Insect Control

Aphids, primarily Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae)

Aphids in spinach are primarily green peach aphids. See the Pepper insect control section for more information on green peach aphid. Thresholds used in other regions may apply, including 1 aphid/plant on seedlings and 4-10 aphids per plant on older plants. Natural enemies often provide control. Aphid outbreaks can occur after using broad-spectrum insecticides due to the loss of natural enemies, so aphid-selective products should be used whenever possible. Take measures to cover the undersides of leaves if using materials that do not have translaminar or systemic movement.

IRAC Group 1:

• malathion (Malathion 57EC): 1.6 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1B.

IRAC Group 3:

• permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 4.5 to 15.61 oz/A, or 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal and 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M.
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 2.24 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. See resistance statement on label. Aphid control may be variable depending on species present and host-plant relationships.

IRAC Group 4:

• acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2 to 4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 4A.
• dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar, 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, PHI 21d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Do not apply to vegetables grown for seed. For suppression of green peach and potato aphid only. 
• flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 10.5 to 14 oz/A foliar for green peach aphids, 7 to 14 oz/A foliar for other aphids, 21 to 28 oz/A for soil; PHI 1d foliar, 21d soil, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D.
• 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. 
• 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.

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 9:

• afidopyropen (Versys): 1.5 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9D. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.
• pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9B. Translaminar.

IRAC Group 21:

• tolfenpyrad (Torac): 17 to 21 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Not for lettuce aphid.

IRAC Group 23:

• spirotetramat (Movento): 4 to 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, may also reduce adult fertility. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.

IRAC Group 28:

• cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 13.5 to 20.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not use adjuvants in tank mix with Exirel in spinach. 
• 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. For control of green peach and suppression of potato aphid only. 
• cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL): 10.9 to 16.4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: H. For best results, use with an effective adjuvant. Use high labeled rate for best performance. Melon aphid only. 

IRAC Group 29:

• flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L.

IRAC Group UN:

• 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. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake.
• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M.
• insecticidal soap (M-Pede^OG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Apply this product only on tank mix combination with labeled companion insecticide for green peach aphid. Do not mix with sulfur. 

Blister Beetles

See the Beets and Swiss Chard insect control section for information on blister beetles. A single spot spray with a broad-spectrum insecticide registered for caterpillars on spinach will control the beetles.

IRAC Group 3:

• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 4.5 to 15.61 oz/A, or 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal and 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M..

Cabbage Looper (Trichoplusia ni) and Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

See the Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops insect control section for information on cabbage looper (CL) and the Sweet Corn insect control section for information on fall armyworm (FAW).

IRAC Group 1:

• carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A. Do not apply to crops or weeds in bloom. FAW only.
• methomyl (Lannate* LV): 1.5 to 3 pt/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1A. Do not apply if minimum daily temperature is less than 32°F. Do not apply to seedlings less than 3" in canopy diameter. CL may be resistant.

IRAC Group 3:

• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.4 oz/A CL, 2.4 to 3.2 oz/A FAW; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H. For FAW, controls 1st and 2nd instar larvae only.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 40d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 3.2 to 12.8 oz/A CL, 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A FAW; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• pyrethrin (PyGanic EC5.0^OG): 4.5 to 15.61 oz/A, or 0.25 to 0.50 oz/gal and 3 gal/1000 sq ft in greenhouse for backpack sprayers; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: M.
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 3.2 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.

IRAC Group 5:

• spinetoram (Radiant SC): 5 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel spinach.
• spinosad (Entrust SC^OG): 3 to 6 oz/A looper, 4 to 8 oz/A armyworm; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Do not apply to seedlings for transplant.

IRAC Group 6:

• emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 2.4 to 4.8 oz/A armyworm, 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A looper; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.

IRAC Group 8:

• 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. CL only. 

IRAC Group 11:

• Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari^OG): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A looper, 0.5 to 2.0 lb/A armyworm; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. For armyworm, use alone to control light populations or first and second instar larvae. Add a contact insecticide to control more mature larvae and higher populations. 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. Must be ingested. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt aizawai products (XenTari).

IRAC Group 18:

• 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. 
• tebufenozide (Confirm 2F): 6 to 8 oz/A early season on young plants, 8 oz/A mid- to late-season; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L. 

