Zeal (etoxazole) Registered for Use in Caneberries

Zeal (etoxazole) is now registered for control of phytophagous mites in caneberries.  Zeal is a very welcome addition to our limited suite of miticides in caneberries.  Link to the label is here:

http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld7DK007.pdf 

Had lunch at the Nickel with Tom Dewitt from Valent to get some clarification on the use of this material.  Our conversation was as follows:

Breadth of Control: Zeal controls phytophagous mites in the Tetranychid family very well, so this includes both twospotted spider mites and Lewis mites.  It does not kill eriophyid mites such as redberry mite nor tarsonemid mites such as cyclamen mite.  As a translaminar material, it doesn't matter that the residue doesn't stick around that long on the leaf surface, since plant feeding mites will still pick it up when they penetrate the leaves to feed.  It is important then also to not apply Zeal with surfactants that are stickers because they will impede the translaminar activity and instead to go with a good nonionic surfactant.

Activity on Predatory Mites: Zeal should not be applied on top of a population of predatory P. persimilis mites since it renders the males sterile and the population will cease to grow.  It is recommended to hold off on releasing predatory mites until 30 days after an application of Zeal so as not to impede with their activity.

MRL's: Growers and shippers please take note that while Zeal now has a MRL (maximum residue limit) for Canada in strawberries, it does not have an MRL yet in caneberries. 

I discuss the use of a miticide in this article.  As always, before using this of product, check with your local Agricultural Commissioner's Office and absolutely consult the product label for product registration, restrictions, and use information.

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