Insect Control

Aphids, primarily Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae)

Aphids may vector viruses in sweet potatoes, warranting management. See the Pepper insect control section for information on green peach aphid.

IRAC Group 3:

• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 3.2 to 3.8 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. Aids in control.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H. See resistance statement on label. 
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bee: H. See resistance statement on label. 
• lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 3A & 28.
• 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.

IRAC Group 4:

• acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 2.5 to 4 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 4A.
• clothianidin (Belay): 2 to 3 oz/A foliar, 9 to 12 oz/A soil (in-furrow or sidedress), 0.4 to 0.6 oz/100 lb of seed-pieces; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. 
• flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 10.5 to 14 oz/A green peach aphid, 7 to 14 oz/A other aphids; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D. Foliar applications only. 
• imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 1.2 oz/A foliar, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 125d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• sulfoxaflor (Closer SC): 1.5 to 2.75 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4C. Do not use in greenhouses or high tunnels.
• thiamethoxam (Actara): 3 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• thiamethoxam (Platinum 75SG): 1.66 to 2.67 oz/A; REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Systemic insecticide used at planting.

IRAC Group 9:

• pymetrozine (Fulfill): 2.75 to 5.5 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: L, Group 9B. Selective control of aphids. Translaminar. 

IRAC Group 23:

• spirotetramat (Movento): 4 to 5 oz/A; PHI 7d, 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 use in greenhouses or high tunnels.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 28 & 3A.
• cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 13.5 oz/A; REI 4h, Bee: H. For soil applications at planting. Suppression of green peach aphid only.

IRAC Group 29:

• flonicamid (Beleaf 50SG): 2 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 7d, 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.
• Beauveria bassiana (Mycotrol ESO^OG): 0.25 to 1 qt/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply up to 3 qt/A for high pest pressure and/or dense foliage.
• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M.
• mineral oil (SuffOil -X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed.

Cutworms

See the Pepper and Tomato (Outdoor) insect control sections for information on black and variegated cutworms.

IRAC Group 1:

• carbaryl (10% Sevin Granules): 20 lb/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A. Apply evenly over soil surface.

IRAC Group 3:

• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 1.3 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 0.8 to 1.6 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• deltamethrin (Delta Gold*): 1 to 2.4 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 0.77 to 1.28 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H.
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 0.96 to 1.6 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bee: H.
• lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole (Besiege*): 5 to 8 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 3A & 28.
• zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang* Maxx): 1.28 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.

IRAC Group 5:

• spinosad (Seduce^OG): 20 to 44 lb/A, 0.5 to1 lb/1000 sq ft.; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Spread bait on soil around plants.

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).

IRAC Group 18:

• methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F): 6 to 10 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Suppression only.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole & lambda-cyhalothrin (Besiege*): 5 to 8 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 28 & 3A.

Flea Beetle, Sweet Potato (Chaetocnema confinis)

Sweet potato flea beetles feed only on the plant family that includes sweet potato, bindweed (Convolvus spp.), morning glory (Ipomea spp.), and also the Asian leafy green crop known as water spinach (Ipomea aquatica) which is grown only with a state permit in MA because it is a noxious weed in southern states. Adults are small (1.5-1.8 mm) black flea beetles with a bronze cast. Like many flea beetles, they overwinter as adults and become active in spring. They lay eggs primarily in bindweed, where larvae feed on roots, and pupate in the soil. There is 1 generation per year. In sweet potato, adults cause damage primarily to young plants, feeding in long narrow strips on the foliage, parallel to veins, rather than the small round holes that are characteristic of most flea beetle species. Damage is rarely severe enough to require controls. Larvae rarely feed on sweet potato, but may damage fibrous roots or etch channels into the surface of tubers. Some sweet potato varieties have greater resistance to root injury. Because sweet potato acreage is increasing in New England, cultural practices such as crop rotation and eliminating bindweed are especially important to prevent insects that feed on sweet potato and related plants from building up and becoming significant pests.

IRAC Group 1:

• carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus): 1 to 2 qt/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 1A. Do not apply to crops or weeds in bloom. 

IRAC Group 3:

• alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac* CS): 1.8 to 3.8 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid* XL): 1.6 to 2.8 oz/A; PHI 0d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 3.2 to 9.6 oz/A at cultivation or lay-by, 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A foliar; PHI 21d, REI 12h, Bee: H. May be applied as foliar spray to control all adult flea beetles.
• deltamethrin (Delta Gold*): 1.5 to 2.4 oz/A; PHI 3d, REI 12h, Bee: H.
• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H. Adults only.
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bee: H. Adults only.
• lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 3A & 28.
• 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): 1.76 to 4 oz/A; PHI 1d, REI 12h, Bee: H.

