University of Nebraska

Department of Entomology

Insecticides Registered for Control of Caterpillars in Alfalfa

Updated March 3, 2006 by Keith Jarvi

Economic Threshold for Army Cutworms:
Two larvae per square foot in new stands, four larvae per square foot in established stands.

This list is not inclusive. See http://www.greenbook.net or other resources for additional registrations.
This information is presented in abbreviated form. Be sure to consult the label for additional information and restrictions.

For more information about the biology and management of the army cutworm,
consult NebGuide G93-1145-A, Management of the Army Cutworm and Pale Western Cutworm.

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IRAC Mode of Action Classification:
Group 1 = Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors; 1A = Carbamates; 1B = Organophosphates Group 3 = Sodium channel modulators Group 11 = Microbial distuptors of insect midgut membranes (includes transgenic crops expressing Bacillus); 11B1 = B. t. subsp. aizawai, 11B2 = B. t. subsp. kurstaki R = Restricted-Use Product
Mode of Action	Product Name	Common Name	Rate (Formulation/Acre)	Restrictions/Comments
3 R	Ambush 2E, 25W or 25WP	permethrin	3.2 - 12.8 oz	At 6.4 oz or less, no preharvest interval. Over 6.4 oz, preharvest interval of 14 days.
3 R	Arctic 3.2EC	permethrin	2 - 8 oz	At 4 oz or less, no preharvest interval. Over 4 oz, preharvest interval of 14 days.
3 R	Baythroid XL 2(ee) label	cyfluthrin	0.8 - 1.25 oz	Army cutworm. Preharvest interval of 7 days.
3 R	Baythroid XL	cyfluthrin	0.8 - 1.6 oz	Alfalfa looper, cutworms, (except army cutworm.) Preharvest interval of 7 days.
3 R	Baythroid XL	cyfluthrin	1.6 - 2.8 oz	Alfalfa caterpillar, alfalfa webworm, armyworm, army cutworm, loopers, velvetbean caterpillar. Preharvest interval of 7 days.
11B2	Biobit HP	Bacillus thuringiensis	½ - 1 lb	Alfalfa caterpillar, loopers, armyworms. Use on small larvae. No harvest restrictions.
1A R	Carbaryl 4L	carbaryl	1 - 1½ qts	Alfalfa caterpillar (1), armyworms (1½) Preharvest interval of 7 days.
1B R	Chlorpyrifos 4E	chlorpyrifos	1 - 2 pts	At 1.0 pt, no grazing or harvest for 14 days. Above 1.0 pt, no grazing or harvest for 21 days.
11B2	DiPel ES	Bacillus thuringiensis	1 - 4 pts	Alfalfa caterpillar, armyworms, looper, webworm. Use on small instars. No harvest restrictions.
1B R	Lorsban 4E	chlorpyrifos	1 - 2 pts	Alfalfa caterpillar, armyworms, cutworms. Preharvest interval of 14 days after 1 pint, 21 days after 2 pints.
1B R	Methyl 4EC	methyl parathion	½ - 1 pt	Climbing cutworms. Preharvest interval of 15 days.
1B R	Methyl 4EC	methyl parathion	1 pt	Alfalfa caterpillar, webworm, armyworm. Preharvest interval of 15 days.
3 R	Mustang Max	zeta-cypermethrin	2.24 - 4.0 oz	Alfalfa caterpillar, alfalfa looper, cutworms, webworms. Preharvest interval of 3 days (7days for seed).
3 R	Mustang Max	zeta-cypermethrin	2.8 - 4.0 oz	Armyworm. Preharvest interval of 3 days (7days for seed).
1B R	Nufos 4E	chlorpyrifos	1 - 2 pts	At 1.0 pt, no grazing or harvest for 14 days. Above 1.0 pt, no grazing or harvest for 21 days.
1B R	Parathion 8 EC	parathion	¼ - ½ pt	Alfalfa caterpillars (¼), armyworms, climbing cutworms, and webworms (½). Preharvest interval of 15 days.
3 R	Permethrin 3.2EC	permethrin	2 - 8 oz	At 4 oz or less, no preharvest interval. Over 4 oz, preharvest interval of 14 days.
3 R	Pounce 3.2 EC	permethrin	2 - 8 oz	Alfalfa caterpillar, armyworms, cutworms, loopers, and webworms. Preharvest interval of 14 days if 4 or more oz applied.
3 R	Pounce 25 WP	permethrin	3.2 - 12.8 oz	Alfalfa caterpillar, armyworms, cutworms, loopers, and webworms. Preharvest interval of 14 days if 6.4 or more oz applied.
3 R	Proaxis	gamma-cyhalothrin	1.92 - 3.20 oz	PHI - 1day forage, 7 days hay.
1A	Sevin 80 WSP	carbaryl	1¼ - 1 7/8 lbs	Alfalfa caterpillar, armyworms, webworm, cutworms. Preharvest interval of 14 days
3 R	Silencer	lambda- cyhalothrin	1.92 - 3.84 oz	Preharvest interval of 1 day for forage, 7 days for hay.
3 R	Taiga Z	lambda- cyhalothrin	1.92 - 3.84 oz	Preharvest interval of 1 day for forage, 7 days for hay.
3 R	Warrior	lambda-cyhalothrin	1.92 - 3.20 oz	Alfalfa caterpillar, cutworms, loopers, webworms. Preharvest interval of 7 days for hay, 1 day for forage.
3 R	Warrior	lambda-cyhalothrin	2.56 - 3.84 oz	Armyworms. Preharvest interval of 7 days for hay, 1 day for forage.
11B1	XenTari DF	Bacillus thuringiensis	½ - 1½ lb	Alfalfa caterpillar, loopers, armyworms. Use on small larvae. No harvest restrictions