Current ReportManagement of Insects and Mitesin Greenhouse Floral CropsRaymond A. CloydExtension Specialist and Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Champaign/UrbanaEdited by Tom A. RoyerExtension EntomologistOklahoma State UniversityOklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets are also available on our website at:http://www.osuextra.comDivision of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources • Oklahoma State UniversityCR-67180605Management of insect and mite pests in greenhousesprovides unique challenges. Plants are frequently moved inand out of the greenhouse, creating opportunities for repeatedintroduction of pests. The crops are grown virtually year-around in a protected environment that is favorable for pestdevelopment. The greenhouse provides a contained, pro-tected environment in which the pests can often exist in theabsence of their natural enemies unless they are purposefullyintroduced.Many greenhouse pest populations can be reduced byimplementing and following a comprehensive IPM plan. Sucha plan should include at a minimum:•a regular pest monitoring program coupled with carefulrecordkeeping,• implementation of exclusion techniques and careful sani-tation practices when handling new plants and growingmedia,• thoroughly cleaning the greenhouse after each produc-tion cycle,• keeping all openings into the greenhouse (doors, screens,ventilators) in good repair,• cultural practices such as mowing grass around thegreenhouse to reduce pests,• introduction/conservation of biological control agents whenappropriate.Chemical pesticides can be a part of a comprehensiveIPM plan, but should not be used as a substitute for goodhorticultural practices or as “preventative insurance.” It israrely economically or environmentally justifiable, and pro-vides a recipe for the selection of pests that are resistant to thepesticide. Pesticides should be applied using specified appli-cation methods, to assure optimal control. It is especiallyimportant to follow all safety precautions when applying pes-ticides in a greenhouse due to it's enclosed environment.Follow ALL label directions, especially all Worker ProtectionStandards. Pesticide recommendations in this publicationwere correct as of the “Modified Date.” Always check the labelthat came with the purchased pesticide for the most currentapplication directions and restrictions. More information ongreenhouse pest management can be found in the followingpublications:• F-6707, Pesticide Use and Safety in the Nursery andGreenhouse.• F-6710, Integrated Pest Management in CommercialGreenhouses: An Overview of Principles and Practices.• F-6711, IPM- Scouting and Monitoring for Pests in Com-mercial Greenhouses.Pesticide Pesticide PesticidePest Common Name Trade Name Class* REI** CommentsAphids Acephate Orthene 1B 24 Has translaminar-systemic activity asa spray.Acetamiprid Tristar 4A 12 Has translaminar-systemic activity asa spray.Azadirachtin Azatin/Ornazin 18B 4/12 Slow-acting. Works best whentank-mixed with other insecticides.Beauveria bassianaBotanigard/Naturalis M 4 Three to five applications may beneeded.6718.2Pesticide Pesticide PesticidePest Common Name Trade Name Class* REI** CommentsBifenthrin Talstar 3 12Chlorpyrifos +Cyfluthrin Duraplex 1B + 3 24 Aerosol formulation.Clothianidin Celero 4A 12 Has translaminar-systemic activity.Apply as a foliar or drench.Cyfluthrin Decathlon 3 12Dinotefuran Safari 4A 12 Systemic insecticide with longresidual activity. Highly watersoluble.Endosulfan Thiodan 2A 24Fenpropathrin Tame 3 24 May be combined with Orthene.Flonicamid Aria 9B 12 Has translaminar-systemic activity.Apply as a foliar or drench.Fluvalinate Mavrik 3 12Imidacloprid Marathon 4A 12 Systemic insecticide with longresidual activity.Insecticidal soap M-Pede/OlympicInsecticidal Soap NS 12 Short residual activity. Thoroughcoverage of all plant parts isimportant. Avoid applying atfrequent intervals.Kinoprene Enstar II 7A 4 Slow acting. Only works onyoung aphids.Neem oil Triact Oil UN 4 Short residual activity. See note 2.Paraffinic oil UltraFine Oil UN 4 Short residual activity. Avoidapplying at frequent intervals.See note 2.Permethrin Astro 3 12Pymetrozine Endeavor 9B 12 Has systemic activity. Preventsinsects from feeding by blockingmouthparts.Thiamethoxam Flagship 4A 12 Systemic insecticide. Applied asa foliar or drench.Caterpillars Acephate Orthene 1B 24Azadirachtin Azatin/Ornazin 18B 4/12 Azatin may be used ongreenhouse-grown vegetables.Bacillus thuringiensiskurstakiDipel 11B2 4 May be used on greenhouse-grown vegetables. Insects mustconsume material.Beauveria bassianaNaturalis M 4 Works best when tank-mixed withother insecticides.Bifenthrin Talstar 3 12Chlorfenapyr Pylon 13 12 Has translaminar-systemic activity.Cyfluthrin Decathlon 3 12Diflubenzuron Adept 15 12 Prevents insects from molting.Cannot be used on poinsettias,hibiscus, or Reiger begonia.Long residual activity.Fenpropathrin Tame 3 12 Has beet armyworm activity only.Fluvalinate Mavrik 3 12Permethrin Astro 3 12Spinosad Conserve 5 4Tebufenozide Confirm 18 4 Disrupts molting of caterpillars.Fungus Gnats(Adults) Bifenthrin Talstar 3 12Chlorpyrifos +Cyfluthrin Duraplex 1B + 3 24 Aerosol formulation.Cyfluthrin Decathlon 3 12Paraffinic oil UltraFine Oil UN 4 Short residual activity. Avoidapplying at frequent intervals.See note 2.Permethrin Astro 3 12Fungus Gnats(Larvae) Azadirachtin Azatin/Ornazin 18B 4/12 Azatin may be used ongreenhouse-grown vegetables.Bacillus thuringiensisisraelensisGnatrol 11A1 4 Slow-acting. May be used ongreenhouse-grown vegetables.Chlorpyrifos Duraguard 1B 24 Microencapsulated formulation.Chlorfenapyr Pylon 13 12Cyromazine Citation 17 12 Slow-acting.Diflubenzuron Adept 15 12 Cannot be used on poinsettias,hibiscus, or Reiger begonia.Long residual activity.Kinoprene Enstar II 7A 4 Slow-acting.Pyriproxyfen Distance 7C 12 Read label for precautions whenusing on poinsettias.Steinernema feltiaeNemasys/Scanmask/Entoneem/NemaShield BLO 0 Beneficial nematode that attacksfungus gnat larvae. Apply beforefungus gnat populations are high.Leafminers Abamectin Avid 6 12 Active on larvae. Hastranslaminar-systemic activity.Pesticide Pesticide PesticidePest Common Name Trade Name Class* REI** Comments6718.3Acephate Orthene 1B 24 Active on larvae. Hastranslaminar-systemic activity asa spray.Azadirachtin Azatin/Orazin 18B 4/12 Active on larvae. May be used ongreenhouse-grown vegetables.Cyromazine Citation 17 12 Active on larvae.Permethrin Astro 3 12