Evaluating Effectiveness of Flonicamid on Lygus hesperus

Flonicamid (N-cyanomethyl – 4-trifluoromethyl  nicotinamide) is  a  novel  insecticide compound effective against hemipterans and is gaining wide importance in the management of sucking pest complex in cotton.  Flonicamid acts as a feeding blockant, but mode of action/target mechanism is still unknown. The western tarnished plant bug (WTPB), Lygus hesperus, is emerging as a major pest of cotton in the Texas High Plains. Feeding by WTPB results in square and immature boll shedding that contributes to lint yield reduction. Late season infestation of WTPB results in internal boll injury in the High Plains that affects lint quality. The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of flonicamid on WTPB nymphs and adults when tested through different modes of exposure. Three modes of exposure including direct feeding, topical, and residual assays were used to evaluate the efficacy of the compound against the pest. Commercial formulation of flonicamid, Carbine 50 WG, was also tested for its effectiveness against Lygus damage on cotton bolls.