Sucking insect pests have always been a major problem for apple and pear growers.
The recent availability of Flikka from Colin Campbell (Chemicals) now provides pome fruit growers with a cost-effective option for the control of woolly apple aphid and long tailed mealy bug.
Flikka is based on the active ingredient flonicamid and has a unique mode of action.
It is classified as a Group 29 insecticide and is the only active ingredient in that grouping.
Flikka therefore, is an ideal product to rotate to in any program aiming to prevent the development of resistance to sucking insect pests.
Campbell’s national sales manager Ramsay Zreikat said Flikka offers a lot of benefits to growers”.
“It is very specific to piercing and sucking pests, so, in addition to its resistance management benefits, Flikka is soft on beneficials and is well suited to situations where IPM is practiced,” he explains.
There is no known cross resistance with flonicamid to other insecticides.
Honeybees exhibit good tolerance to Flikka, though applications are recommended in the early morning or late evening when bees are not actively foraging.
Flikka is both systemic and translaminar in its action and works via both ingestion and contact.
It is active on both nymph and larval stages and disrupts the insect’s nervous system and has a strong antifeeding activity which takes effect shortly after application.
The product is formulated as a wettable granule Mr Zreikat says, which mixes easily and disperses well.
He says it is conveniently packed in 1kg and 5kg plastic jugs, which pour easily for grower convenience.
And has good rain fastness, compatibility and a 21-day withholding period for pome fruit.
“In addition to its straight-out benefits, we also believe growers will be attracted by how economic it is to use Flikka,” Mr Zreikat adds.
Colin Campbell (Chemicals) is an Australian owned company.
“Many people are unaware that Campbells are a 100 per cent Australian owned and operated company which has been in operation for more than 80 years,” he says.
“This means we can be very nimble, and quick to respond to grower needs, market trends and technical questions.
“We have decades of experience in dealing with international suppliers and manufacturers.
“Our global networks and relationships are well established and are what enable Campbells to have a continual pipeline of new products and technologies like Flikka.”
