Take Control Of Tough Grape Pests And IPM Strategies With Clutch Insecticide

Posted by Christina Herrick|May 18, 2011

California grape growers have a lot to manage when it comes to insect control. But more grape growers are seeing that Clutch® Insecticide brings not only excellent control of their toughest pests, but also added benefits for their integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.

“With a number of grape products on the market with similar classes of chemistries, growers have to think ahead about the products they are using in their vineyards. They have to proactively manage the modes of action throughout the year to slow down generating resistance among insect pests,” said Carlos Granadino, product development manager for Valent U.S.A. Corporation. “Growers and researchers have found that Clutch — the newest neonicotinoid available in grapes — is a fast-acting, long-lasting product that can be used at different application timings to enable growers to implement IPM strategies to control key pests in vineyards.”

Clutch is a third-generation neonicotinoid that has the flexibility to be used as a soil or foliar application, working faster and lasting longer than others in its class in grapes. Granadino said the reliability and flexibility that Clutch brings add value and convenience to growers.

“In the spring, growers using Clutch as a soil application have seen consistent control of mealybugs and leafhoppers during critical fruiting stages. This helps set the season up for a grower to come in later with a foliar application of a product with a different mode of action,” Granadino said. “And as a foliar in-season (summer) application, Clutch controls mealybugs: the grapevine mealybug, but also obscure, longtailed, and grape mealybug, making it a reliable, sound strategy for in-season management of mealybugs.”

Lyndon Inouye, grape specialist for Valent, said Clutch has become an effective new tool for growers in California for a broad spectrum of grape pests.
“There simply are not enough options available to those growers needing effective control, but wanting to keep IPM and resistance management as part of their strategy,” Inouye said. “After several seasons of proven results, Clutch is now an integral part of the university recommendations for good control with an eye to IPM.”