Pesticide For Tomato Pinworms

Tomato pinworms, the caterpillar stage of the moth Keiferia lycopersicella, damage tomatoes in warm climates, such as those of Hawaii, California and Texas, and make their way to greenhouses as far north as Pennsylvania.

Types

• You have two avenues of attack in terms of pesticide control with tomato pinworms: biological agents or insectides. Products containing Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as Bt, and spinosad act as biological agents that cause the pinworms to stop feeding and die. Methomyl, esfenvalerate and abamectin act as effective insecticides.

Expert Insight

• Guidelines developed by the University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program recommend an application of 16 fluid oz. per acre of abamectin, 5.8 to 9.6 fluid oz. of esfenvalerate, or 8.0 oz. to 1 lb. of methomyl.

  Methomyl may also be used to control fruitworm, armyworm and cabbage looper.

Considerations

• Mating inhibitors may be equally or more effective as pesticides, according to pest management specialists at Colorado State University. Rings containing pheromones that disrupt mating communication may be attached to tomato stems to suppress pinworm populations without interfering with other natural controls.

  The University of California IPM program recommends 200 to 400 rings per acre.