Insecticide

[phil]

Has anyone had experience with a new insecticide ‘Provanto Smart’. It is a systemic insecticide containing Flupyradifurone as a new active ingredient.

[Nick_G]

No, but I'm interested. Have you seen it offered as a concentrate?

[el48tel]

Likewise ..... so tell me more too please

[phil]

No, but I'm interested. Have you seen it offered as a concentrate?

It only seems to be available as a ready to use spray at the moment. Hopefully it will soon be available as a concentrate too.

[Cactus Kid]

States the following. "Suitable for killing and controlling: greenfly, blackfly, caterpillars, beetles, weevils, apple & pear suckers, capsids, sawfly and whitefly"

Also states it "controls sucking pests"

No mention of the dreaded mealy but we can hope

[JonNo]

If the active ingredients are the same as in Provanto Ultimate (which a very brief look on Amazon suggests they might be) hasn't it been previously mooted that they aren't effective against Mealys? Although as Cactus Kid said the description does say "controls sucking pests"... It will be nice if it is effective, the little sucking pests are the bane of my life..!

[Pattock]

Flupyradifurone seems to have been designed to not actually be a neonicotinoid but have the same active parts of the molecule and the same activity as a neonicotinoid.* Specifically designed to avoid the partial ban in the same way as those manufacturers of "legal highs" who make a molecule just different enough from the banned substances to avoid legal restrictions until the authorities get round to banning that one as well.

Not yet tested by the manufacturer on mealybugs, leafminer, soft scales, weevils, flea beetles and psyllids.

Some published studies are suggesting that it is not as safe for bees, especially wild bees, as was claimed by the manufacturer.

* Functionally, both neonicotinoids and flupyradifurone are irreversible nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists in insects.

[iann]

Looks as if it should be effective against mealies, but at least one study found it wasn't. Not labelled for mealybug. Also not apparently much good against mites. Otherwise as described, very like a neonicotinoid systemic insecticide, but with key differences. Might not be much help to us if it doesn't kill mealies or mites.

[el48tel]

Could be part of a multi strand attack programme not relying entirely (and unsuccessfully) on one product

[Pattock]

I am going to keep hammering this one home every time anyone mentions mealy bugs.

The manufacturers of SB Invigorator recommend one application and then another 24 hours later to successfully kill mealy bugs. The first destroys the wax armour, the second drowns/suffocates the now defenseless insect.

https://sbproducts.co.uk/pest-control/mealybug/