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Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture
Park NM, Walker JTS, Shaw PW, Wallis DR
July 2009
A report prepared for
ERMA New Zealand
Park NM, Walker JTS Plant & Food Research, Havelock North Shaw PW, Wallis DR Plant & Food Research, Nelson
PFR SPTS No. 2810 PFR Client Report No: 32498 PFR Contract No: 23614
DISCLAIMER
Unless agreed otherwise, The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited does not
give any prediction, warranty or assurance in relation to the accuracy of or fitness for any particular
use or application of, any information or scientific or other result contained in this report. Neither
Plant & Food Research nor any of its employees shall be liable for any cost (including legal costs),
claim, liability, loss, damage, injury or the like, which may be suffered or incurred as a direct or
indirect result of the reliance by any person on any information contained in this report.
This report has been prepared by The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food
Research Ltd (Plant & Food Research), which has its Head Office at 120 Mt
Albert Rd, Mt Albert, AUCKLAND. This report has been approved by:
Nicola Park
Research Scientist/Researcher
Date: 31 July 2009
Philippa Stevens
Group Leader, Bioprotection
Date: 31 July 2009
Contents
Page
Executive Summary........................................................................................ 1
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 2
Methods .......................................................................................................... 2
Sources of Information for the ‘Trends in Pesticide Use in New Zealand:
2004’ Report ............................................................................................. 2
Dichlorvos and Trichlorfon Products Currently Registered in New Zealand
for Horticulture .......................................................................................... 3
Maximum Residue Levels on New Zealand Crops .................................. 7
Quarantine Requirements for Export Crops............................................. 9
Pesticide Resistance Management ........................................................ 10
Assessment of Control Options.............................................................. 11
Results and Discussion ................................................................................ 12
Persimmons............................................................................................ 12
Passionfruit............................................................................................. 14
Tamarillos ............................................................................................... 15
Berryfruits ............................................................................................... 17
Ornamentals and Cut Flower Production ............................................... 17
Glasshouse Vegetable Production ......................................................... 18
Mushrooms............................................................................................. 18
Field Vegetables..................................................................................... 19
Asparagus .............................................................................................. 19
Pasture and Cereals............................................................................... 20
Clover Seed and Vegetable Seed Production........................................ 20
Turf ......................................................................................................... 20
Fruit fly Surveillance Programme ........................................................... 21
Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................ 22
References ................................................................................................... 26
Acknowledgements ...................................................................................... 28
Appendices ................................................................................................... 29
Appendix 1. Insecticide use in horticulture............................................. 29
Appendix 2. CODEX Maximum Residue Level (MRL) 2009 for dichlorvos
and trichlorfon......................................................................................... 30
Appendix 3. Summary of product application methods, label rates and use
................................................................................................................ 31
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 1
Executive Summary
Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture
Report to ERMA New Zealand
Park NM, Walker JTS, Shaw PW, Wallis DR. July 2009
ERMA New Zealand (Environmental Risk Management Authority) may perform
reassessments on substances for which there is evidence that the risks may not be
adequately managed by existing controls. The information in this report will be available for
inclusion in the ERMA New Zealand reassessment application of dichlorvos (CAS number
62-73-7) and trichlorfon (CAS number 52-68-6) being prepared by ERMA New Zealand for
public consultation.
Potential user sectors of dichlorvos and trichlorfon were identified from product label
registrations and results of the survey reported in Trends in Pesticide use in New Zealand
(2004). Scientific and technical experts working on each of the crops were contacted to
assess current use patterns, alternative pest control methods and any other crops to which
dichlorvos or trichlorfon might be applied. A national literature search was used to assist in
identifying and validating issues and likely solutions.
Trichlorfon (sold as TrifonTM
) is a broad-spectrum organophosphate that is registered for use
on a range of field crops and pasture. Little TrifonTM
is used in New Zealand with only some
minor use for the control of porina in Southland pasture and possibly in turf management.
As a result of its low level of use, it is likely TrifonTM
will be voluntarily withdrawn from market.
Dichlorvos is an inexpensive but effective broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide
registered for use on a wide range of horticultural crops in New Zealand. The main
horticultural sectors currently using dichlorvos are cut flowers particularly orchid production,
glasshouse vegetables, field vegetables, persimmon, tamarillo, passionfruit, berryfruit,
postharvest fumigation of asparagus and it is used in fruit fly surveillance traps. However,
there is also occasional use on other crops, such as vegetable seed production and
ornamentals, and potential use in grain and food storage silos and warehouses.
Dichlorvos has superior efficacy across a wide range of pests, proven cost effectiveness,
excellent penetration (semi-fumigant action) and rapid knockdown. Its short residual effect
means it can be used close to harvest, while its broad-spectrum activity provides a useful
option when growers are faced with new pests or unexpected or late season pest build-ups.
These properties also make it ideal for pre-harvest and postharvest disinfestation where
needed to meet quarantine regulations. The unique properties associated with dichlorvos
means most of its uses are for specific purposes for which there are few if any alternatives.
For further information please contact:
Nicola Park or Jim Walker
The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd
Plant & Food Research Hawke’s Bay
Private Bag 1401
Havelock North
Hastings 4157
NEW ZEALAND
Tel: +64-6-975 8880
Fax: +64-6-975 8881
Email [email protected]
Email [email protected]
Page 2 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Introduction
ERMA New Zealand (Environmental Risk Management Authority) may perform
reassessments on substances for which there is evidence that the risks may not be
adequately managed by the existing controls. In September 2008, a Committee of the
Authority decided there were grounds for the reassessment of dichlorvos and its
formulations and trichlorfos and its formulations (ERMA NZ 2008). The information in this
report will be available for inclusion in the ERMA New Zealand reassessment application.
Methods
In 2004, a survey was undertaken to provide up-to-date data on pesticide use in New
Zealand: outcomes were reported in Trends in Pesticide Use in New Zealand: 2004
(Manktelow et al. 2005). ERMA New Zealand contacted some authors of the pesticide
trends report to undertake an assessment of the current use of dichlorvos and trichlorfon in
horticulture. The scope was to identify which horticulture sectors currently use dichlorvos
and trichlorfon, what were the likely impacts on pest management for those sectors if these
agrichemicals were no longer available, and to identify if there were other pest control
options for these sectors to replace dichlorvos and trichlorfon.
To identify which sectors were using dichlorvos and trichlorfon, a list was drawn up of
sectors that were identified as dichlorvos and trichlorfon users in the Manktelow et al. (2005)
report and of crops that were covered by the label claims of products registered for use in
New Zealand containing the active ingredients dichlorvos or trichlorfon. Scientific and
technical experts working on each of the crops were contacted to assess current use
patterns for dichlorvos and trichlorfon and to identify alternative pest control methods. They
were also asked if they knew of any other crops to which dichlorvos and trichlorfon might be
applied. A national and international literature search was used to assist in identifying and
validating issues and likely solutions.
