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 27 and Insecticides Alphabetically Listed 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 Regulations 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, Lettuce (Nasonovia ribisnigri)

The most common aphid present on lettuce is the lettuce aphid. This pest is of European origin. The lettuce aphid overwinters on Ribes species, which includes gooseberries and currants. Winged aphids that colonize lettuce are dark, while wingless females that reproduce on lettuce are pale yellow to green, sometimes reddish, with darker patches. Unlike other aphid species, they feed in the interior of the head, making them difficult to detect and to reach with insecticides. Scout plants at the seedling stage and before heads form. Check field margins, where infestations begin. If one planting becomes infested, use tillage to incorporate crop residue and prevent spread to later succession plantings. Potato aphid, green peach aphid, or lettuce root aphid may also occur. See Potato insect control section for more information on potato aphid, and Pepper insect control section for more information on green peach aphid.

• acephate (Orthene 97): 0.5 to 1 lb/A; PHI 21d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. For green peach aphid. For head lettuce (crisphead) only. 
• acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2 to 4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 4A.
• afidopyropen (Versys): 1.5 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9D. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops. 
• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 2.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. See resistance statement on label. Aphid control may be variable depending on species present and host-plant relationships.  
• azadirachtin (Azatin O^OG): 4 to 16 oz/A foliar or drench, 4 to 16 oz/100 gal in greenhouses; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group UN. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake.
• Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol ESO^OG): 0.25 to 1 qt/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group UN. Apply up to 3 qt/A for high pest pressure and/or dense foliage.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Head lettuce only.
• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 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. 
• cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 6.75 to 13.5 oz/A soil at planting, 6.75 to 10 oz/A chemigation; PHI 1d chemigation, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28. For control of green peach and suppression of potato aphid only.
• dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC): 0.5 pt/A; PHI 14d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Not for head lettuce.
• dinotefuran (Safari 20SG): 0.16 to 0.25 oz/1,000 sq ft or 3.5 to 5.5 oz/100 gal or 7 to 11 oz/A; REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. For transplants while in greenhouse. Not for field use.
• dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar, 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. For suppression of green peach and potato aphid only.
• flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 29.
• flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 7 to 14 oz/A foliar, 21 to 28 oz/A soil; PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 3A. See resistance management statement on label. Suppression only.
• imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 1.3 oz/A foliar, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. For foliar applications, apply only to fully leafed-up canopies.
• insecticidal soap (M-Pede^OG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Use in combination with a specified rate of another labeled product. 
• malathion (Malathion 57 EC): 1.5 to 2 pt/A endive, 2 pt/A lettuce; PHI 7d endive, 14d lettuce, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Lettuce and endive only.
• methomyl (Lannate LV*): 1.5 to 3 pt/A; PHI 7d for 1.5 pt/A, 10d for over 1.5pt/A, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1A. For lettuce (head and leaf varieties) only.
• mineral oil (SuffOil-X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed. Lettuce only.
• pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9B. Translaminar. 
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 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, Group 3A.
• 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. 
• 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 systemicity. Don't use sticker adjuvants. Controls immature stages, may also reduce adult fertility. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops. 
• sulfoxaflor (Closer SC): 1.5 to 2 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4C. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops. 
• thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• thiamethoxam (Platinum 75SG): 1.66 to 3.67 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Systemic insecticide used at planting. 

Aster Leafhopper (Macrosteles quadralineatis)

See Carrot and Parsnip insect control section for more information on aster leafhopper and the yellows mycoplasm that it vectors.

• acephate (Orthene 97): 0.5 to 1 lb/A; PHI 21d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. For head lettuce (crisphead) only.
• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 2.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.4 to 3.2 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Head lettuce only.
• carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A. 
• dimethoate (Dimethoate 4EC): 0.5 pt/A; PHI 14d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Not for head lettuce.
• dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar, 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 7 to 14 oz/A foliar, 21 to 28 oz/A soil; PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 1.3 oz/A foliar, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. For foliar applications, apply only to fully leafed-up canopies.
• insecticidal soap (M-Pede^OG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. 
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Lettuce only.
• malathion (Malathion 57 EC): 2 pt/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Lettuce only.
• methomyl (Lannate LV*): 1.5 to 3 pt/A; PHI 7d for 1.5 pt/A, 10d for over 1.5pt/A, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1A. For lettuce (head and leaf varieties) only.
• mineral oil (SuffOil-X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed. Lettuce only.
• permethrin (Pounce 25WP*): 3.2 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 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, Group 3A.
• thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• thiamethoxam (Platinum 75SG): 1.66 to 3.67 oz/A; PHI 30d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Systemic insecticide used at planting.
• tolfenpyrad (Torac): 14 to 21 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 21A.
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 2.24 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

Cabbage Looper (ITrichoplusia ni)

An occasional pest of lettuce, especially in late season when migratory flights have brought high numbers of cabbage looper moths into New England. See Cabbage section for more information on cabbage looper.

