A new mode-of-action insecticide has been approved for use in sugar beet, peas and beans, offering good control of aphids when used as part of an integrated approach.

The Chemical Regulations Division of the Health and Safety Executive has approved Bayer’s flupyradifurone for use in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Marketed as Sivanto Prime, the foliar-applied insecticide is for the control of aphids in sugar beet, fodder beet, potatoes, carrot, combining and vining peas and field beans.

See also: Weather helps reduce beet virus yellows risk

This is the first authorisation of flupyradifurone in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which belongs to the butenolide sub-group of the nicothinic acetylcholine receptor competitive modulators mode-of-action group.

“Sivanto Prime delivers quick knockdown activity and has translaminar mobility [the ability to move across the leaf] to control a range of aphid species,” says Tom Astill, Bayer market development representative.

The product also features a favourable safety profile for many beneficial predators and parasitoids, he adds.

To protect its efficacy for future seasons, growers are urged to follow the stewardship guidelines which will be located on the Sivanto Prime product page of the Bayer website.

“For example, it should only be used at treatment thresholds and as part of an integrated pest management plan featuring cultural and biological means of control”, Tom explains.

The insecticide is already widely approved for use in a range of flowering and non-flowering commercial crops across the EU and North America.