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 sold as a stand-alone product (Arena) and 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 Argentinian scarab and African Black Beetle due to its high soil mobility, long residual activity, superior environmental and operator safety, and also has a wide pest control spectrum.

Clothianidin is classed as a systemic neonicotinoid being taken up by the foliage and roots and further distributed acropetally (upwards in the plant). As an acetylcholine receptor antagonist, it works by binding to the acetylcholine receptor and thus interferes with nerve transmission. Insects are exposed by either contact or ingestion and upon ingestion, the target insect quickly stops feeding which limits further attack.

Clofentezine – Group 10A

Clofentezine is a long-lasting contact miticide. It primarily interferes with cell growth and differentiation during the final stages of embryonic (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 exhibits translaminar movement. It translocates into leaves and remains for several weeks offering long term control of sucking mites. Abamectin blocks the transmission of electrical activity by enhancing the effects of glutamate. As a result of this the insect becomes paralyzed, stops feeding, and dies.

Abamectin also has contact toxicity, but its stomach toxicity is much stronger. 2-3 days after applying 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 Key Features

• Unique, industry first 3-way insecticide mixture;
• Reliable residual performance;
• Possesses both Contact and Systemic activity;
• Broad Spectrum Activity. Registered for the control of 8 insect pests;
• Only insecticide currently registered for the control of Ground Pearl in turf;
• Additional insecticide registered for Couch Fly which currently has limited available control options;
• Multiple modes of action to maximise insect control and spectrum of activity – Group 4A, 10A, and 6;
• 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 attached to roots. They become adults in late spring to mid-summer¹https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/ground-pearls-in-turf.

They are most often seen in the soil as a pink to yellowish brown sphere, ranging 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 containing the active ingredient clothianidin (combined with a wetting agent) seemed to have some efficacy but do not provide “great” control. So Scarlet Trio will give 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 applications are made when most of the larvae are entering the soil. Clothianidin rapidly moves into the leaf tissue as it is both translaminar and systemic.

• Previous research has shown that clothianidin is very effective in targeting 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 containing clothianidin and bifenthrin gives between 84-95% 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 adult stages

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 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 400-800L of water.