 7 days from seed emergence if planted from seed). Begin injection only after water has reached the furthest drip points and soil is partially wetted up. After Confidor injection is completed, continue irrigation only until lines are flushed, not longer than 1 hour. DO NOT apply Confidor Guard using surface trickle irrigation or any other type of above ground irrigation system. Subsequent irrigations should occur only when soil moisture measurements indicate the need for addition of water. Do not over irrigate or cause runoff. In situations where root development in the crop is slow, evidence of control may be delayed.
Rate: 14 mL/100 metres of row (Mix with water, using at least 2 litres of spray mixture per 100 m of row)
Critical comments: Furrow spray pre-plant Apply to open furrow not earlier than 5 days prior to planting as a narrow band of spray centred under the plant row. Do not leave Confidor Guard exposed to sunlight. Sprayed soil should be covered immediately. After final shaping of the planting bed, the treated layer of soil should be approximately 100 mm below the soil surface. At planting, steps should be taken to ensure workers do not contact treated soil.

CAPSICUM, EGGPLANT, TOMATOES
Pest:
Silverleaf whitefly, including type B
Rate: 14 mL/100 metres of row (Mix with sufficient water to allow a constant volume of at least 50 mL of drench mixture per plant)
Critical comments: Plant hole drench DO NOT apply Confidor Guard by this method where plant spacing along the row exceeds 60 cm. Apply the selected volume of drench mixture in the planting hole at planting or within 2 days after planting. Steps should be taken to ensure workers do not contact treated soil or drench mixture.

POTATOES
Pest:
Silverleaf whitefly, including type B
Rate: 14 mL/100 metres of row (Mix with water using 1.5-3.0 litres of spray mixture per 100 m of row)

Pest: Green peach aphid
Rate: 9 mL/100 metres of row (Mix with water using 1.5-3.0 litres of spray mixture per 100 m of row)

Critical comments: Furrow spray at planting Apply as part of the planting process to the open furrow as a narrow spray band (100 - 150 mm wide) centred in the plant row at seed level. If seed piece breakdown is considered to be a risk e.g. in hot sandy soils, avoid wetting the seed during application of Confidor Guard. Do not leave Confidor Guard exposed to sunlight. Sprayed soil should be covered immediately. After the planting operation, the treated layer of soil should be at least 100 mm below the soil surface.

NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE, OR IN ANY MANNER, CONTRARY TO THIS LABEL UNLESS AUTHORISED UNDER APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION

WITHHOLDING PERIODS
Harvest (H):
Citrus: DO NOT HARVEST FOR 20 WEEKS AFTER APPLICATION
Sugarcane: DO NOT HARVEST FOR 21 WEEKS AFTER APPLICATION
All other crops: NOT REQUIRED WHEN USED AS DIRECTED
Grazing (G):
Brassicas: DO NOT GRAZE ANY TREATED AREA, OR CUT FOR STOCK FOOD. DO NOT FEED PRODUCE HARVESTED FROM TREATED AREA TO ANIMALS, INCLUDING POULTRY.
Peanuts: DO NOT GRAZE OR CUT TREATED AREAS FOR STOCKFOOD FOR 12 WEEKS AFTER APPLICATION.
Sugarcane: DO NOT GRAZE OR CUT FOR STOCKFEED FOR 21 WEEKS AFTER APPLICATION.

Registered for culturesPreharvest Interval
Sugarcane147
Peanuts
Apples
Bananas
Citrus140
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Kohlrabi
Sweet peppers
Eggplant
Sweet potatoes
Tomatoes
Potatoes