Comparative Efficacy of Oberon® (spiromesifen) Against Bemisia Whiteflies in Spring Cantaloupes

Several studies were conducted on spring cantaloupes from 2002-2004 to evaluate a new insecticide, Oberon (spiromesifen) for whitefly control in spring melons. These studies demonstrate that this IGR-like insecticide offers melon growers management alternatives for effectively controlling whiteflies. The results strongly suggest that Oberon has good potential for controlling whiteflies in spring melon crops similar to what can be expected from Courier. Oberon provided 21-28 days of residual control of whiteflies under spring growing conditions when applied early in whitefly population growth. Our studies also indicate that spray timing is important for cost-effective control with both Oberon and Courier. They also suggest that action thresholds based on adult abundance and nymph densities differ for these two compounds depending on whether Admire has been applied at planting.