Sources of Information for the ‘Trends in Pesticide Use in New Zealand: 2004’ Report
The New Zealand Association for Animal Health and Crop Protection (AGCARM) was the
principal source of information for the national sales data presented in the ‘Trends in
Pesticide Use in New Zealand: 2004’ report. Participants in the AGCARM survey provided
voluntary annual data on sales of pesticides by kilograms of active ingredient (a.i.), with data
grouped into various categories (Manktelow et al. 2005).
While the AGCARM data represented the most comprehensive survey of pesticide sales in
New Zealand, the data did not allow specific uses to be determined. Specific use patterns
were obtained directly from sectors where possible, but there were some significant uses
that could not be covered because of inability to collect data. Key omissions relating to
pesticide use were in urban and recreational areas and for minor crops, where few if any
pesticides have label claims and crop-specific data were generally not available.
Unfortunately, the pesticide classification system used by AGCARM differs from the Food
and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) grouping, which means the data are not consistent with
international reporting. Other sources of national pesticide use included a summary of sales
values compiled by a market analysis company AC Nielsen Ltd (a survey discontinued in
2002) and Statistics New Zealand, which collects data on quantities of pesticide imported
from New Zealand Customs Service records, noting that these data do not include New
Zealand-manufactured product (Manktelow et al. 2005).
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 3
To address some of the inconsistencies and omissions in the available national pesticide
use data, information was also gathered on the quantities of pesticides (insecticides,
fungicides, herbicides and plant growth regulators) used in 69 sectors within the horticultural,
arable, forestry and pastoral industries. The data were collected through various means
including industry spray diary databases, published information and personal
communications from either scientists/consultants closely involved with a sector, or sector
contacts. Pesticide use in the different sectors was then estimated relative to the known
land areas of each sector. Estimates for insecticide use in New Zealand are shown in
Appendix 1 (Manktelow et al. 2005).
Of the data sources used in the ‘Trends in Pesticide Use in New Zealand: 2004’ report, only
the data from the sectors grouped the data down to an active ingredient (a.i) level. From the
pesticide use estimates of the sectors in 2004, six sector groups were identified as users of
dichlorvos. These sectors were blueberry, tamarillo, passionfruit, persimmon, asparagus
and nerines/peonies/Sandersonia (Table 1). No use of trichlorfon was reported (Manktelow
et al. 2005).
Table 1. 2004 sector-based dichlorvos use estimates in New Zealand (Manktelow et al. 2005).
Sector
Area
(total
national ha)
Low use total
tonnes a.i/year
(national)
High use total
tonnes a.i/year
(national)
Asparagus 2015 0.02 0.02
Blueberries 430 0.17 0.17
Nerines/Paeonies/
Sandersonia 50 0.01 0.01
Passionfruit 70 0.07 0.42
Persimmons 282 0.32 1.29
Tamarillos 270 0.54 2.16
Dichlorvos and Trichlorfon Products Currently Registered in New Zealand for Horticulture
There are four products containing the active ingredient dichlorvos and one product
containing trichlorfon currently registered in New Zealand shown on the New Zealand and
Food Safety Authority Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Database
(NZFSA 2009). Dichlorvos is a volatile organophosphate insecticide and trichlorfon is also
an organophosphate insecticide. The product names and registration details are listed in
Table 2. The active ingredient content, formulation type and approximate retail price of each
of the products are listed in Table 3. Typical use patterns and application methods are
summarised in Appendix 3.
Page 4 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Table 2. Registered products in New Zealand containing dichlorvos or trichlorfon (NZFSA
2009).
Product
Name
Registration
Number
Active
Ingredient Registrant
Registration
Date
NuvosTM
P001132 dichlorvos Orion Crop Protection Ltd 14 March
1968
Divap® P006080 dichlorvos United Phosphorous Ltd.
Distributed by Adria New
Zealand Ltd
7 June 2002
ArmourCrop-
Insecticide
(DDVP)
P005877 dichlorvos BOC Limited 31 January
2002
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
P007362 dichlorvos Biosecurity New Zealand.
Manufactured by
Agrisense-BCS Ltd, United
Kingdom
12 October
2005
TrifonTM
P004686 trichlorfon Tapuae Partnership.
Manufactured by Zelam Ltd
(formerly Taranaki NuChem
Limited) New Zealand
1 June 1994
Table 3. Active ingredient content, formulation type and retail cost of dichlorvos and trichlorfon products (NZFSA 2009 and product labels).
Product Name Active
Ingredient
Active
Ingredient
Content
Formulation
Type
Container
Size Retail Price
NuvosTM
dichlorvos 1000
g/litre
emulsifiable
concentrate
1 litre
5 litre
$75.79 + GST
$309.10 + GST
Divap® dichlorvos 1140
g/litre
emulsifiable
concentrate
5 litre $250 + GST
ArmourCrop-
Insecticide
(DDVP)
Insectigas®
dichlorvos 50 g/kg aerosol 7 kg and
35 kg net
7kg $187.49 +
GST
$19.20 + GST
cylinder deposit
Handgun
$529.98 + GST
to purchase
Handgun $55.72
+ GST per
month
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
dichlorvos 188 g/kg vapour
releasing
strip
5 strips
each 2.6
g
Not available for
retail sale.
TrifonTM
trichlorfon 500 g/litre emulsifiable
concentrate
5 litre $110 + GST
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 5
Dichlorvos and trichlorfon crop registrations and product rates
The products containing dichlorvos and trichlorfon registered for use in New Zealand
horticulture are registered for use on a wide range of crops and insect pests, the details of
which are shown in Table 4 for ArmourCrop-Insecticide (DDVP), Insectigas® and DDVP
Insecticide Strips, Table 5 for NuvosTM and Divap®, and Table 6 for TrifonTM. Dichlorvos also
has public health uses for the indoor and outdoor control of pests such as flies, cockroaches,
ants and food storage pests such as flour beetles and grain weevils. However, this report
will focus on the horticultural uses of dichlorvos only.
According to their product labels, all trichlorfon and dichlorvos products must be tracked and
must be under the control of a registered Approved Handler as specified in the Hazardous
Substances and New Organisms Act 2001. An Approved Handler is a person who is
competent and certified to handle hazardous substances and who is aware of their legal
obligations with respect to the purchase, transport, safe use, storage and appropriate
disposal agrichemicals (ERMA NZ 2004).
