Dow AgroSciences announces label changes for Conserve SC

To reinforce its resistance management approach, Dow AgroSciences has changed its label for Conserve SC turf and ornamental insect control. In addition to adding chilli thrips, application recommendations have been updated to reduce the risk of resistance, providing nursery managers, landscape contractors and golf course superintendents with a powerful tool.

"From the beginning, Dow AgroSciences has stressed the benefits of integrated pest management (IPM) and rotating modes of action to help control pests and avoid resistance,” says Raymond Miller, Dow AgroSciences national nursery specialist. “Thrips have relatively short life cycles, resulting in multiple generations per crop or season. That’s why it’s so important to follow the new rotation recommendation.”

The maximum number of consecutive applications of Conserve SC was changed from three to two. If additional treatments are required after two consecutive applications, it is recommended to rotate to another class of insecticides for at least two applications. The maximum number of applications of Conserve SC per year is six.

"By rotating to different modes of action every two treatments, you decrease the chance of treating consecutive generations,” Miller says. “This decreases the chance of developing resistance to any of the products used.”

Conserve SC combines the efficacy of synthetic insecticides with the benefits of biological pest control products. When used according to label directions, Conserve SC can be used to control a variety of thrips, including chilli thrips and western flower thrips, as well as leafminers, black cutworms, fall armyworms and gypsy moth larvae.

Spinosad, the active ingredient, is derived from a naturally occurring organism. It has a unique mode of action, which makes it compatible with IPM programs and useful in rotation programs designed to fight resistance. It was accepted for review and registration under the Reduced Risk Pesticide Initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.