Watercress-Lepidoptera larvae

Includes

Beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni)
Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)
Imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae)

Pest description, crop damage and life history

See:

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • azadirachtin (neem extract)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • insecticidal soap (as a mix with spinosad)-May require several applications. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • kaolin-Applied as a spray to foliage, It acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • malathion
  • pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • spinosad-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin) at 0.12 to 1.5 lb/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Slow acting; may need multiple applications. Add an appropriate spreader-sticker to enhance control. Most effective on small larvae. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • Burkholderia spp. (Venerate XC) at 1 to 4 quarts/a. PHI 0 day. REI 4 hr.
  • GS-omega/kappa-Hxtx-Hv1a (Spear Lep) at 1 to 2 pints/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr.
  • imidacloprid (Provado, Prey) at 0.047 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai/a per season.
  • spinetoram (Radiant SC) at 0.039 to 0.078 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. Retreatment interval 4 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/a per year. Limit 6 treatments per season. Do not apply to seedling leafy vegetables grown for transplant within a greenhouse, shade house, or field plot.
  • spinosad (Success, Entrust SC) at 0.023 to 0.125 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed three applications within 21 days. Do not exceed 0.45 lb ai/a per season. Entrust SC is OMRI-listed for organic use.