Table 4. ArmourCrop-Insecticide (DDVP) and DDVP Insecticide Strip crop registrations and product rates (NZFSA 2009, BOC 2007, BOC 2009).
Product
Horticultural
Crop
Recommended
Use
Insect Pest Product Rate and
application method
ArmourCrop-
Insecticide
(DDVP)
Greenhouse
Capsicum
Aphids 2.5 g/m2 of greenhouse
volume applied as a fog
through a dose system
designed and built by BOC
Ltd for each greenhouse
Insectigas® Stored product
facilities (e.g.
warehouses,
silos, farm
machinery and
storage bins)
Stored products moths
and flour beetles,
flying and crawling
insects
70 second spray (200 g) into
air space
Insectigas® Greenhouse Aphids, spider mites,
whiteflies, thrips and
caterpillars
200 g spray into air space.
Portable cylinders connected
to fixed pipework in
greenhouse or fumigation
chamber, connected to hand
held spray guns or a release
timer on top of the cylinder.
No mixing of concentrate
required.
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
Fruit fly
surveillance
programme
For use only by
approved operators for
the fruit fly surveillance
programme
One 2.6-g strip in the base of
purpose-designed fruit fly trap
Page 6 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Table 5. NuvosTM
and Divap® crop registrations (Novachem 2009 and NZFSA 2009).
Horticultural
Crop Regn Insect Pest
Product
Rates for
Nuvos
Product
Rates for
Divap
Water Rates from
Product Label
Clover seed
crops
Clover case
bearer moths
150-220 ml/ha 130-190 ml/ha 110-170 litres water
Brassica Aphids,
caterpillars
350-750 ml/ha 300-650 ml/ha 220-450 litres
water/ha
Cereals Aphids,
caterpillars
350-750 ml/ha 300-650 ml/ha 220-450 litres
water/ha
Vegetables Aphids,
caterpillars,
mites
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100
litres
440-700 ml/ha
or
50 ml/100
litres
Boom spray: 220-
240 litres water/ha
Mist blower: 60
litres water/ha
Handgun: apply to
runoff
Tamarillo Aphids,
caterpillar,
whitefly
100 ml/100
litres
90 ml/100
litres
Not stated
Passionfruit Aphids,
caterpillar,
whitefly
100 ml/100
litres
90 ml/100
litres
Not stated
Persimmon Caterpillars
Latania scale
100 ml/100
litres
90 ml/100
litres
Not stated
Berryfruit Aphids,
caterpillars,
mites
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100
litres
440-700 ml/ha
or
50 ml/100
litres
Boom spray: 220-
240 litres water/ha
Mist blower: 60
litres water/ha
Handgun: apply to
runoff
Ornamentals Aphids,
caterpillars,
mites
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100
litres
440-700 ml/ha
or
50 ml/100
litres
Boom spray: 220-
240 litres water/ha
Mist blower: 60
litres water/ha
Handgun: apply to
runoff
Glasshouses Aphids, mites,
whiteflies, thrips,
phorid & scarid
flies, caterpillars
5 ml/litre/100
metres3 or 25
ml/ 5 litres
4 ml/litre/100
metres3 or 20
ml/ 5 litres
Apply as a fog
Mushroom
houses
Aphids, mites,
whiteflies, thrips,
phorid & scarid
flies, caterpillars
5 ml/litre/100
metres3 or 25
ml/ 5 litres
4 ml/litre/100
metres3 or 20
ml/ 5 litres
Apply as a fog
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 7
Table 6. TrifonTM
crop registration and product rates (Novachem 2009 and NZFSA 2009).
Horticultural
Crop
Registration
Insect Pest Product Rates
Pasture Army caterpillar
Porina
1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha for Army Caterpillar
2.1 – 2.4 litres/ha for Porina
Grass Seed Army caterpillar 1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha
Cereal Army caterpillar 1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha
Crops Army caterpillar 1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha
Maize Corn earworm 1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha
Sweetcorn Corn earworm 1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha
Brassica
Cutworm
Diamond-back
Moth
White Butterfly
2.4 – 3.6 litres/ha for Cutworm
1.8 – 2.4 litres/ha for Diamond-back Moth
and White Butterfly
Tomatoes
Cutworm
Green Vegetable
Bug
Tomato Fruit Worm
2.4 – 3.6 litres/ha
Beans Green Vegetable
Bug 2.4 – 3.6 litres/ha
While outside the scope of this report, it is noted that there may be a renewed interest in the
only other trichlorfon registered product in New Zealand, Neguvon® 98%. Neguvon® is a
veterinary product registered for the control of mites on chickens and pigs. Malathion 50EC
has been used for the control of mites on chickens; however, because of the recent
voluntary withdrawal of Malathion from the New Zealand market, there may be some interest
in using Neguvon® as an alternate (pers. comm.)
Maximum Residue Levels on New Zealand Crops
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides are established in most countries to
safeguard consumer health and to promote Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in the use of
agricultural compounds. MRLs vary from country to country depending on the pesticides
available, the crops being treated and the way the pesticides are used. Food producers must
comply with the MRLs of the countries they export to as a condition of market access
(NZFSA 2008).
The New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards
2008 are set by the NZFSA. Schedule 1 of the standard sets the maximum residue limits
(MRL) of agricultural compounds that are permitted in New Zealand food. If the compound
is not specified in the schedule, or not specified in relation to the food type or class in
question, residues must not exceed a default value of 0.1 mg/kg. Imported food must also
comply with the standard or contain residues of agricultural compounds no greater than the
MRLs specified for that food in the current edition of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius
Page 8 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Commission publication Pesticide Residues in Food (NZFSA 2008). The Codex
Alimentarius Commission was created in 1963 by FAO and the World Health Organisation
(WHO) to develop food standards, guidelines and related texts such as codes of practice
under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (CODEX 2009). There are no
CODEX MRLs set for trichlorfon and for horticultural crops there are CODEX MRLs only set
for cereals and grains and mushrooms (Appendix 2).
To ensure MRLs are met, withholding periods are listed on product labels. A withholding
period (also known as pre-harvest interval) is the time required between the final application
of that product and harvest, to ensure spray residues will have decayed sufficiently to enable
MRLs to be met. This period is usually expressed as days from harvest, or can be a set
date or crop growth stage in the season, and often varies between crops. Export crop pre-
harvest intervals often differ from New Zealand pre-harvest intervals, as the export crop
must meet importing country and final customer MRL standards.
