Selected Insecticides and Miticides Labeled for Insects and Mites on Vegetable Bedding Plants/Transplants

By Leanne Pundt, UConn Extension and Tina Smith, UMass Extension

2007, latest revision 2024 by L. Pundt

If any information in this table is inconsistent with the label, then follow the label.

Insecticide Target Pests Labeled Crops Comments
Acetamiprid (Tristar 8.5SL)
12 hr. REI Group 4A
Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
fungus gnat larvae, leafminers, leafhoppers,
plant bugs, thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, Cole, cucurbit, fruiting,
and leafy vegetable transplants.
Contact insecticide with high
absorption and upward
systemic mobility.
Afidopyropen (Ventigra) 12 hr. REI Group 9D Aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs Cole, cucurbit, fruiting, and
leafy vegetable transplants for
the home consumer market.
Contact insecticide with
ingestion and translaminar
activity. For vegetable
transplants sold for consumer
market only.
Azadirachtin (Aza-Direct; AzaGuard; Azatin O, Molt-X; Neemix 4.5) 4 hr. REI OMRI-certified products Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
fungus gnat larvae, leafminers, thrips and other
insects depending upon the
label
Many vegetable transplants. Contact insecticides. Insect
growth regulator for immature stages of insects. Repeat applications needed.
Azadirachtin (Ornazin 3% EC) 12 hr. REI Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
fungus gnat larvae, leafhoppers, leafminers,
shore fly larvae, thrips,
whiteflies
Cole crops, cucurbit, eggplant, pepper, tomato, and other miscellaneous crops. Contact insecticide. Insect
growth regulator for immature stages of insects. Repeat applications needed.
Azadirachtin & pyrethrins
(Azera Pro) 12 hr. REI Group unknown and 3A OMRI-certified product
Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
fungus gnats, leafhoppers,
leafminers, shore flies,
thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, leafy, Brassica leafy,
fruiting and cucurbit vegetable transplants.
Insect growth regulator and
contact insecticide combined.
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
aizawaii (Agree WG) 4 hr. REI Group 11A OMRI-certified products
Caterpillars (see labels for
specific types)
Agree: Greenhouse vegetables such as Cole crops, leafy and fruiting vegetables. Stomach poison that must be
ingested to be active. Most
effective against small newly
hatched larvae. Insects stop
feeding and die 1 to 5 days
later.
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
kurstaki (BT Now) (Dipel Pro DF) 4 hr. REI Group 11A
OMRI-certified products
Caterpillars Many vegetables. Such as
leafy, Cole, leafy, and fruiting
vegetable transplants.
Stomach poison that must be
ingested to be active. Most
effective against small, newly
hatched larvae. Insects stop
feeding and die 1 to 5 days
later. Thorough spray
coverage needed.
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp.
israelensis (Gnatrol WDG)
4 hr. REI Group 11A OMRI-certified product
Fungus gnat larvae Leafy and Cole crops, cucumber, pepper, tomato,
eggplant transplants.
Stomach poison that must be
ingested to be active. Most
effective against first instar
larvae. Apply as a media
drench.
Beauveria bassiana ANT-O3
(BioCeres WP) 4 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Aphids, plant bugs, thrips,
whiteflies, and others (see
label)
Brassica leafy, bulb, cucurbit,
fruiting, and leafy vegetables.
Contact insecticide. Active
ingredient is an insect-killing
fungus.
Beauveria bassiana GHA
(BotaniGard ES and 22WP)
4 hr. REI
Aphids, thrips, whiteflies Many vegetables. Do not use
ES formulation on tomatoes.
Contact insecticides. Active
ingredient is an insect-killing
fungus
Beauveria bassiana GHA
(Mycotrol WPO, ESO)
4 hr. REI OMRI-certified products
Aphids, thrips, whiteflies Many vegetables Contact insecticides. Active
ingredient is an insect-killing
fungus
Beauveria bassiana PPRI5539 (Velifer) 12 hr. REI Aphids, mites, thrips, and
whiteflies
Vegetable transplants for the
home consumer market.
Contact insecticide. Active
ingredient is an insect killing
fungus.
Burkholderia ssp. A396
(Venerate GC) 4 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Aphid (suppression),
caterpillars, mites, thrips,
whiteflies
Bulb, Cole crops, cucurbits,
leafy, and fruiting vegetable
transplants.
Contact insecticide & stomach poison that disrupts insect exoskeleton interfering with molting.
Canola oil & pyrethrins
(Pycana) 12 hr. REI OMRI-certified product
Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
