New potato claim protects crops from devastating pest

Share this:

Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) (PTM) can be a significant pest of potato crop production particularly in the upper North Island and under ideal conditions can result in substantial crop losses estimated at up to 40%. Hot, dry weather conditions over the growing period favours insect development along with field cracking of the soil surface enabling PTM easy access to potato tubers. This season however potato growers now have access to a new tool in the fight against PTM. “After four years of rigorous trialing under New Zealand conditions Agrisource is delighted to have registration approval for CAPRA® insecticide from the ACVM” says Darren Faire, Market Development Manager for Agrisource.

CAPRA is a Group 22A insecticide containing the novel active ingredient indoxacarb. Belonging to the oxadiazine class of chemistry indoxacarb delivers broad-spectrum control of lepidoptera insects.

“Indoxacarb has been registered in the USA for control of PTM for many years and it is pleasing to see the resources committed to develop this proven, highly effective tool and make it available to the New Zealand potato industry” comments Daniel Sutton, Potatoes New Zealand.

CAPRA delivers excellent crop protection and is resilient to weathering. Growers will welcome the fact that CAPRA remains stable under a range of environmental conditions and is resistant to wash off by rainfall or overhead irrigation. Being moderately translaminar the product is absorbed into the waxy cuticle of leaves to provide lasting residual activity. Primarily used as a larvicide, inhibition of insect feeding occurs very rapidly which delivers quick protection of potato crops. It also has activity on eggs (ovilarvicidal). The primary route of entry is through ingestion of treated foliage, with some additional absorption through the insect cuticle. Insect pests exposed to CAPRA typically stop feeding within 0-4 hours with paralysis and death occurring within 4-48 hours.

Over its years of field trial development CAPRA has been assessed against industry standards for PTM control such as Benevia® (Group 28), Coragen® (Group 28) and Karate® Zeon® (Group 3) and proven to deliver PTM control equivalent to or better than these standards.

Daniel comments, “What’s so positive about the registration of this active ingredient is that it adds to the potato grower’s toolbox to manage PTM. Resistance by PTM to insecticides is known to occur in various parts of the world and growers will welcome the fact that this Group 22A insecticide will be a smart resistance management tool, used in rotation with different modes of action, to reduce selection pressure placed on current chemistries”.

For a Pukekohe based, privately owned New Zealand company, Agrisource recognised the need for the potato industry to have new solutions for PTM management and committed the substantial investment to secure a potato registration for CAPRA. Growers need access to PTM insecticides that are specifically registered for use on potatoes, carry label directions and have proven efficacy and residue profiles. CAPRA is the only indoxacarb brand registered for potato use. Agrisource is proud to have brought the product to market. Its another tool to help growers maximise yield and crop quality” says Darren.

Getting the best out of CAPRA

Apply CAPRA at 400ml/ha with a non-ionic surfactant.
Apply at first sightings of moths or first appearance of foliage mining and repeat at 7 – 15 day intervals.
Crop monitoring / scouting is recommended after an application of CAPRA and depending on results a reapplication of CAPRA should be carried out if necessary.
Use the shorter interval when insect pressure is high.

Resistance Management

DO NOT apply more than 2 sequential applications, and / or more than 4 applications in any one crop.
Further treatments should be made with alternative mode of action insecticides.

Potatoes New Zealand was able to support the label extension of Capra, as it was included in PTM work already planned. The data from this work contributed to the data package and ultimately sped up the process of growers accessing a new tool.