New Zealand dichlorvos MRLs are specified for fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains with
these designations shown in Table 7. There are no MRLs for clover seed crops,
ornamentals or flower production as these are not food crops, but as for all crops there is a
re-entry period. There are no MRLs set in New Zealand for trichlorfon with the exception of
milk (0.05 mg/kg) and sugarbeet (0.05 mg/kg); therefore, trichlorfon residues must not
exceed the default of 0.1 mg/kg for all other crops.
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 9
Table 7. Dichlorvos maximum residue limits (MRLs) and pre-harvest intervals in New Zealand and corresponding CODEX MRLs for the same crops.
Crop
New Zealand MRL
(mg/kg)
(NZFSA 2008)
CODEX MRL
(mg/kg) (CODEX
2009)
New Zealand Pre-
Harvest Intervals
(NOVACHEM 2009)
Clover seed
crops Not applicable
1 Not applicable
1
Brassica Vegetables - 2 3 days
Cereals Cereals & grains - 2 Cereals & grains - 5 3 days
Vegetables
(except
asparagus)
Vegetables - 2 3 days
Asparagus Vegetables - 2 1 day
Tamarillo Fruits - 2 7 days
Passionfruit Fruits - 2 7 days
Persimmon Fruits - 2 2 days
Strawberry Fruits - 2 2 days
Berryfruit
(except
strawberry)
Fruits - 2 3 days
Ornamentals Not applicable1 Not applicable
1
Glasshouse
vegetables Vegetables - 2 3 days
Glasshouse
flowers Not applicable
1 Not applicable
1
Mushrooms Vegetables - 2 Mushroom – 0.5 3 days
Greenhouse
Capsicum Vegetables - 2 3 days
1Not applicable as not a food crop
MRLs and corresponding pre-harvest intervals must be considered when assessing
alternative chemical control options. To be most effective, chemical applications need to be
timed to correlate with the pest phenology and developmental stage. Alternate products
must be available for use during this same period.
Quarantine Requirements for Export Crops
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is the division of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
charged with leadership of the New Zealand biosecurity system. It encompasses facilitating
international trade, protecting the health of New Zealanders and ensuring the welfare of our
environment, flora and fauna, marine life and Maori resources. An importing country’s
phytosanitary requirements (ICPR) standard is a MAF Biosecurity Authority document that
specifies an importing country's phytosanitary requirements (MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
2009).
Page 10 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Pesticide Resistance Management
The resistance of pests to pesticides is where the pest population has changed genetically
so that it is less susceptible or sensitive to a pesticide or class of pesticides. This means a
higher dose of that pesticide is now required to kill all individuals of the pest population or
that the highest practical dose will not kill all the pests (Martin et al. (eds) 2005).
Prevention and management of insecticide and miticide resistance is based on two
principles:
� Preventing resistance to pesticides is a much better approach than trying to manage
resistance once control failures occur
� If the insect or mite population is not exposed to the pesticide, the proportion of
resistance within a population will decline to a level where at least one application of
pesticide per season will give control of the pest (Martin et al. (eds) 2005).
The key components of insecticide and miticide resistance prevention and management
strategies are:
� Maximise use of non-pesticide controls
� Only apply pesticides when their use can be justified
� Time pesticide applications for when they are most effective and target applications to
the specific parts of the crop where they will be most effective
� Use good application technique and apply when environmental conditions are favourable
� Use only one member of a chemical group of pesticides no more than the specified
maximum number of times per year or growing season
� Rotate chemical groups of pesticides (Martin et al. (eds) 2005).
Pesticide resistance prevention and management strategies (insecticide and miticide) for
New Zealand crops have been developed for these ‘at risk’ individual pest species:
� Diamond back moth
� Tomato fruitworm
� Spider mite
� Leafroller
� Thrips
� Whitefly
� Melon aphid
� Green peach aphid
� Lettuce aphid
� Leafhopper
� Mealybug
The details of these individual strategies are discussed, where relevant, in the context of
each crop.
Non-chemical control techniques
Non-chemical control options include:
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 11
� Quarantine (keeping the pest off the property and out of the country)
� Plant resistance
� Agronomic and cultural techniques
� Biological control and methods to enhance biological control e.g. use of predator insects,
insect specific viruses
� pheromone mating disruption (Martin et al. (eds) 2005).
Assessment of Control Options
There are a number of factors that were considered when assessing dichlorvos and
trichlorfon current use and alternative pest control options. These were:
� Products already registered in New Zealand for that crop
� Products already registered for use in New Zealand for control of that pest
� Products allowed by export industries
� Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in New Zealand and key export markets
� Quarantine requirements for export crops
� Non-chemical (cultural) control options
� Agrichemical Resistance Management Guidelines
� Compatibility with integrated pest management principles, which gives preference to
pest-specific chemistry such as insect growth regulators and other selective insecticides
that are not toxic or disruptive to beneficial insects.
Page 12 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Results and Discussion
Persimmons
The New Zealand persimmon industry comprises approximately 88 growers, which accounts
for a planted production area of 180 hectares. The 2008 crop volume was 3,000 tonne
valued at NZ$1 million on the domestic market and NZ$0.5 million export value (Plant &
Food Research 2008). The main growing regions are Auckland/Northland and Gisborne.
The key harvest period is April to June (MAF 2006). The New Zealand persimmon crop is
almost entirely exported, with the principal market being Asia (Persimmon Industry Council
2001).
Industry programme
In the 1980s, persimmon industry leaders recognised that a calendar spraying approach to
managing pests was not sustainable. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles
and with funding assistance for research and programme development from AGMARDT and
the Ministry for the Environment, an IPM system and manual was developed for persimmon
growers (Persimmon Industry Council 2001).
IPM involves the use of chemical, biological and cultural practices to manage pests,
therefore not relying solely on one method of control, and where possible using chemicals
that only target specific pests, enabling beneficial insects to contribute to pest control.
The Green & Gold® IPM system aims to enable persimmon growers to:
� Produce crops with minimal pesticide residues while still meeting market phytosanitary
requirements
� Meet customer requirements for environmentally responsible production (Persimmon
Industry Council 2001).
Pest control
There have been a wide range of insects and mites recorded on persimmon in New Zealand.
These insects can be categorised as major pests (damaging fruit), minor pests (indirect
damage by weakening trees therefore reducing yields), and passenger pests (contaminating
fruit). Any of these three categories of pest has the potential to cause serious biosecurity
problems if found on export fruit.
The major pests of persimmon are:
� Mealybugs – most commonly the longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus)
� Leafroller – most commonly the brown-headed leafroller (Ctenopseustis obliquana) in
Gisborne and the lightbrown apple moth (Epiphyas postvittana) elsewhere
� Stathmopoda species – garden featherfoot (Stathmopoda skelloni)
� Armoured scales – the most serious is latania scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae)
� Greenhouse thrips – Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
� Tydeid mites – Orthotydeus californicus and O. caudatus
� Persimmon bud mite – Aceria diospyri.
