Incorporation of Transform™ Insecticide in Tarnished Plant Bug Programs: Efficacy, Yield and Economics in Large Plot Demonstration Trials

Sulfoxaflor is the first insecticide from the new sulfoximine chemical class. It was discovered by Dow AgroSciences (DAS) and is proprietary DAS chemistry. This novel insecticide is active against a wide range of sap-feeding insect pests affecting cotton including cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii ),  (plant bugs (Lygus spp.) and whiteflies (Bemisia spp.). Sulfoxaflor marketed under the trade name Transform™ WG received federal U.S. cotton registration May 6^th, 2013. Efficacy experiments with Transform™ WG against tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris)have been ongoing since 2006 in the Mid-South.  

Transform™ WG insecticide is effective at low use rates for key pests in the Mid-South ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 oz/A (0.022 to 0.045 lbs ai/A) with the flexibility to use higher rates up to 2.75 oz/A (0.08 lb ai/A). Key target pest on the Transform™ WG cotton label include cotton aphids and tarnished plant bug. Transform™ WG insecticide is also effective on insect populations resistant to a variety of other insecticide and has minimal effects on beneficial insects (lack of mite flaring). It is also an important resistance management and IPM tool that is being incorporated as part of a rotational program for tarnished plant bugs.