Influence of Bidrin® X P I I for Controlof Tarnished Plant Bugs in Cotton

A key aspect of developing new products in production agriculture is evaluation by crop protection professionals in a commercial context. 

The plant bug complex, particularly tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is a primary pest in cotton that consistently infests cotton and causes economic losses.  Bidrin^® XPII, a premix of the dicrotophos (Bidrin) and bifenthrin (Discipline^®), pairs the proven performance of Bidrin against insect pests with piercing and sucking mouthparts, such as tarnished plant bugs and the stink bug complex, with the pyrethroid bifenthrin known to be particularly active on Lepidoteran pests.  This combination is a broad spectrum tool for control of insects in mid-to-late season cotton.

In 2011 and 2012, a regional demonstration trial program was initiated to examine the effects of Bidrin XPII on cotton infested with tarnished plant bugs and other pests, such as stink bugs, Lepidopteran pests, and spider mites.  In each commercial-scale test, insecticide treatments were applied with commercial equipment, and insect counts and plant damage were assessed by licensed, independent crop consultants.  Findings are reported.