Passenger pests include thrips (Nesothrips propinquus), oribatid mites, psocids (also known as booklice), spiders and slaters. There are also a number of minor pests (Persimmon Industry Council 2001).
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 13
Adequate late season pest control has been an ongoing problem since persimmon exports
from New Zealand started. Research by Prestidge et al. (1989) described one of the major
production barriers limiting exports as pre-harvest insect contamination of fruit. As the fruit
grows, the sepal flattens, effectively forming an umbrella that can cover and protect pests.
Insects and mites hide under fruit sepals and in calyx cracks, creating a quarantine problem
to importing countries. Residue tests completed in the late 1980s meant dichlorvos became
the preferred agrichemical pre-harvest, as it was virtually non-residual, with residues
declining below 0.01 mg/kg in 4 days (Prestidge et al. 1989). Earlier research by Steven &
Sale (1985) highlighted the same issues. The incidence of “passenger” mites (oribatid or
tydeid) was high. They were not controlled by chlorpyrifos, diazinon or carbaryl and were
difficult to eliminate with postharvest fumigation (Steven & Sale 1985). Synthetic pyrethroids
and pyrethrum are alternatives that have been tried but are not very effective (D Steven,
pers. comm.).
The persimmon industry currently relies on Attack® (active ingredients permethrin and
pirimiphos-methyl) (28%) and chlorpyrifos (20%), which together account for nearly 50% of
all insecticide applications. Withdrawal of Attack® from the New Zealand Kiwifruit Crop
Protection Programme is likely to result in Attack® being voluntarily withdrawn from sale in
New Zealand because of lack of sales (MAF 2009).
The persimmon industry Green & Gold® IPM system became available to growers in 2001.
In 2007, a commercial evaluation of the Green & Gold persimmon crop protection
programme was made in Gisborne, funded by the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries
(MAF) Sustainable Farming Fund. The main findings were that the programme was unable
to achieve pest control comparable with conventional blocks. Key pests such as leafroller
and mealybug should be able to be controlled by more selective insecticides, but there were
a concerning number of contaminants (e.g. spiders, booklice and woodlice) on conventional
and IPM programme fruit, which created a quarantine issue for export fruit (MAF 2009).
Dichlorvos use and alternatives
The Green & Gold® Manual lists the control options for each pest. Dichlorvos is
recommended as a pre-harvest ‘clean-up’ spray for the control of all pests and passenger
pests. Depending on the length of the harvest period, more than one spray may be required.
Product label rates are followed. Persimmons are not an easy crop to spray and spray
coverage is critical to obtain good control. Applications are with an air-blast sprayer using
high volume spraying with water rates at 1500 to 2000 litres per hectare, with the higher
rates at full canopy (Persimmon Industry Council 2001).
Good orchard hygiene will reduce possible sources of pests including passenger pests.
These cultural practices include reducing neighbouring known plant hosts, keeping shelter
belts trimmed, and preventing weeds from growing up into the persimmon trees and keeping
a grass-dominated mown sward in the orchard. In addition, sticky bands on tree trucks will
assist in preventing pests moving up into the tree canopy, and removing lichens by water
blasting the trees will also discourage passenger pests. However, while all these practices
should be followed as good orchard practice with an aim of preventing significant pest
infestations from establishing, good hygiene alone will only contribute to minimal reductions
in spraying (Persimmon Industry Council 2001).
Postharvest disinfestation methods are expensive and there are fruit damage risks Cold
treatment disinfestation together with modified atmosphere (low oxygen, high carbon
dioxide) treatments have shown that cold rather than gas atmosphere was the key
component contributing to successful lightbrown apple moth larvae mortality. Mealybugs
were more sensitive to cold than leafrollers. Ideally, temperatures of 0.8-10C are required for
6-8 weeks to achieve mortality. The risk of fruit phytotoxicity (fruit damage) increases beyond
this coolstorage interval. Most commercial coolstores operate at higher temperatures of
approximately 1 - 20C. In addition, an extended period of on shore coolstorage will be
Page 14 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
required as seafreight, which is the main method of shipment to the important Australian
market, only takes approximately two weeks. Extended coolstorage incurs extra costs (A
Woolf, I Turk, pers. comm.)
Hot water treatment has also been tested for disinfestation of insects and mites on
persimmons. Treatment at a water temperature of 51°C for 20 minutes is effective against
leafrollers and mealybugs. This method requires expensive equipment and operating costs
and there is a risk that a proportion of fruit (5-10%) will be damaged through skin cracking (A
Woolf, pers. comm.).
In conclusion, the registration and use of more selective insecticides will control key pests
such as leafroller and mealybugs. Dichlorvos is not used or required to control these pests.
However, dichlorvos is used extensively pre-harvest for the control of passenger pests such
as oribatid mites. It has a short pre-harvest interval, enabling it to be used close to harvest
as a cleanup spray. It is effective against a wide range of insects and its fumigant activity
provides control into calyx cracks and under sepals that cannot be achieved through the use
of other chemical formulations and spray techniques. With 90% of the persimmon crop
exported, it is important these passenger pests are controlled, given the strict quarantine
requirements of some markets. Postharvest treatments such as extended coolstorage,
modified atmosphere and hot water treatment are not economically viable options, do not fit
with current fruit transport and handling systems, and there are fruit damage risks. There
are no current alternatives that are effective in controlling this range of pests and that have
the unique mode of action provided by dichlorvos.
Passionfruit
The New Zealand passionfruit crop accounts for a production area of 47 hectares, which
produced 240 tonnes of crop, valued at NZ$0.6 million in export earnings in 2007
(HortResearch 2007). The main growing regions are Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Northland
and the harvest period is from February to May (MAF 2006).
The crop is sprayed with a knapsack or framework sprayer (not airblast as the fruit are
delicate and easily knocked off the vines) at water rates of 1000 l/ha. There is low pest
pressure. The key pests are Fuller’s rose weevil, which feed on the growing tips, chewing
insects at the start of the season, and thrips, which get under the skin causing ‘pimpling’ on
the skin surface (K Sandom, pers. comm.). Thrips damage tends to escalate from late
December, resulting in a downgrading of the crop from export grade. Thrips are not a
problem every year but are more prevalent in a hot dry season; therefore, an insecticide is
not always required for thrip control. When thrips are present, a dichlorvos application is
made at label rates, followed by a second application seven to 10 days later. Some growers
make additional applications for control of other insect pests with use patterns varying
between seasons (various growers’ feedback).
