New Acelepryn approval opens options for soil pest strategies 

The full approval for Acelepryn is in time for the key chafer white grub application timing in late spring, and to target leatherjackets at the most appropriate timing in the autumn.

The label now covers control of chafer grubs and leatherjackets in sports pitches, golf greens, tees and fairways, golf roughs, racecourses and gallops, bowling greens, airfields, and professional application to commercial and residential lawns, subject to specific restrictions on the percentage of the area being treated.

While Acelepryn had previously been available for several seasons under the restricted constraints of an Emergency Authorisation, the full approval will allow optimum timing of application to best coincide with peak pest activity in specific situations, advocated Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes.

“For leatherjackets, changing climatic weather patterns that influence adult crane fly emergence, and subsequent egg laying, has frequently been occurring later in the season. The full approval for Acelepryn will enable more flexibility in the precise application timing for more effective results against early-stage larvae activity,” he advised.

Reporting of crane fly activity on the Pest Tracker website over recent seasons has identified peak flights of adults can occur right through to mid-October, with optimum application held off until the timing.

“Monitoring of adult activity will be especially useful when Acelepryn is being used in an integrated programme with NemaTrident nematodes, where soil temperature and moisture later in the season is important the predatory nematodes.” Turf managers can now keep Acelepryn in store between seasons for use at the most appropriate timing.

The UK label approval for Acelepryn allows for allows one application per year on permitted surfaces, at a rate of 0.6 litres per hectare subject to specific label. Extensive trials have shown the treatment is recognised to give good control of leatherjackets and chafer at the 1^st and 2^nd instar stages.

Syngenta Turf Business Manager, Sarah Hughes, highlighted the damage caused by soil pests has been of increasing concern over recent seasons.

“Leatherjackets and chafer grubs can cause catastrophic damage to high quality sports surfaces, as well as high risks to players and horses where root damage results in the instability of turf,” she warned. “The issues have been occurring over an extended period with changing climatic conditions.

“The approval for Acelepryn will enable turf managers to develop more effective integrated turf management (ITM) programmes to tackle the severe effects of these pests.”

Sarah added that new Syngenta research on golf courses and fine turf surfaces has investigated measures to refine the application timing, managing aeration practices and irrigation scheduling to maximise control, along with the potential to use Acelepryn in conjunction with effectively targeted NemaTrident beneficial nematode treatments.

The best results with Acelepryn have consistently been achieved from application timing to have product in the soil to target early feeding larvae. Application at water volumes of 500 to 600 l/ha and using the white Syngenta 08 XC Soil Nozzle will ensure better penetration through to the surface. Users are reminded to follow the seven-step plan to optimise results, available to download on the Syngenta website, along with full compliance with the label recommendations.

An on-line turf pest ID guide, to aid the identification of adult stages of key soil pests and target application timing, is also available on the Syngenta Turf website along with a full insight into new developments and practical implications of leatherjacket ITM, control programmes in the On the Horizon podcast. The Greencast Advisory turf blog provides further in season advice and topical tips for timing and application.