IRAC Group 21:

• tolfenpyrad (Torac): 21 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Suppression of armyworms only. Not for CL.

IRAC Group 22:

• indoxacarb (Avaunt): 3.5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H. CL only.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 3.5 to 7.5 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 4h, Bee: L. May be applied to soil at planting, through drip chemigation, or as a foliar spray. For CL only. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.
• cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 10 to 17 oz/A CL, 7 to 13.5 oz/A FAW; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not use adjuvants in tank mix with Exirel in spinach. 
• 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. CL only.

IRAC Group UN:

• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 1 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M.

Leafminer, Beet and Spinach

See the Beet and Swiss Chard insect control section for information on beet and spinach leafminers.

IRAC Group 3:

• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A; PHI 40d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• permethrin (Pounce* 25WP): 6.4 to 12.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.

IRAC Group 4:

•  dinotefuran (Venom): 1 to 3 oz/A foliar, 5 to 7.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, PHI 21d soil, 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. Control may be improved with addition of an adjuvant. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel spinach.
• spinosad (Entrust SC^OG): 6 to 10 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Do not apply to seedlings for transplant. Control may be improved with addition of an adjuvant.

IRAC Group 6:

• abamectin (Agri-Mek* SC): 1.75 to 3.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.
• emamectin benzoate (Proclaim*): 3.2 to 4.8 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Suppression only. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.

IRAC Group 17:

• cyromazine (Trigard): 2.66 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole (Coragen): 5 to 7.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: L. May be applied to soil at planting, through drip chemigation, or as a foliar spray. Do not apply to greenhouse or high tunnel crops. For leafminer larvae only.
• cyantraniliprole (Exirel): 13.5 to 20.5 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not use adjuvants in tank mix with Exirel in spinach. 
• 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. 
• cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL): 10.9 to 16.4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 4h, Bee: H.

IRAC Group 30:

• isocycloseram (Incipio): 2.1 to 4.1 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H. Do not treat plants grown for transplanting. Not for use in greenhouses.

IRAC Group UN:

• 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. When using lower rates, combine with adjuvant for improved spray coverage and translaminar uptake. 
• insecticidal soap (M-Pede^OG): 1.25 to 2.5 oz/gal water; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Apply this product only in a tank mix combination with a labeled companion insecticide. Do not mix with sulfur. 

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, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops insect control section for more information on slugs.

IRAC Group UN:

• metaldehyde (Deadline Bullets): 25 lb/A maximum in single application, up to 3x/season; REI 12h, Bee: L. Apply to moist soil in the evening. Do not apply directly to or contaminate edible portions of plants.

Winter Cutworms (Noctua pronuba)

Winter cutworm is a newer, emerging pest in winter high tunnels. They are climbing, foliar-feeding cutworms that are particularly cold-hardy. The adults are large yellow underwing moths and are about 1" long and are active in the summer and fall. They lay eggs in masses on leaves. Winter cutworms vary in color with a dotted line along their backs and have a brown head capsule with black markings. Larvae are usually observed starting in August and feed in high tunnels throughout the fall and winter. Pupation occurs in the spring. They are active during our coldest months, with the worst damage occurring in November and December.

Damage includes large feeding holes and feeding on leaf margins in spinach, Swiss chard, lettuce, and carrots. These cutworms are nocturnal feeders and hide in the soil during the day. They are also highly mobile caterpillars.

Row covers or exclusion netting may work in some situations but needs to be timed with moth flights to prevent egg laying. Products used to target caterpillars may work for insecticides, but they need to be registered for use in high tunnels. Some efficacy has been seen with Bt products and spinosyns, but research is ongoing.

IRAC Group 5:

• spinosad (Seduce): 20 to 44 lbs/acre, 0.5 to 1 lb/1000 sq ft.; PHI 1d; REI 4h; Bee: M. Spread bait on soil around plants. Do not apply to seedling leafy crops grown for transplant within a greenhouse or shade house.

IRAC Group 11:

• Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai (XenTari^OG): 0.5 to 1.5 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. 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. Must be ingested. For resistance management, may be rotated with Bt aizawai products (XenTari).