The active substance spirotetramat derives from the young chemical class of ketoenoles. Spirotetramat excels through its broad spectrum of activity against sucking insects. These include aphids, thrips, planthoppers, vine lice, mealybugs, whiteflies and scale insects. Its use is most profitable in intensively-managed crops such as vegetables, citrus, pome- and stone-fruits, nuts, grape, hop, potato, tropical fruits, cotton and soybean.
New binding site in metabolism
Movento is particularly effective during the insects’ early developmental phases; larvae are unable to move after ecdysis, and they eventually dry out. But adult insects are also affected insofar as their fertility is reduced. The pests’ typical explosive population growth simply breaks down. „As no other known classes of active substance interfere at this particular point in the insect’s metabolism, spirotetramat can be an important tool for effective resistance management.“ says Karl Muenks, Project Leader for spirotetramat at Bayer CropScience. Farmers and horticulturalists around the world have observed that pest insects often become gradually less sensitive to substances belonging to chemical classes that have been represented on the market for a long time. Trials with Movento have so far failed to find any indication of cross-resistance, even in aphids and whiteflies that are highly resistant to other compounds. Product Manager Emmanuel Salmon advises that in order to preserve the long-term effectiveness of this new class of insecticides, „Movento should, wherever possible, be used in alternation with products from other chemical classes, and on no more than two occasions within a growing season.“ He continues: „Because the conditions vary greatly, we recommend contacting the local Bayer agronomic advisor for advice.“
Integrated Crop Protection with Movento
Spirotetramat also possesses excellent environmental properties as long as the product is used according to label instructions. One of Movento’s greatest benefits is its longevity of action – it can protect a crop from pest infestation for several weeks. Even insects that attack plants after treatment are affected, reducing the total number of applications. Moreover, this innovative insecticide possesses favourable residues and breakdown profiles. Spirotetramat’s ability to meet the high requirements and quality standards of the international food-chain has already been demonstrated – and confirmed by the US Environment Protection Agency, among others. Market introduction has taken place in many countries already, and is imminent in others. “By 2010, Movento will be in use in more than 70 countries.“ Product Manager Salmon is firmly convinced that Movento will soon be gaining considerable market share in fruit and vegetable crops.