University of
Nebraska		 Ent Web Logo Department
of Entomology

Insecticides for Cutworm and Looper Control in Potatoes

Updated March 14, 2003

Economic Threshold:

Treat when 5% of plants are damaged or cut, and larvae are less than 1 inch long.
Cutworms longer than one inch are likely to pupate (i.e. cease feeding) before causing significant additional damage.

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.

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IRAC Mode of Action Classification:
  • Group 1 = Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors; 1A = Carbamates, 1B = Organophosphates
  • Group 3 = Sodium channel modulators
  • Group 4 = Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists/antagonists; 4A = Neonicotinoids
  • Group 5 = Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (allosteric), Spinosyns
  • 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 * = suitable for chemigation ai = active ingredient
Mode of
Action		 Product
Name		 Common
Name		 Rate
(Formulation/Acre)		 Restrictions/Comments
3 R Ambush*,
Pounce*
 permethrin 3.2 - 12.8 oz
(multiple formulations)
See label for rates. 		PHI 14 days; REI 12 hrs.
3 R Arctic 3.2EC* permethrin 4 - 8 oz PHI 14 days; REI 12 hrs.
3 R Asana XL* esfenvalerate 5.8 - 9.6 oz PHI 7 days; REI 12 hrs.
11B2 Biobit HP,
Dipel,
Javelin WG		 Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki Multiple formulations,
see label for rates.		 PHI none; REI 4 hrs.
1B R Declare methyl parathion 3 pts Loopers.
PHI 6 days; REI 5 days.
11B1 Ketch DF* Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai 1 - 2 lbs Loopers.
PHI none; REI 4 hrs.
1B R Lannate LV methomyl Loopers: 1.5 - 3 pts
Variegated cutworm: 1.5 pts		 PHI 6 days; REI 48 hrs.
3, 4A R Leverage 2.7* imidacloprid and
cyfluthrin 		3 - 3.75 oz PHI 7 days; REI 12 hrs.
1B R Monitor 4* methamidophos 1.5 - 2 pts PHI 14 days; REI 72 hrs.
1A Sevin*
(multiple formulations)
Carbaryl 4L*		 carbaryl 1 - 2 lbs ai
See label for rates.		 Cutworm feeding above soil surface.
PHI 7 days; REI 12 hrs.
5 R Spintor 2SC*
Success* 		spinosad 4.5 - 6 oz Loopers.
PHI 7 days; REI 4 hrs.
11B1 XenTari* Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai 0.5 - 1.5 lbs Loopers.
PHI none; REI 4 hrs.
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