Allium Leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma)
For more information on this pest and for cultural controls, see Allium Leafminer in the Leek section.
IRAC Group 3:
- gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 0.77 to 1.28 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 48h, Bee: H. Adults only.
- lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 0.96 to 1.6 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H. Adults only.
- permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
- pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 15.61 oz/A; 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal, 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M.
IRAC Group 4:
- dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL): 5.25 to 7 oz/A foliar, 8.75 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Do not apply to vegetables grown for seed.
IRAC Group 5:
- spinetoram (Radiant SC): 6 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Efficacy may be improved with the addition of an adjuvant.
IRAC Group 17:
- cyromazine (Trigard): 2.66 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Apply when leafminers first appear.
IRAC Group UN:
- azadirachtin (Azatin OOG): 4 to 16 oz/A foliar or drench, 4 to 16 oz/100 gal in greenhouses; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake.
Bulb Mites (Aceria tulipae and Rhizoglyphus spp.)
Two types of mites are known to infect Allium species: several species in the genus Rhizoglyphus, and “dry” bulb mites in the Aceria genus, sometimes called Eriophyid mites. Mites can survive in soil on decaying vegetation. Infected seeds may fail to germinate. Plants grown from infected seeds may lack vigor and produce stunted, deformed leaves. Plants may outgrow the damage if the infestation is not heavy, but mites may increase in number over the growing season and will remain in the harvested garlic. They are particularly troublesome in storage, causing desiccation and creating wounds that allow for entry of secondary pathogens.
Bulb mites are favored by mechanical injury, disease, cool soil temperatures, and soils with high organic matter content. Avoid adding manure and use fallow periods to eliminate crop residue. Removing culls from the field immediately after harvest in smaller plantings will reduce overwintering populations. Dark plastic mulch will increase soil temperatures and control mites. Plant clean, firm seed and rotate out of alliums for at least 4 years after an infestation. Avoid planting allium crops directly after brassicas, corn, grain, or grass cover crops.
Leek Moth (Acrolepiosis assectella)
For more information on this pest and for cultural and chemical controls, see Leek Moth in the Leek section.
Onion Maggot (Delia antiqua)
For more information on this pest and cultural and biological controls, see onion maggot in the Onion section.
IRAC Group 1:
- diazinon (Diazinon* AG500): 2 to 4 qt/A; REI 3d, Bee: H, Group 1B. Broadcast and incorporate just before planting. Will not control organophosphate-resistant onion maggots. Do not make more than 1 application per year.
Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci)
Thrips development is favored by hot, dry weather. Thrips typically feed along the midvein in folded leaves and in protected inner leaves, although they may feed on exposed leaf surfaces when populations are high. Their rasping mouthparts cause white scars on leaves while feeding. High pest pressure can reduce photosynthetic capacity and plant growth, as well as provide entry points for foliar diseases. In severe infestations, the field may appear silvery in color. Both adults and nymphs cause damage.
Heavy rain or overhead irrigation can lower populations quickly. Lacewing larvae, pirate bugs, and predatory thrips are important natural enemies. Reduce populations by cleaning up crop residue after harvest to limit overwintering sites. Do not plant garlic near other allium crops or alfalfa, clover, cucurbits, or brassicas, as these can harbor large thrips migrating to garlic when these crops are cut or harvested. Incorporate crop residues promptly after harvest and practice crop rotations out of allium crops.
Begin scouting in June and apply insecticides when thrips average 1-3 per leaf, erring toward the lower threshold when organic. Repeat applications at 7- to 10-day intervals. Use a shorter interval in hot, dry weather and a spreader-sticker for better coverage; complete coverage is critical as thrips hide in leaf folds. Apply in the early evening, using high pressure and 100 gal water/ac for best results. See onion thrips in the Onion section for more information.
IRAC Group 1:
- malathion (Malathion 57 EC): 1.5 to 2 pt/A; PHI 3d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B.
IRAC Group 3:
- deltamethrin (Delta Gold*): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
- gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 48h, Bee: H.
- lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H. See resistance statement on the label.
- permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 9.6 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
- pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 15.61 oz/A; 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal, 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M.
- zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 2.88 to 4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
IRAC Group 4:
- acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 5 to 8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 4A.
- dinotefuran (Venom): 3 to 4 oz/A foliar, 5 to 6 oz/A soil; PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Do not apply to vegetables grown for seed.
- imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 14 oz/A; PHI 21d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Soil applications only.
IRAC Group 5:
- spinetoram (Radiant SC): 6 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Thorough coverage is essential. Efficacy may be improved with the addition of adjuvant.
- spinosad (Entrust SCOG): 4 to 8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Suppression only. Efficacy may be improved with the addition of adjuvant.
IRAC Group 6:
- abamectin (Agri-Mek* SC): 1.75 to 3.5 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
- abamectin plus cyantraniliprole (Minecto* Pro): 7 to 10 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Groups 6 & 28. Do not use as rescue treatment for thrips.
IRAC Group 8:
- sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 100 oz/100 gal; REI 24h, Bee: L, Group 8D. Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper.
IRAC Group 21:
- tolfenpyrad (Torac): 24 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
IRAC Group 23:
- spirotetramat (Movento): 5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 24h, Bee: M. Must be tank-mixed with a spray adjuvant with spreading and penetrating properties to maximize leaf uptake and systemicity. Don't use sticker adjuvants. Controls immature stages. Do not use in greenhouses or high tunnels.
IRAC Group 28:
- cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 13.5 to 20.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. For best performance, use with an effective adjuvant. Suppression only.
- cyantraniliprole plus abamectin (Minecto* Pro): 7 to 10 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Groups 28 & 6. Do not use as rescue treatment for thrips.
IRAC Group 30:
- isocycloseram (Vertento): 3.1 to 4.1 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Begin applications when thrips populations are low. Do not treat plants grown for transplanting. Not for use in greenhouses.
IRAC Group UN:
- Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol ESOOG): 0.25 qt to 1 qt/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply up to 3 qt/A for high pest pressure and/or dense foliage.
- Burkholderia spp. strain A396 cells (Venerate XCOG): 2 to 4 qt/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Suppression only.
- Chenopodium extract (Requiem EC): 1.5 to 3 qt/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Begin application as soon as thrips are seen.
- Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (GrandevoOG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Suppression only.
- kaolin (Surround WPOG): 25 to 50 lb/A, 0.25 to 0.5 lb/gal; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Suppression only.