Dichlorvos and diazinon are the only two insecticides specifically registered for use on
passionfruit (Table 8). Until recently, the industry also used maldison (Malathion 50 EC), for
which MRLs exist in the USA but in June 2009 this product was voluntarily withdrawn from
the New Zealand market by the distributor Nufarm Ltd. The main export market is USA.
There is no MRL for diazinon or dichlorvos into this market; however, because of its short
residual effect dichlorvos is the only insecticide currently available for thrip control for
passionfruit for the USA market (various growers’ feedback).
Table 9 lists spinosad as one potential insecticide that will control thrips. There is an MRL
set for spinosad on passionfruit in the USA; however, spinosad is not registered for use on
passionfruit in New Zealand.
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 15
Passionfruit is a minor crop, whose growers are unable to fund the necessary trials to
provide efficacy, crop safety and residue data to support a label claim for spinosad or any
other potential alternative. Before de-registering dichlorvos, consideration must be given to
identifying a pathway to provide the required efficacy, crop safety and residue data to
support a label claim, and sufficient time to develop the technical knowledge and funding to
enable the identification and development of alternative control measures.
Table 8. Insecticides registered for use on passionfruit in New Zealand (Novachem 2009).
Chemical Group Active
Ingredient
Registered Products Target Pest
Organophosphate diazinon DewTM
600, Diazinon
50W, Diazinon EC,
Diazinon 800, Diazinon
800 EC, Diazonyl® 60EC,
DigrubTM
, Hortcare
Diazinon 500EW
Aphids, caterpillars,
whitefly, grass grub beetle
Organophosphate dichlorvos Nuvos®, DivapTM
Aphids, caterpillars,
whitefly
Table 9. Potential alternative active ingredients to dichlorvos for thrips control but not registered or trialled on passionfruit.
Chemical Group Active
Ingredient
Product1 Current Registration in
New Zealand1
and points of interest
Macrocyclic
lactone Spinosad
Success®
Naturalyte®,
Yates Success®
Naturalyte®
Registered on summerfruit
for leafroller, thrips and
cherry slug. MRL registered
in the USA for passionfruit
1Novachem 2009
MRL = maximum residue limit
Tamarillos
The commercial tamarillo industry comprises 175 growers, with a planted area of 194ha. The
740-tonne crop has a domestic sales value of NZ$1.4 million and export value of NZ$1.1
million (Plant & Food Research 2008). The main growing areas are Northland, Auckland,
Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki with smaller plantings in Levin, Nelson and Karamea: the
key harvest period is June to August (MAF 2006, Watson 2009).
The main export market is Australia. However, this market was closed to tamarillo and all
other solanaceaous crops in June 2008 as a result of the establishment of tomato/potato
psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) in New Zealand. Tomato/potato psyllid is the vector for a new
species of bacterial plant disease Candidatus spp. (Horticulture NZ 2008, Watson 2009).
The industry has been moving towards lower use of insecticides and use of insecticides that
only target specific insect pests. Insecticides currently registered for use on tamarillos are
listed in Table 10. However, existing spray programmes have not controlled tomato/potato
psyllid infestations. Trials of possible alternative products have found Calypso® (thiacloprid),
Chess® (pymetrozine), SuccessTM
NaturalyteTM
, Applaud® (buprofezin), Oberon®
Page 16 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
(spiromesifen) and Coragen® (chlorantraniliprole) do not control tomato/potato psyllid at
label rates. Contact insecticides such as Nuvos® (dichlorvos), Decis® Forte (deltamethrin)
and Avid® (abamectin) have shown greater control (Watson 2009).
Dichlorvos (Nuvos®) is used by the tamarillo industry. Frequency of dichlorvos use by the
tamarillo industry varies but common practice is twice a season. Nuvos® has a short pre-
harvest interval of seven days for local and export fruit. The only other contact insecticide
currently registered on tamarillo has a long pre-harvest interval of 60 days on export fruit, but
seven days on fruit destined for the local market. With the recent establishment of
tomato/potato psyllid, dichlorvos usage will have increased during the 2009 season, as the
dichlorvos products Nuvos® and DivapTM
are the only contact insecticides available for
export production (C Watson, pers. comm.).
In 2009, tomato/potato psyllid infestation caused up to 60% tree death, devastating some
crops (C Watson, pers. comm.). This is an industry that currently needs all options available
to it to be able to produce a commercial tamarillo crop. Dichlorvos is the only registered
insecticide option currently found to be effective for tomato/potato psyllid control.
Table 10. Insecticides registered for use on tamarillo in New Zealand (Novachem 2009).
Chemical Group Active
Ingredient
Registered Products1 Target Pest
Carbamate carbaryl Carbaryl 50F, Sevin®
Flo
Caterpillar, grass grub
beetle, leafroller
Organophosphate acephate Lancer® 750 DF,
Orthene® WSG
Aphids, caterpillars, grass
grub beetle
Organophosphate diazinon DewTM
500, Diazinon
50W, Diazinon EC,
Diazinon 800, Diazinon
800 EC, Diazonyl®
60EC, DigrubTM
,
Diazol®, Hortcare
Diazinon 500EW
Aphids, caterpillars,
whitefly, grass grub beetle
Organophosphate dichlorvos Nuvos®, DivapTM
Aphids, caterpillars,
whitefly. Some control of
tomato/potato psyllid.
Short pre-harvest interval
of 7 days for local and
export.
Pyridine
azomethine
pymetrozine Chess® WG Aphids, whitefly. Does
not control tomato/potato
psyllid
Synthetic pyrethroid deltamethrin Decis® Forte,
BallisticTM
, Deltaphar®
25 EC
Whitefly, grass grub.
Some control of
tomato/potato psyllid.
Short pre-harvest interval
of 7 days for local but 60
days for export.
Synthetic pyrethroid taufluvalinate Mavrik® Aqua Flo Green peach aphid,
whitefly
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 17
Thiadiazine buprofezin Applaud® 40 SC,
Buprimax, MortarTM
,
Pilan® 25WP,
OvationTM
50 WDG
Whitefly. Does not control
tomato/potato psyllid
1Novachem 2009
Berryfruits
The New Zealand berryfruit industry comprises approximately 360 growers, accounting for a
planted area of 2451ha. The domestic crop is valued at NZ$63 million and NZ$24 million in
export value (Plant & Food Research 2008).
Dichlorvos was not used on blackcurrant, Boysenberry and blueberry export crops in 2009
with the exception of one export blueberry grower who applied dichlorvos for bronze beetle
control. Bronze beetle is becoming more widely recognised as a pest problem on
blueberries. The beetles feed on the developing berries, reducing yields. As pest control
programmes reduce the number of broad-spectrum products applied, beetles such as
bronze beetle become more prevalent. Few products that have the necessary short pre-
harvest interval to protect the developing fruit are effective against bronze beetle (G
Langford, pers. comm.).
