Value and Fit of Closer® Insecticide in Spray Programs for the Management of Key Invasive Species in Strawberries and Tomatoes

Multiple invasive species species have become major pests in fruiting vegetables in Florida crops. Thrips and whitefly populations can build up on a number of crops with a few species of economic significance such as Western Flower Thrips, Melon Thrips and Silverleaf Whitefly.  These species can cause economic damage to plants in different ways; heavy infestations can lead to reduction of plant health causing several physiological disorders. Some of these can also vector several serious plant-pathogenic viruses. Several control strategies have been implemented over the years to achieve sustainable control and increase profits. Closer insecticide is new and unique chemical class (4C Sulfoxamines) that targets key sap-feeding insects but also controls several thrips species. Closer has unique interactions with the insect acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) that are distinct from those observed with neonicotinoids. It also has a robust lack of cross resistance with other insecticides including neonicotinoids. This new tool facilitates a multi-faceted approached that is required to manage thrips and whiteflies but also helps to preserve the longevity of all other chemical controls. Closer is has an excellent value and fit in IPM programs that includes proper use of different Mode of Actions (MOA), accurate species identification, adherence to economic threshold, and enhancement/preservation of natural enemies).