New Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the use of the Syngenta insecticide, Acelepryn, has been reapproved to target leatherjackets for the 2020 season. This supplements the summer chafer grub EA announced in May. The EA permits use of Acelepryn on affected greens, tees and fairways, along with horse race courses and airfields. The treatment period for leatherjackets is up until 31 October 2020.
Leatherjackets cause damage to turf through feeding on roots and leaves – typically resulting in pock-marked and uneven surfaces, which can be severe in localised patches, he pointed out. Racecourses and horse gallops are especially prone to
surface instability where root damage is caused by soil pests. Furthermore, extensive damage can occur in all turf surfaces when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of leatherjackets. Flocks of birds attracted to feed on larvae are of particular concern on airfields.
“The extension of use to the 31 October could prove extremely useful to target later emerging leatherjackets. However, all orders must be received by ICL by 27 October, to enable necessary stewardship records and delivery,” added Mr Bechelet. The Emergency Authorisation permits Acelepryn use in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage, or risk of bird strike on airfields, and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist. This season, for the first time, Acelepryn users will be able to submit online stewardship records of areas treated, via the ICL website.
Syngenta Technical Manager, Glenn Kirby, advised the best results have been achieved with applications when young leatherjackets, at the 1st and 2nd instar stages, are actively feeding near the soil surface.
“It’s important to apply at higher water volumes, using the white O8 XC Nozzle to target the spray through to the soil surface,” he advised. “Irrigation will help to move the spray into the target zone.”
The authorised label permits application at the rate of 0.6 litres per hectare, applied in 500-1000 l/ha water. Only one application per year is permitted on any given area.
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