Effect of Afidopyropen and Dinotefuran on Controlling the Spotted Lanternfly, 2021

The goal of this set of trials was to test the efficacy of two insecticides to control the spotted lanternfly (SLF) in ornamentals. Potted 3-ft tall hydrangea plants in 3-gal containers with pine bark were used to cage 10 SLF second instars and 20 unsexed adults. SLF were collected from a tree stand in a suburban area near Winchester, VA, the day before the initiation of each trial. The first trial using only nymphs was sprayed on 7 Jul 2021 in a private lawn within the quarantine area for SLF in the city of Winchester. Afidopyropen (Ventigra, two application rates), dinotefuran (Zylam), and an untreated control check were set up as a RCBD with four replications, using one potted hydrangea per cage. Insecticides were sprayed as foliar applications, until run-off, using a CO₂ backpack with a TP Teejet 8003 VS nozzle at 30 psi. The second trial, using only adults caged on hydrangea plants was sprayed on 20 Aug 2021. Unfortunately, all adults died in all the control plants during this second trial. Therefore, a third trial using only adults was set up again on 30 Aug 2021. For this last trial, potted tree of heaven plants in 6-gal containers with regular potting soil mix were used to cage SLF adults. These plants were up to 2 ft tall and with at least five leaves. Number of alive nymphs and adults were counted 7 days after treatment (DAT) for the first trial and 10 DAT for the third trial. Data were subject to an ANOVA, and means were separated using the Tukey’s HSD.

Applied insecticides significantly influenced the number of alive nymphs 7 DAT and alive adults 10 DAT (Table 1). Zylam consistently reduced SLF nymphs and adults in both hydrangeas and tree of heaven plants, killing 100% of exposed individuals. The efficacy of Ventigra on controlling SLF varied; lower number of live nymphs were found on hydrangea plants treated with the higher rate when compared to the control plants. Ventigra failed to control SLF adults on tree of heaven plants regardless of the application rate; the number of live insects did not differ between control and treated plants.¹

Footnotes