Nealta: A novel miticide from BASF for tree nuts and grapes

Nealta is a new miticide from BASF Corporation under development in the United States for control of mites in tree nuts, grapes, and other speciality crops (pome fruits, citrus, strawberries, and tomatoes).   The active ingredient, cyflumetofen, belongs to the benzoyl acetonitrile class of chemistry which has been shown to be selective for and effective against the Tetranychidae family of mites.  Nealta has a mode of action that belongs to the group of respiration inhibitors classified by the IRAC as a Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitor under Group 25. It is a contact pesticide and not systemic; therefore proper spray coverage is required for it to be effective. It is highly active on all Tetranychid mite life stages, including eggs, immatures, and adults. Nealta has been shown to provide rapid knockdown as well as month- long residual activity. Because of its high selectivity for Tetranychid mites, many beneficial arthropods are tolerant to Nealta making it an ideal candidate miticide for use in integrated pest management programs.  In addition, agricultural crops have shown complete tolerance to Nealta indicating that it has excellent plant safety. Nealta’s positive attributes of novel mode of action, selectivity, rapid knockdown and long residual control, safety to a wide number of beneficial arthropods and safety to crops make it an excellent product for control of Tetranychid mite species on multiple crops in US.