Insect Control

NOTES:  For the insecticides listed below, one product trade name and formulation is provided for each active ingredient (AI) as an example of rates, preharvest interval (PHI), restricted entry interval (REI), and special instructions. In many cases, there are other products available with the same AI. Please see Table 26 and Insecticides Alphabetical Listing by Trade Name for more information on these insecticides.

The designation (Bee: L, M, or H) indicates a bee toxicity rating of low, moderate, or high. See the Protecting Honeybees and Native Pollinators section for more details.

The symbol * indicates a product is a restricted use pesticide. See Pesticide Safety and Use for more details.

The symbol OG   indicates a product is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved for use in organic production. See Organic Certification section for more details.

Aphids

See Pepper section for more information about green peach aphid.

acephate (Orthene 97): 0.5 to 1 lb/A; PHI 21d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Green Peach Aphid. Tops must be removed before use; do not use tops for food or feed. Celery only.

acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2 to 4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Celery only.

afidopyropen (Versys): 1.5 fl oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12 h, Bee: L, Group 9D.

alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* EC): 2.2 to 3.8 oz/A celery, 3.2 to 3.8 celeriac; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (GrandevoOG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Group UN.

cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 13.5 to 20.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 28. Green peach aphid only. Celery only.

cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 6.75 to 13.5 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28. For soil applications at planting. For control of green peach and suppression of potato aphid only. Celery only.

cyclaniliprole (Harvanta): 10.9 to 16.4 fl oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4 h, Bee: H, Group 28.

dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar or 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Suppression of green peach and potato aphids. Soil application may be as a band during bedding, in-furrow at seeding, transplant or post-seeding drench, sidedress, or through drip. Celery only.

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d celery, 3d celeriac, REI 12, Bee: L, Group 9C. 

flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 7 to 10.5 oz/A for foliar application, 21 to 28 oz/A for soil application (celery only); PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D.

imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; 1.3 oz/A foliar celery; PHI 45d soil, 7d foliar, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Foliar applications allowed for celery only.

insecticidal soap (M-PedeOG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. May need to make repeated applications and/or use a companion insecticide.

malathion (Malathion 57EC): 1.5 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Celery only.

petroleum oil (Suffoil XOG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Celery only.

pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9B. Celery only.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 17 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, Group 3A.

sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM):  100 oz/100 gal; REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 25. Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper, sulfur or oils.

spirotetramat (Movento): 4 to 5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 24h, Bee: M, Group 23. Must be tank-mixed with a spray adjuvant with spreading and penetrating properties to maximize leaf uptake and sytemicity; don't use sticker adjuvants. Controls immature stages; may also reduce adult fertility. Celery only.

sulfoxaflor (Closer SC): 1.5 to 2 oz/A; PHI 3d celery, 7d celeriac, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4C. Application to celeriac foliage and celery only.

sulfoxaflor (Transform WG): 0.75 to 1.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bees: H, Group 4C. Celeriac only.

thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.

thiamethoxam (Platimum): 5 to 11 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Systemic insecticide used as an in-furrow, banded, drench, or drip irrigation application to the seed/seedling root zone during or after planting/transplanting operations. 

tolfenpyrad (Torac): 17 to 21 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 21A

Cabbage Looper and Imported Cabbageworm

See Cabbage and Other Brassica Crops for more information on cabbage looper and imported cabbageworm.

acephate (Orthene 97): 1 lb/A; PHI 21d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Tops must be removed before use; do not use tops for food or feed. Cabbage Looper on celery only.

alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* EC): 1.8 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

azadirachtin (Azatin OOG): 4 to 16 oz/A foliar or drench, 4 to 16 oz/100 gal in greenhouses. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group UN.

Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTariOG): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested; apply in evening or early morning, before larvae are actively feeding. Adherence and weather-fastness will improve with use of an approved spreader-sticker. Use high rate at cool temperatures. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt kurstaki products (Dipel).

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DFOG): 0.5 to 2 lb/A looper, 0.25 to 1 lb/A ICW; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested; apply in evening or early morning, before larvae are actively feeding. Adherence and weather-fastness will improve with use of an approved spreader-sticker. Use high rate at cool temperatures. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt aizawai products (XenTari).

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.4 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Celery only.

carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A. Imported cabbage worm only.

chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 3.5 to 7.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 28. May be applied to soil at planting, through chemigation and as a foliar spray. For drip application, must be applied uniformly in the root zone. For foliar application an adjuvant may be used. Cabbage looper only.

Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (GrandevoOG): 1 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group UN.

cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 10 to 17 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 28. Cabbage looper on celery only.

cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 6.75 to 13.5 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28. For soil applications at planting. Celery only.

cyclaniliprole (Harvanta): 10.9 to 16.4 fl oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4 h, Bee: H, Group 28.

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 6. Cabbage looper on celery only.

indoxacarb (Avaunt): 3.5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 22. Cabbage looper on celery only.

methomyl (Lannate* LV): 3 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1A. For cabbage looper on celery only.

methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 18. Use lower rates when plants are small or infestations are light.

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 3.2 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Cabbage looper on celery only.

petroleum oil (Suffoil XOG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Celery only.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 17 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, Group 3A.

sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 50 oz/100 gal; REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 25. Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper, sulfur or oils. Cabbage looper only.

