Proforce Scarlet Trio Insecticide.
Scarlet Trio insecticide is a novel 3-way mix of 116 g/L Clothianidin, 83 g/L Clofentezine, and 13 g/L Abamectin which is registered for ground pearl. It appeals to us as turf agronomists because it offers a unique combination of three active ingredients from 3 different chemical groups. This means it is ideal for use in a resistance management program.
It gives an instant knockdown coupled with long-term residual control of a wide range of insect pests and is the first registered insecticide in Australia for the control of ground pearl.
Insect pests it controls include:
- Billbug;
- African black beetle;
- Argentinian scarab;
- Argentine stem weevil;
- Couch fly;
- Mole cricket;
- Couch mite and
- Control of Ground pearl.
Clothianidin – Group 4A
Clothianidin is in the same chemical group as Imidacloprid, the active in Tempo Xtra and Recruit Insecticide.
In the USA clothianidin is a stand-alone product (Arena), and also in combination with bifenthrin (Aloft). This is very safe to use due to its low toxicity to mammals. Also due to its low vapour pressure, clothianidin is unlikely to volatilize from soils.
It gives excellent control of Scarab larvae due to its high soil mobility, long residual activity, superior environmental and operator safety, and it has a wide pest control spectrum.
Clothianidin is a systemic neonicotinoid. It is taken up by the foliage and roots, and then distributed acropetally (upwards in the plant). As an acetylcholine receptor antagonist, it binds to the acetylcholine receptor and interferes with nerve transmission.
Insects are exposed by either contact or ingestion. Upon ingestion, the target insect quickly stops feeding which limits further attack.
Clofentezine – Group 10A
Clofentezine is a long-lasting contact miticide. It mainly interferes with cell growth and differentiation during the final stages of ovicide, and early larval development.
- Works on the egg and early larval stages of the mite
- Is effective for up to 45 days
Abamectin – Group 6
This has limited plant systemic activity but has translaminar movement. It translocates into the leaves and remains for several weeks giving long term control of mites. Abamectin blocks the transmission of electrical activity, and enhances the effects of glutamate. As a result the insect becomes paralysed, stops feeding, and dies.
Abamectin also has contact toxicity, but its stomach toxicity is much stronger. 2-3 days after you apply abamectin, it is at its most effective, and this lasts about 7-15 days.
Abamectin moves via translaminar activity (one side of the leaf to the other) to kill insects that hide in hard to reach plant parts.
Key Features of Scarlet Trio.
- Unique, industry first 3-way insecticide.
- Reliable residual performance.
- Possesses both Contact and Systemic activity.
- Broad Spectrum Activity. Controls 8 insect pests.
- The only insecticide registered for the control of Ground Pearl in turf.
- Registered for Couch Fly which currently has limited control options.
- Scarlet Trio has multiple modes of action to maximise insect control and its spectrum of activity. The actives are in Groups 4A, 10A, and 6.
- Gives reliable control of Couch Mites, African Black Beetle, Billbug, and Argentinian Scarab.
- Can be used as a foliar application for foliar insects (e.g. Mites, Couch Fly) or used as a drench for soil-borne insect pests (e.g. Ground Pearl, African Black Beetle).
- Researched and Formulated in Australia.
- Available in 1L and 5L pack sizes.
Scarlet Trio insecticide Label and Scarlet Trio insecticide SDS.
Scarlet Trio for Ground Pearl control
Ground pearls are relatives of the scale insect, which are common pests of ornamental plants. They excrete a waxy coating that surrounds their body, which makes their control very difficult. This coating protects them against many insecticides that might be effective in their control.
Ground pearls produce one generation per year and overwinter as nymphs in cysts that attach to roots. They become adults in late Spring to mid-Summer1https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/ground-pearls-in-turf.
They are often seen in the soil as a pink to yellowish brown sphere, and range from about 4.3 mm in diameter to the size of a grain of sand2Buss EA. (May 2009). Insect Pest Management on Turfgrass. EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG001 (24 January 2012). (Buss 2008). The exposed mouthparts are used to feed and attach to the roots of plants.
Work at Clemson University shows that nine months post-treatment, products that contain clothianidin (combined with a wetting agent) seem to have some efficacy but do not provide “great” control. So Scarlet Trio gives some effect but it is by no means a “silver bullet”.
Scarlet Trio for Argentine Stem Weevil control
The active clothianidin is what does the grunt work against stem weevil in turf. It is one of the few residual curative products on the market so work’s best when most of the larvae enter the soil. Clothianidin rapidly moves into the leaf tissue as it is both translaminar and systemic.
- Previous research has shown that clothianidin is effective to target the small larvae or third instars3Koppenhöfer, A.M., O.S. Kostromytska and S. Wu. 2018. Pyrethroid-resistance level affects performance of larvicides and adulticides from different classes in populations of Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 111(4):1851-1859 (https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy142)..
- US research shows that Aloft which contains clothianidin and bifenthrin gives between 84 to 95% control 4Vittum, P.J., and , Brocklesby, L.J., FIELD EFFICACY OF TWO NEONICOTINOIDS AGAINST FIRST GENERATION ANNUAL BLUEGRASS WEEVIL, GOLF COURSE FAIRWAY, 2011, Arthropod Management Tests 2012, Vol. 37
Scarlet Trio for Couch Mite Control
Two of the active ingredients in Scarlet trio are effective on both mite eggs and the adults.
Scarlet Trio for African Black Beetle Control
The best time to apply is at peak egg hatch from late September through to mid- November. Due to its high mobility, the water volume is important, so aim to apply the product as close to the soil surface as possible. Ideally apply to wet or dewy turf in 400 to 800 L of water.