IRAC Group 4:

•  acetamiprid (Assail 30SG): 1.5 to 2.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M, Group 4A.
• clothianidin (Belay): 2 to 3 oz/A foliar, 9 to 12 oz/A soil (in-furrow or sidedress); PHI 14d foliar, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. 
• imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 1.2 oz/A foliar, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 125d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• thiamethoxam (Actara): 1.5 to 3 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• thiamethoxam (Platinum 75SG): 1.66 to 2.67 oz/A; REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A. Systemic insecticide used at planting.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 28 & 3A.
• cyantraniliprole (Verimark): 10 to 13.5 oz/A; REI 4h, Bee: H. For soil applications at planting. Suppression of potato flea beetle only.

IRAC Group UN:

• kaolin (Surround WP^OG): 25 to 50 lb/A, 0.25 to 0.5 lb/gal; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Suppression only. Supplemental controls may be needed for complete control.

Tortoise Beetle

There are several species of tortoise beetles which feed on sweet potato and related plants in the morning glory (Convulvulaceae) family and have a broad geographic range. These leaf-feeding beetles cause foliar damage in both adult and larval stages. Adults have a distinctive rounded shape, with their head and thorax covered and flattened often translucent margins on their wings and thorax, giving them the appearance of a turtle shell. Coloration is often bright and metallic, especially in the golden tortoise beetle (Charidotella bicolor). Adults overwinter and lay eggs in late spring and early summer; larvae feed on underside of leaves, and when full grown, pupate attached to the leaf. Larvae are flattened, adorned with branched spines, and construct a protective dried mass of cast skin and feces attached to their posterior end, which is held over their back. Their distinctive feeding holes are round, irregular, and scattered across the leaf. There is 1 generation per year. Unless the numbers are very high, sweet potato outgrows the damage without yield loss.

IRAC Group 3:

• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.02 to 1.54 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H.
• lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior* II): 1.28 to 1.92 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 24h, Bee: H.
• lambda-cyhalothrin + chlorantraniliprole (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 3A & 28.

IRAC Group 28:

• chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin (Besiege*): 6 to 9 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 24h, Bee: H, Groups 28 & 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, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops insect control section for more information on slugs.

IRAC Group UN:

• iron phosphate (Sluggo: Snail and Slug Bait^OG): 20 to 44 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 0h, Bee: L. Apply around perimeter, scatter around base of plants, or band down rows. Apply to moist soil in the evening.

Whiteflies

For more information see whiteflies in the Tomato section.

IRAC Group 3:

• gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare*): 1.54 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 48h, Bee: H. See resistance statement on label. Suppression only.
• 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.

IRAC Group 4:

• flupyradifurone (Sivanto): 10.5 to 14 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 4h, Bee: L, Group 4D. Foliar applications only.
• imidacloprid (Admire Pro): 1.2 oz/A foliar, 4.4 to 10.5 oz/A soil; PHI 7d foliar, 125d soil, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4A.
• sulfoxaflor (Closer SC): 4.5 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: H, Group 4C. Do not use in greenhouses or high tunnels.

IRAC Group 15:

• novaluron (Rimon 0.83EC): 12 oz/A; PHI 14d, REI 12h, Bee: L. Most effective on immature stages. Do not apply more than 2 applications per year for whitefly control.

IRAC Group 23:

• spiromesifen (Oberon 2SC): 16 oz/A; PHI 7d, REI 12h, Bee: M. Effective against immature stages. 
• spirotetramat (Movento): 4 to 5 oz/A; PHI 7d, 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 use in greenhouses or high tunnels.

IRAC Group UN:

• Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1 (Grandevo^OG): 2 to 3 lb/A; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M.
• mineral oil (SuffOil-X^OG): 1 to 2 gal/100 gal water; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: L. Apply as needed.

Wireworms and White Grubs

See the Potato insect control section for more information on wireworms. These root pests are favored by low, heavy soils that have been in sod or pasture. Delay planting susceptible crops, such as corn, potatoes or sweet potatoes, on such land for at least 2 years after the sod has been broken. 

IRAC Group 1:

• ethoprop (Mocap* 15G): 20 to 26 lb/A or 1.6 to 2.1 lb/1,000 row feet; REI 48h, Bee: H, Group 1B. Apply 2-3 weeks prior to planting. Apply only once during the growing season.

IRAC Group 3: 

• bifenthrin (Brigade* 2EC): 9.6 to 19.2 oz/A at-planting for corn and tobacco wireworm, 3.2 to 9.6 oz/A at cultivation or lay-by, 2.1 to 6.4 oz/A foliar for southern potato wireworm; PHI 21d, REI 12h, Bee: H. May be applied as foliar spray for click beetle (adult wireworm) and May/June beetles (adult white grubs).

IRAC Group UN:

• Burkholderia spp. strain A396 (Majestene^OG): 4 to 8 qt/A preplant, at planting, or shortly after as broadcast, soil, or chemigation; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M. Suppression only. 
• Isaria fumosorosea Apopka Strain 97 (PFR-97 20% WDG^OG): 1 to 2 lb/A soil; PHI 0d, REI 4h, Bee: M.