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5.

spinosad (Entrust SCOG): 3 to 6 oz/A; PHI 1d celery, 3d celeriac, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5. Do not apply to celery seedlings intended for transplant.

tebufenozide (Confirm 2F): 6 to 8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 18. Use higher rate for late-season applications or for heavy infestations. Low toxicity to natural enemies. One pint of adjuvant per 100 gallons of spray mixture is recommended. Celery only.

zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang*): 2.4 to 4.3 oz/A for ICW; 3.4 to 4.3 oz/A for CL; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

Leafminers (Liriomyza species)

There are several species of leafminers in the genus Liriomyza, including the serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii), the vegetable leafminer (L. sativae), pea leafminer (L. huidobrensis) and cabbage leafminer (L. brassicae).  Most of these species feed on a very broad range of vegetables, weeds, flowers and wild plants. Cabbage leafminer is most often found on brassicas, and rarely on other crop groups. In southern regions of the US, Liriomyza leafminers can be pests of basil, beans, cabbage and other brassicas, celery, lettuce, pepper, eggplant, tomato, and cucurbits. In New England, especially with greater use of selective insecticides that conserve natural enemies, these leafminers rarely reach pest status.

Adults in this group are small (2.0-2.5mm), hump-backed, clear-winged flies with black and yellow markings.  Females lay eggs within the leaf, and larvae feed between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf, creating winding mines. When full grown, larvae emerge and form a brown pupa about the size of a rice grain on the leaf or in the soil. The life cycle takes 3 to 4 weeks depending on temperature. Mines render the leaf unmarketable, reduce photosynthetic capacity, and provide entry for pathogens. Leafminers generally are controlled by naturally occurring parasites unless disrupted by broad-spectrum insecticide applications. There is also a commercially available biological control, the tiny wasp parasitoid, Diglyphus isaea, used against Liriomyza leafminers in a wide range of crops; this works best in warm weather. 

In the southern and western US, pesticide resistance has become a problem.  Avoid obtaining transplants from outside the Northeast, which could carry resistant strains. Control broadleaf weeds in and around the crop. Incorporate infested crop residues after harvest to prevent emergence and movement to new plantings. Most importantly, use selective insecticides on other pests to conserve natural enemies. Scouting methods include catching adults on yellow sticky traps placed in mid or lower canopy, or trapping pupae in trays underneath the plants. Counting mines is a good index of past activity, but mines may be vacant and searching for larvae in mines is time consuming.  Treatment may be warranted if damage is delaying growth or marketable parts of the plant are being damaged, and adult fly populations are increasing. 

See the beets and chard section for leafminers that occur on the Amaranthaceae (spinach, beets, chard) crop group.

abamectin (Agri-Mek* SC): 1.75 to 3.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 6. Must be mixed with a non-ionic wetting, spreading and/or penetrating spray adjuvant; do not use binder or sticker type adjuvant. Celery only.

chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 5 to 7.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 28. May be applied to soil at planting, through chemigation and as a foliar spray. For foliar application an adjuvant may be used. Celery only.

cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 13.5 to 20.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 28. Celery only.

cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 6.75 to 13.5 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28. For soil applications at planting. Celery only.

cyclaniliprole (Harvanta): 10.9 to 16.4 fl oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4 h, Bee: H, Group 28.

cyromazine (Trigard): 2.66 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 17. Celery only.

dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC): 1 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Celery only.

dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar or 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Soil application may be as a band during bedding, in-furrow at seeding, transplant or post-seeding drench, sidedress, or through drip. Celery only.

emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 6. Suppression only. Celery only.

insecticidal soap (M-PedeOG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. May need to make repeated applications and/ or use a companion insecticide.

permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Celery only.

petroleum oil (Suffoil XOG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Celery only.

spinetoram (Radiant SC): 6 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5. Control may be improved with the addition of an adjuvant to the spray mixture.

spinosad (Entrust SCOG): 3 to 6 oz/A celeriac, 6 to 10 oz/A celery; PHI 1d celery, 3d celeriac, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5. Control may be improved with the addition of an adjuvant. Do not apply to celery seedlings intended for transplant.

Mites

See Eggplant for more information about mites.

abamectin (Agri-Mek* SC): 1.75 to 3.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 6. Must be mixed with a non-ionic wetting, spreading and/or penetrating spray adjuvant; do not use binder or sticker type adjuvant. Use high rate on celeriac.

Chromobacterium subtsugae (GrandevoOG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, 4h REI, Bee: M, Group UN.

malathion (Malathion 57EC): 1.5 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Celery only.

Metarhizium anisopliae Strain F52 (Met 52 EC): 40 to 80 oz/100 gal soil, 8 to 64 oz/A foliar; PHI 0d, REI 0h, Bee: L, Group UN. Celery only.

petroleum oil (Suffoil XOG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Celery only.

sulfur (Microthiol DisperssOG): 4 to 6 lb/A; REI 24h, Bee: L, No IRAC classification. Celery only.

Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris)

See Lettuce for information about tarnished plant bug. Bugs may feed on leaf petioles or produce lesions or small sunken cavities on stalks.  Injury to the inner growing tip can cause foliar discoloration and tissue destruction that is similar to the physiological condition known as ‘blackheart’.  If your crop is near weedy fallow fields or alfalfa, scout weekly from when celery is 4" tall until 3 weeks before harvest to detect TPB and injury, as the economic injury level is low. Treat at 2 to 4 bugs per 20 plants. Control weeds in and around the field.  Do not plant near legume crops that may be harvested during the season or TPB may migrate to celery. 

beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL):  2.4 to 3.2 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Celery only.

carbaryl (Sevin XLR plus):  1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A.

insecticidal soap (M-PedeOG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Spray to wet all infested plant surfaces. May need to make repeated applications and/or use a companion insecticide.

flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d celery, 3d celeriac, REI 12, Bee: L, Group 9C

petroleum oil (Suffoil XOG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Celery only.

pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0OG): 4.5 to 17 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, Group 3A.