fungus gnats, leafhoppers,
leafminers, plant bugs,
spider mites, thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, leafy, fruiting, cucurbit,
Brassica leafy vegetable
transplants.
Combination of a botanical oil and pyrethrins. See label for plant safety information.
Chlorfenapyr (Pylon) 12 hr. REI Group 13 Broad mites, caterpillars
including hornworms, spider
mites, thrips
Tomato, tomatillo, ground
cherry, peppers, eggplant.
Insecticide/miticide with
contact and translaminar
activity.
Chromobacterium subtsugae
PRAA4-1 (Grandevo GC)
4 hr. REI OMRI-certified product
Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
leafhoppers, plant bugs, mites, thrips, whiteflies
Cole leafy, bulb, cucurbit,
fruiting, and leafy vegetable
transplants.
Contact biological fungicide for young immature stages.
Stomach poison. Thorough
coverage is needed. See label for plant safety information.
Cyflumetofen (Sultan) 12 hr. REI Group 25 Twospotted spider mites Cucumber, pepper, and
tomato transplants for home
consumer market (see supplemental labels).
Contact miticide. Compatible
with many biological control
agents.
Cyromazine (Citation) 12 hr. REI Group 17 Dipterous leafminer (Liromyza sp.), fungus gnat
and shore fly larvae
Vegetable transplants (brassica leafy, bulb, cucurbit,
leafy vegetables, pepper, and
tomato) grown for sale to
consumers.
Insect growth regulator.
Available in water-soluble
packets. Applied to growing
media for fungus gnat larvae.
Dinotefuran (Safari 20 SG)
12 hr. REI Group 4A
Aphids, leafminers, thrips
(suppression), whiteflies
Cucurbit, fruiting, cole and
leafy vegetable transplants
grown in enclosed structures.
Contact and systemic
insecticide with translaminar
activity for foliar application.
Hexythiazox (Hexygon IQ)
12 hr. REI Group 10A
Two-spotted spider mites Pepper, eggplant and tomato
transplants.
Ovicide (egg killing activity).
Most active on eggs and
immature stages. Use only
once per calendar year.
Imidacloprid (Marathon)
12 hr. REI Group 4A
Aphids, leafhoppers,
leafminers, fungus gnat
larvae, thrips (suppression),
whiteflies
Vegetable transplants
intended for resale to
consumers.
Contact, systemic, and
translaminar insecticide. Do
not rotate with other products in Group 4A.
Insecticidal Soap (Kopa Insecticidal Soap) (M-Pede)
12 hr. REI OMRI-certified products
Kopa: Aphids, mites, plant
bugs, whiteflies M-Pede: Aphids (suppression), broad mites, leafhoppers, leafminers, plant bugs, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, cole, cucurbit, fruiting,
leafy and other vegetable
transplants.
Contact insecticides. Short
residual activity. See labels
for plant safety information.
Iron phosphate (Sluggo)
O hr. REI OMRI-certified product
Slugs, snails Many vegetable transplants. Bait. Best applied in the
evening. Can be used around
pets and wildlife
Iron phosphate & spinosad
(Bug- N- Sluggo) 4 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Cutworms, slugs, snails Bulb, leafy (except Brassicas),
cole crops, cucurbit, and
fruiting vegetables.
Bait.
Isaria fumosoroseus FE 9901
(ISARID) 12 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Suppression of whiteflies,
aphids, thrips, leafhoppers,
plant bugs, mites, fungus
gnats
Leafy, bulb, root, and tuber
vegetables.
Contact microbial insecticide.
See label for application and
storage directions. Repeated
applications needed. For foliar or drench applications.
Isaria fumosoroseus Apopka
97 (Ancora) 4 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Aphids, leafminers (Liriomyza spp.)., plant
bugs, spider mites, thrips,
whiteflies. Drench applications for thrips pupae, caterpillars.
Vegetable transplants. Contact microbial insecticides. Apply when relative humidity is > 80%. See technical sheet & label for application directions.
Metarhizum brunneum
(LALGUARD M52 OD)
4 hr. REI OMRI-certified product
Thrips, whiteflies, mites
Aphids: celery, lettuce,
spinach, peppers, tomatoes
Cucurbits, onions, celery,
lettuce, spinach, peppers,
tomatoes
Contact bioinsecticide for foliar spray and drench applications depending upon pest. Formerly known as M.
anisopliae Met 52).
Mineral oil (Organic JMS Stylet Oil) 4 hr. REI OMRI-certified product Leafhopper, leafminers,
mites, whiteflies
Cole crops, cucurbit, fruiting,
and leafy vegetable
transplants.
Contact insecticide/miticide.
Foliar injury may occur if
applied during humid conditions. See label for plant
safety information.
Mineral oil (SuffOil- X)
4 hr. REI OMRI-certified product
Aphids, leafhoppers,
leafminers, mites, thrips,
whiteflies
Many vegetable transplants. Contact insecticide/miticide.
