Australian pome and stone fruit growers will benefit from a powerful new mode of action in the fight against mites, now available from UPL.

Kanemite (156 g/L acequinocyl), approved by the APVMA in January, is the latest miticide on offer from UPL – a leading global miticide supplier. The new miticide is now available in Australia to control two-spotted mites with registration in apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, plums, apricots and cherries.

UPL Australia’s head of marketing and business development, Ian Cass said Kanemite offered a completely new mode of action for managing mites, whilst being soft on beneficial insects and predatory mites.

“The key message with Kanemite is to hit them hard and early,” Mr Cass said. “Kanemite provides fast knockdown and extended residual control of two-spotted spider mites with a single application.”

Kanemite offers excellent contact activity for controlling two-spotted spider mites at all life stages – eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults.

“Using Kanemite early in the season will provide effective long-lasting control whilst maintaining beneficial numbers from the very start,” Mr Cass said.

“The key is to apply as soon as mites appear – do not wait until two-spotted mite populations are exploding and webbing is present.”

Kanemite’s unique mode of action – being the only group 20B on the market – has no known cross-resistance to other miticides, ensuring effectiveness and allowing for true miticide rotations.

Acequinocyl has been shown to be practically non-toxic to bees. It has little to no impact on parasitic wasps, predatory mites, ladybird beetles, rove beetles, lacewings and spiders, and is also soft on other beneficial arthropods, making it a good fit for IPM and IRM programs.

Mr Cass said Kanemite also exhibits excellent crop safety with no phytotoxicity or fruit blemishes evident from its use.

“Kanemite provides knockdown through contact activity and provides residual control, but it has no vapor or systemic activity. Coverage is therefore critical to provide satisfactory control. This is especially important when high levels of mite eggs are present in the orchard.”

Thorough coverage of foliage is essential. For maximum contact activity, Mr Cass said Kanemite should be applied to the point of run-off as soon as mites appear.

Poor coverage may result in less than satisfactory control, especially if eggs hatch due to inadequate coverage. It may also mean there may not be enough active ingredient left to control the newly hatched nymphs.

Proper coverage requires penetration of the canopy using a high volume of water and sufficient water pressure, using proper nozzles and nozzle spacing.

“Only one application of Kanemite should be made per season,” Mr Cass said, “so we recommend hitting them hard with Kanemite as soon as mites appear, taking out mites early but keeping your beneficial insects to work for you throughout the season.”