Strawberry growers and local market berry growers use dichlorvos mainly for carpophilus
beetle (Carpophilus davidsoni Coleoptera:Nitiludae) control in the North Island (Skelton
Ivory, Hastings, pers. comm.) and small amounts in the South Island for aphid and caterpillar
control (M Ross, pers. comm.). Carpophilus beetle is currently found in the North Island and
Nelson. Insect numbers are greater in hot dry seasons so the need for dichlorvos varies
between seasons from none to approximately three applications. Like bronze beetle in
blueberry, carpophilus beetle is increasing in significance as more persistent
organophosphates are removed from production programmes. A small trial in 2008 in
Hawke’s Bay found mass trapping of carpophilus beetle in lure-and-kill traps was not
effective enough to replace chemical control (P Lo, pers. comm.).
Growers are finding dichlorvos to be effective for carpophilus beetle control and it is likely to
be an effective control option for bronze beetle control on blueberries. Its fumigant action
gives good coverage and its short residual effect means it can be used close to harvest,
while its broad-spectrum activity provides a useful option when growers are faced with
unexpected and late season pest problems.
Ornamentals and Cut Flower Production
The domestic cut flower market is estimated to be worth NZ$60 million. The orchid cut
flower export crop had a value of NZ$22.9 million in 2007. There are over 1200 flower
growers, approximately 400 of which are full time producers (glasshouse and field
production) (HortResearch 2007).
Dichlorvos has some use in ornamental and flower crops but is widely used in cymbidium
orchids. It is used in cymbidium orchids because it is a useful insecticide for the control of
scale insect in IPM programmes. While it is harmful to the adult and juvenile stages of the
two-spotted mite predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Kopperts website (www.koppert.com)
indicates that it is safe to the eggs of this predatory mite. Information from this website also
indicates that the predatory mite can be reintroduced immediately after an application has
been made. Increasing numbers of cymbidium orchid growers are using the predatory mite
for two-spotted mite control, as they are unable to control this pest with the available
miticides (P Workman, pers. comm.).
Page 18 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Mites are a key quarantine pest for export cut flowers. As dichlorvos has a short pre-harvest
interval, wide pest control spectrum and fumigant activity, if mites or other insect pests are
found in a crop, it can be treated then harvested the next day. The flowers can also be
treated postharvest prior to sleeving (J Wilkinson, pers. comm.). The fumigant action is
advantageous as it avoids blooms getting wet during treatment, which can cause disease.
There is also some interest in fumigation, with dichlorvos as an option to meet new
lightbrown apple moth quarantine procedures for cut flowers and foliage to the USA (R
Meinhardt, pers. comm.).
Glasshouse Vegetable Production
Dichlorvos is used fairly extensively in vegetable glasshouse production. It is widely used
because it has a short pre-harvest interval and therefore applications of this product are not
too disruptive to harvesting. Dichlorvos is also used widely because it can be applied
effectively using foggers, as it has fumigant activity. This method of application is much
quicker than applying a wet spray (P Workman, pers. comm.). Dichlorvos is frequently used
as a clean-up treatment for glasshouse crop pests. It is also used strategically in
glasshouses to knock down pests, before re-introduction of bumble bees for pollination of
tomato crops and predator mites for control of two-spotted mites (S McKenney, pers.
comm.). Dichlorvos is widely used in the glasshouse industry for controlling whitefly and
aphids. The key reason for this is that there are no other products available with a fogging
(fumigant) action (M Ross, pers. comm.).
There are no alternative insecticides with these properties of short pre-harvest interval, wide
pest control spectrum and fumigant activity (P Workman, pers. comm.).
As a result of the establishment of tomato/potato psyllid in New Zealand, previously
established integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in greenhouse tomato and
capsicum crops have been severely disrupted, resulting in higher pesticide dependence.
Implications of this are reduced quality of pollination, reduced yield, lower fruit quality and a
risk of pesticide resistance (Thompson 2009). Dichlorvos is listed as one of the insecticides
that can be used for control of tomato/potato psyllid (Horticulture New Zealand 2008).
Mushrooms
There are 11 commercial mushroom growers in New Zealand, comprising a total production
area of 42 hectares. The New Zealand mushroom crop volume is estimated at 8500 tonnes,
valued at NZ$ 41.1 million in domestic sales and fresh exports of $NZ1.5 million (Plant &
Food Research 2008).
Few insecticides are used in mushroom production (Table 11). Where they are, preference
is given to the insect growth regulator Dimilin® (diflubenzuron) for the control of sciarid flies
(Lycoriella spp.). Mushroom growers do not currently use dichlorvos. However, the de-
registration of dichlorvos would leave very few alternative insecticides available (M Speeden,
pers. comm.).
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 19
Table 11. Insecticides registered for use on mushroom in New Zealand (Novachem 2009).
Chemical Group Active Ingredient Registered
Products1
Target Pest
Biological control
agent
Fungus gnat
predator Hypoaspis
(Gaeolealaps)
aculeifer
EntomiteTM
, Hypo-
miteTM
Sciarid flies, thrips,
some nematodes
Biological control
agent
Steinernema feltiae Nemasys® Sciarid flies
Organophosphate dichlorvos Nuvos®, DivapTM
Phorid & sciarid flies,
mites, aphids,
caterpillars, thrips,
whitefly
Phenyl pryrazole fipronil Ascend® Sciarid, cecid &
phorid flies
Substituted benzoyl
phenyl urea (insect
growth regulator)
diflubenzuron Dimilin® 2L, Difuse®
25WP, PorinexTM
SniperTM
Sciarid flies
1Novachem 2009
Field Vegetables
Growers do occasionally use dichlorvos in field vegetable production, in particular, for
periods with particularly bad insect infestation problems. There are other insecticides from
different chemical groups available for pest control, but dichlorvos is useful for a quick
knockdown of high pest populations (C Cowell, S McKinney, pers. comm.).
Asparagus
There are 100 asparagus growers, with a planted area of 871 ha, producing 3136 tonnes
with domestic sales valued at NZ$5.6 million, export sales at NZ$2.5 million and processed
NZ$0.7 million (Plant & Food Research 2008).
Table 12. Insecticides registered for use on asparagus in New Zealand (Novachem 2009).