• acephate (Orthene 97): 1 lb/A; PHI 21d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 1B. For head lettuce (crisphead) only. 
• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 3.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• azazadirachtin (Azatin O^OG): 4 to 16 oz/A foliar or drench, 4 to 16 oz/100 gal in greenhouses; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group UN. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake.
• Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari^OG): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt kurstaki products (Dipel).
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DF^OG): 0.5 to 2 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested. 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.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Head lettuce 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 drip chemigation, and as a foliar spray. 
• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 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.
• cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 6.75 to 13.5 oz/A soil at planting, 6.75 to 10 oz/A chemigation; PHI 1d chemigation, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28.
• cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL): 10.9 to 16.4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: H, Group 28.
• emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 6. Apply when larvae are first observed.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 0.77 to 1.28 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• indoxacarb (Avaunt): 2.5 to 3.5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 22A.
• methomyl (Lannate LV*): 1.5 to 3 pt/A; PHI 7d for 1.5 pt/A and 10d for over 1.5 pt/A, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1A. For lettuce (head and leaf varieties) only.
• methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 8 oz/A early season on young plants, 8 to 10 oz/A mid- to late-season; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 18. 
• mineral oil (SuffOil-X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed. Lettuce only.
• permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 3.2 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. 
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 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, Group 3A.
• sodium tetraborohydrate decahydrate (Prev-AM): 50 oz/100 gal; REI 24h, Bee: L, Group 8D. Do not apply in midday sun or mix with copper. 
• spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5.
• spinosad (Entrust SC^OG): 3 to 6 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5.
• tebufenozide (Confirm 2F): 6 to 8 oz/A early season on young plants, 8 oz/A mid- to ate-season; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 18. 
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 3.2 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

Cutworms

Cutworms are caterpillars that hide under the soil surface adjacent to the plant stem during the day and feed on stems after dark. For best results, make applications between midnight and dawn while cutworms are feeding aboveground. Synthetic pyrethroids (Group 3A) may work best during cool spring weather. See cutworms in the Pepper and Tomato (Outdoor) sections for more information on black and variegated cutworms.

• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 2.2 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari^OG): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt kurstaki products (Dipel).
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel DF^OG): 0.5 to 2 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 11. Must be ingested. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt aizawai products (XenTari).
• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 0.8 to 1.6 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Head lettuce only.
• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 1 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group UN.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 0.77 to 1.28 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 0.96 to 1.6 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Lettuce only.
• methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 4 to 8 oz/A early season on young plants, 8 to10 oz/A mid- to late-season; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 18. Suppression only.
• permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.
• spinosad (Seduce^OG): 20 to 44 lb/A or 0.5 to1 lb/1000 sq ft.; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M, Group 5. Spread bait on soil around plants.
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 2.24 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.

Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris)

The tarnished plant bug (TPB) is a small (1/4”) bronze-colored insect with a triangular marking on its back. TPB adults are highly mobile. The immature, or nymph stage is smaller and bright green, resembling an aphid, but much more active. Adults overwinter in weeds and crop residue and become active in early spring, laying eggs in plant tissue. Young tissue such as flower buds, immature fruit, and emerging leaves are preferred feeding sites compared to mature fruit, stems, or leaves. There are 2-3 generations per year. The sucking injury from adults and nymphs can cause dieback of the growing tip, death and drop of buds or flowers, brown scars on leaf ribs, and distorted or stunted growth of leaves, pods, seeds, or fruit. TPB injury in lettuce includes piercing of leaf ribs, which leaves a brown scar; this is especially noticeable on romaine. The range of vegetable and fruit crops affected by TPB is great; field crops such as alfalfa and many weeds are also favored hosts. In this guide, celery, lettuce, bean, and eggplant list TPB as a pest, but these are not the only crops that could be affected. In vegetables, TPB is generally not a seriously damaging pest unless the vegetation surrounding crop fields is serving as a source of large populations, and the crop offers more succulent feeding than the surrounding fields. Avoid planting lettuce near abandoned, weedy fields or alfalfa crops. While alfalfa may serve as a trap crop, mowing alfalfa may cause TPB to leave mowed fields for nearby vegetables, causing TPB damage to increase. Scout plants for signs of injury and for TPB adults or nymphs. Sweep nets can be used in crops that will not be damaged by sweeping. There are both native and imported predators and parasites of TPB. Insecticides are warranted if damage is increasing and the crop stage is such that significant crop injury can be prevented.

• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 2.4 to 3.2 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 3A.See resistance statement on label.
• carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A.
• flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 29.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 3A. See resistance statement on label.
• insecticidal soap (M-Pede^OG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. 
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Group 3A. Lettuce only.
• mineral oil (SuffOil-X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed. Lettuce only.
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 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, Group 3A.

Slugs

Damage appears as shredded foliage. Look for silvery slime trails on leaves or turn over soil clods or debris to find slugs during daylight hours. Grow plants away from moist, shaded habitats, use clean cultivation, control weeds, hand pick/crush slugs, or scatter baits on the ground near infested plants. See the Cabbage section for more information on slugs.

• iron phosphate (Sluggo: Snail and Slug Bait^OG): 20 to 44 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 0h, Bee: L, Group 9B. Apply to moist soil in the evening.
• metaldehyde (Deadline Bullets): 25 lb/A maximum in single application, up to 3x per season; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Apply to moist soil in the evening. Do not apply directly to or contaminate edible portions of plants. Lettuce only.