Foliar injury may occur if
applied during humid conditions. See label for plant
safety information.
Mineral oil (Ultra-Pure Oil)
4 hr. REI
Aphids, leafhoppers,
leafminers, mites, thrips,
whiteflies
Many vegetable transplants. Contact insecticide/miticide.
Foliar injury may occur if
applied during humid
conditions. See label for plant
safety information.
Neem oil (Triact 70) 4 hr. REI
OMRI-certified product
Aphids, broad mites,
leafhoppers, spider mites,
thrips suppression, and
whiteflies
Bulb, cole, cucurbit, fruiting,
and leafy vegetable
transplants.
Contact insecticide. See label
for plant safety information.
Parasitic Nematodes
(Steinernema carpocapsae)
(Millenium) Exempt from REI
Shore fly larvae (suppression) Greenhouse Crops Apply to moist growing media (55-86° F) during cloudy, overcast conditions. Remove screens and filters from injectors, sprayers. Repeated applications needed.
Parasitic Nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)
(Entonem, NemaShield,
Nemasys, ScanMask) Exempt from REI
Fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae in growing media Greenhouse vegetables Apply to moist growing media (50-86° F) during cloudy, overcast conditions. Remove screens and filters from injectors, sprayers. Repeated applications needed.
Peppermint oil, clove oil,
sodium lauryl sulfate (EpiShield), no REI
Mites, aphids thrips
(suppression), whitefly
(suppression)
Greenhouse food crops Works by contact, suffocation, paralysis, and desiccation.
Pymetrozine (Endeavor)
12 hr. REI Group 9B
Aphids, whiteflies
(suppression)
Many vegetables for home
consumer market.
Insecticide with systemic and
translaminar activity. Apply
only to listed vegetable plants
grown for sale to consumers.
Pyrethrins (PyGanic EC 1.4 11) (PyGanic EC 5.0 11) (PyGanic Specialty) 12 hr. REI Group 3A OMRI-certified products Aphids, caterpillars, fungus
gnat adults, leafhoppers,
thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, cole, cucurbit, fruiting,
and leafy vegetable transplants.
Contact insecticides. Provides
rapid knockdown of pests.
Pyrethrins and Beauveria bassiana Strain GHA (BotaniGard Maxx) 12 hr. REI Group 3A and unknown Aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fungus gnats, leafhoppers,
plant bugs, spider mites,
thrips, whiteflies
Bulb, leafy, brassica leafy, fruiting and cucurbit vegetable transplants. Contact insecticides. Natural pyrethrum combined with
insect-killing fungus. Do not
apply when beneficial insects
are present.
Pyrethrins & PBO (Pyrethrum TR) 12 hr. REI
Group 3A
Aphids, beetles, fungus gnat
adults, leafhoppers, thrips,
whiteflies
Bulb, leafy, brassica leafy,
fruiting and cucurbit vegetable transplants.
Contact insecticide. See label
for specific directions for
placement and use for
successful application.
Pyrifluquinazon (Rycar) 12 hr. REI Group 9B Whiteflies, aphids Cucumber, lettuce, pepper,
and tomato.
Contact insecticide with
ingestion and translaminar
activity. Thorough spray
coverage is needed.
Pyriproxyfen (Distance IGR)
12 hr. REI Group 7C
Foliar spray for aphid &
thrips suppression, and whiteflies. Sprench or drench for fungus gnat and shore fly larvae.
Indoor-grown fruiting
vegetables. Do not apply to
tomato varieties less than one
inch in diameter.
Insect growth regulator. See
label for plant safety
information.
Sulfur (Microthiol Disperss)
24 hr. REI OMRI-certified product Group M02
Broad mite (pepper), spider
mite
Many vegetables. Contact miticide/fungicide.
Crops grown in the greenhouse may be more
sensitive to sulfur injury. Do
not use within two weeks of an oil treatment.
Thiamethoxam (Flagship 25WG) 12 hr. REI Group 4A Aphids, beetles, whiteflies Foliar application to vegetable plants grown for resale to consumers. Contact and systemic
insecticide with translaminar
activity for foliar or drench
application for transplants
only.

If any information in this table is inconsistent with the label, then follow the label.

OMRI-certified product: determined by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) to be suitable for use in certified organic production. Resistance Groups (number and letter) indicate products with a common mode of action based on the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) guidelines at http://www.irac-online.org/. For multiple applications to one crop, select products from different resistant groups.

 


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contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available. The University of Connecticut, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.