Vantal UpgradePlant Protection Product ComparisonPlant Protection Product ComparisonReport inaccuraciesReport inaccuracies

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE WARNING

GROUP 6 INSECTICIDE

For insecticide resistance management, Vantal® Upgrade is a Group 6 insecticide. Some naturally occurring insect biotypes resistant to Vantal Upgrade and other Group 6 insecticides may exist through normal genetic variability in any insect population. The resistant individuals can eventually dominate the insect population if Vantal Upgrade and other Group 6 insecticides are used repeatedly. The effectiveness of Vantal® Upgrade on resistant individuals could be significantly reduced. Since the occurrence of resistant individuals is difficult to detect prior to use, FMC accepts no liability for any losses that may result from the failure of Vantal Upgrade to control resistant insects. Vantal® Upgrade may be subject to specific resistance management strategies. For further information, contact your supplier, FMC representative, or local agricultural department agronomist.

WFT RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY:

Chemicals alone will not control western flower thrips. Effective control can only be achieved with an integrated approach using additional cultural control methods. The most important cultural control method is the removal of all flowering weeds (especially white clover) from within and around the crop. Uncontrolled flowering weeds harbor abundant thrips that reinvest the crop and overwhelm chemical control. Crop debris may harbor western flower thrips and should be plowed in or burned. If the crop is sensitive to viruses, such as Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), it is essential to remove virus-infected plants (burn or bury). Effective chemical management of WFT is made difficult by resistance to a wide range of insecticides and limited accessibility to life stages during spraying. Only the larval and adult stages of WFT are contacted by insecticide sprays. Eggs are protected in plant tissue, while pupal stages shelter in soil and debris. In order to effectively manage WFT in the crop, chemicals should be sprayed at intervals. The intervals are governed by the length of the lifecycle, which is controlled by temperature. Monitoring allows insecticides to be used only when necessary, and vigilant crop monitoring will reduce insecticide costs, reduce the impact on beneficial insects, and lessen the likelihood of resistance development. Sticky traps should be used to monitor thrips numbers at a minimum density of ca. 3-10 ha. A new series of sprays should not be commenced without appropriate monitoring.

Chemical applications should be applied in a series of sprays until population levels have fallen to acceptable levels. To keep resistance levels down, change chemical groups between series of sprays. A series of chemical sprays will be three applications of the one chemical. Apply 3 consecutive sprays of the same chemical and alternate to a chemical in a different group for the following series of sprays (NOTE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ABAMECTIN APPLICATIONS IS TWO PER SEASON). There must be at least a 3-week break (<20°C) or a 2-week break (>20°C) before another series of sprays is applied. If monitoring indicates the need to spray earlier, then insecticide resistance, inappropriate spray application, or inadequate cultural control methods should be suspected, and expert advice sought.

CROP SPECIFIC STRATEGY:

Vantal Upgrade should not be applied more than the following number of times:

• Apples, Capsicums, Citrus, Hops, Pears, Papaya, and Custard apple: One spray per season
• All other crops: Two sprays per season.

In addition, Vantal Upgrade should not be applied in two consecutive seasons or crops without an unrelated chemical being used in between. Alternate Vantal® Upgrade with approved miticides from other chemical groups. Consult your chemical supplier or technical consultant for advice on chemical groups.

CROP MONITORING:

Effective control depends upon regular monitoring of crops. Check crops regularly (every 3 to 5 days) during the season.

TO AVOID CROP DAMAGE:

Cut flowers: This product has been used on a wide range of ornamental plant species without damage. However, some species and varieties are particularly sensitive to chemical sprays, and this is often related to local conditions. It is advisable to treat only a small number of plants first, to ascertain their reaction before treating larger quantities.

MIXING:

Measure the required amount of Vantal® Upgrade, add to the partly filled spray tank, and then add the remainder of the water. If oil is recommended, add this after the Vantal Upgrade is well mixed. Wetting agent is not required.

APPLICATION TO COTTON:

Apply by ground spraying equipment or by fixed-wing aircraft in a minimum volume of 20 L/ha. Vantal® Upgrade is not systemic, making good coverage essential. Air: Apply by air when there is a reliable cross-wind to assist with good penetration into the crop canopy. Application should be carried out in the cooler parts of the day or night. Preferably use aircraft fitted with Micronair atomizers. Ground: Use inter-row droppers fitted with nozzles spraying towards the cotton rows. Inter-row nozzles should be level with or just below the canopy.