ARS | Publication request: Leafhopper control in filed-grown red maples with systemic insecticides

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 20, 2008
Publication Date: December 13, 2009
Citation: Oliver, J.B., Fare, D.C., Ranger, C.M., Youssef, N.N., Scholl, S., Halcomb, M.A., Reding, M.E., Moyseenko, J.J. Leafhopper control in filed-grown red maples with systemic insecticides. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: Red maple, a popular landscape tree, can be susceptible to foliar damage caused by potato leafhopper feeding. Typical potato leafhopper injury includes distorted leaf tissue and reduced shoot growth. This research identified systemic neonicotinoid insecticides, Allectus and Discus, which controlled leafhopper damage up to three years post-application on some cultivars. An imidacloprid tablet formulation had less leafhopper control during the first year, but provided suppression during the second and third year after application. Most systemic insecticides have a higher application cost than contact sprays, such as pyrethroids; however, there are several advantages: fewer applications, control of leafhopper injury for longer periods, prevention of other pests like flatheaded borers, better plant aesthetics, and enhanced plant growth. During the 3-yr test, trunk growth was greater with plants treated with Allectus and Discus (22 and 44 ml) drenches and imidacloprid tablets compared to untreated trees, with the exception of ‘Franksred’ treated with Allectus. Total height growth with ‘Autumn Flame’ and ‘Franksred’ was greater for plants receiving the high rate of Discus (44 ml) or the imidacloprid tablets than untreated or trees treated with Discus (22 ml) or Allectus.