Proven Yield Enhancement Plus Pest Efficacy with Diamond Insecticide

Diamond is a novel, third generation chitin-inhibitor. It has activity on plant bugs, stink bugs, fleahoppers, and numerous species of caterpillars, while being soft on beneficials. Studies have also shown a yield increase, in the absence of insects, when Diamond is applied at 2^nd week of squaring, 1^st week of flower, and 3^rd week of flower. Trials were conducted to determine the average pound lint increase, in the absence of insects, using Diamond at the above crop timings. We also investigated the sublethal effects of Diamond on adult plant bugs and the proper timing of Diamond for maximum control of important cotton insect pests. Average lint for Diamond treated cotton ranged from 160 – 195 pounds per acre. There are sub-lethal effects on plant bug adults where egg viability is reduced by 56%.  Diamond should be timed when target pest has recently hatched. It is ten-times more difficult to control a 2^nd instar plant bug than a 1^st instar plant bu. Diamond insecticide is effective at increasing yield and reducing pest incidence.