Chemical Group Active Ingredient Registered
Products1
Target Pest
Synthetic pyrethroid esfenvalerate Sumi-alpha® Garden weevil
Organophosphate dichlorvos Nuvos®, DivapTM
Aphids, caterpillars,
mites, thrips 1Novachem 2009
Fumigation of fresh asparagus with dichlorvos incorporated with a gas propellant product
(Insectigas®) is standard practice for export asparagus (Table 12). The treatment is to
eliminate thrips in particular, which pose a quarantine pest risk to some export markets
(especially Japan). The only alternative is methyl bromide, which has to be used at 23°C,
shortening the shelf life of the asparagus. Dichlorvos has superior efficacy, proven cost
Page 20 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
effectiveness, excellent penetration (semi-fumigant action) and rapid knockdown (D Brash, P
Falloon, pers. comm.).
Japan is currently demanding a Dichlorvos Residue Approval Programme (DRAP) to provide
assurance that dichlorvos has not been used on fresh produce exported to Japan (C Ward,
pers. comm.). Research into a suitable long-term alternative for the postharvest treatment of
asparagus for thrips control, such as hot water treatment, has so far been unsuccessful (D
Brash, pers. comm.; Ward 2009).
Pasture and Cereals
There is little use of dichlorvos on cereal crops where synthetic pyrethroids are used to
control aphids and caterpillar pests (N Pyke, pers. comm.). Insectigas® is registered for use
in grain storage but it is unknown whether it is used for this purpose in New Zealand.
Dichlorvos is not used on ryegrass (N Pyke, pers. comm.). However, trichlorfon is
occasionally used for porina control in Southland pasture. Trichlorfon (sold as TrifonTM
) is a
broad-spectrum organophosphate that is registered for use on a range of field crops and
pasture. Because of its low level of use, it is likely TrifonTM
will be voluntarily withdrawn from
market (W Palleson, pers. comm.).
Clover Seed and Vegetable Seed Production
Dichlorvos has been replaced with synthetic pyrethroids (e.g. Mavrik®) for control of clover
case bearer, thrips and aphids. Synthetic pyrethroids are a cost-effective alternative, at
approximately NZ$ 4-6 per hectare. While clover root weevil has been a recent problem in
pasture, it is not seen as a major problem in seed production, since clover grown for seed
production is only in the ground for two years, which does not give enough time for clover
root weevil to establish (N Pyke, pers. comm.).
A small amount of dichlorvos may be occasionally used for vegetable seed production, but
there are pollination issues (i.e. safety to bees) associated with its use. There are 2-3,000
ha of vegetable seed crops (N Pyke, pers. comm.), returning NZ$30 million in 2007
(HortResearch 2007).
Turf
In 2006, it was estimated there is a turf grass area of 58,139 ha managed for both sports
and amenity uses (Haydu et al. 2008).
The main pests in turf management are porina, weevils, grass grub, black beetle, crickets
and worms. Worm levels are higher in New Zealand than overseas because of our high
organic matter. Typical water rates used on turf are 200-300 litres per ha applied with a
boom sprayer. Rates can be as high as 600-800 litres per hectare where soil irrigation is
needed to target a specific issue. The number of insecticide applications made per year
depends on the field purpose and pest problem. There are 0-3 insecticide applications made
per year on fairways, with up to 10 on a high quality green. On sports fields, insecticide use
is much lower, estimated at once every three years for worms, and once every two years for
porina, where porina is a problem (B Hannan, pers. comm.).
Dichlorvos is not currently used in turf management. Pest control options in turf management
are diazinon, chlorpyrifos and synthetic pyrethroids, depending on the target pest.
Trichlorfon may be used to target specific problems such as porina moth (B Hannan, pers.
comm.).
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 21
Fruit fly Surveillance Programme
New Zealand has a unique position in that it is free from fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). The
severe economic impact of even a temporary establishment of fruit flies represents a major
biosecurity threat to New Zealand’s horticulture industry, which was worth $2.9 billion in
exports in 2008 (Plant & Food Research 2008; Suckling et al. 2008).
The absence of fruit fly species represents a very significant export market advantage
allowing fresh export produce to be certified as free of infestation and exported to areas
where fruit flies do not occur. It allows fruit fly-susceptible crops to be produced in New
Zealand without a need for the management of this pest, which results in savings in terms of
pest management inputs. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand
(MAFBNZ) operates a nationwide surveillance trapping programme at a cost of
approximately $1.2 million per annum (MAFBNZ 2009). This programme was initiated in the
mid 1970s to provide trading partners with an auditable assurance that New Zealand
remains free of fruit flies, and is designed to detect incursive fruit fly populations quickly, so
that they may be efficiently eradicated (Suckling et al. 2008; MAFBNZ 2009)
Central to the programme are about 7385 Lynfield traps deployed at 3518 sites at a range of
locations based on incursion risk profile, with the largest number (about 67%) in Auckland
and fewer than 18% of the traps in the South Island. The fruit fly traps are set up according
to a MAF specification and only by contract operators, who have to undergo training and
subsequent auditing of procedures. Any changes to operational procedures must be made
with caution, to avoid losing sensitivity of the surveillance operation (MAF 2004; Suckling et
al. 2008;MAFBNZ 2009).
The DDVP insecticide strips are used as a rapid knock down insecticide to male fruit flies
attracted by lures (attractant) in fruit fly traps. A rapid knock down insecticide is needed to
ensure trapped fruit flies that are attracted by the lure will remain in the insect trap for later
collection and identification. Different lures are used in the insect trap depending on the type
of fruit fly species. There are several thousand fruit fly species, but few are very
economically important. The lures used in the fruit fly traps in New Zealand are primarily
targeting Queensland fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata (Weid)), Froggatt (Bactrocera tryoni), melon
fly (B. cucurbitae (Coquillet)), Oriental fruit fly (B. dorsalis (Hendel)) and other male lure-
responsive species (MAF 2004; Suckling et al. 2008).
Fruit fly traps are usually set up from late August in northern New Zealand, and later in the
year further south as the temperatures increase. The traps remain in place until June of the
following year. The traps are placed either 400 or 1200 metres apart (one to eight traps per
km2), depending on the type of lure. The traps are placed in potential host plants, are not
hung below foliage and no closer than 1.3 metres to the ground. If there is more than one
trap on a property, then these are not placed in the same tree and must be at least three
metres apart. Each trap is inspected two-weekly and the DDVP insecticide strip is replaced
six-weekly. Replacement of the lure is six or 12-weekly depending on the type of lure (MAF
2004).
DDVP insecticide strips are used in fruit fly traps overseas. The recommended alternative
depends on the trap type used but most commonly is a cotton wick soaked in dichlorvos,
maldison (Malathion) or naled. Malathion and naled are organophosphates and are not
available in New Zealand (IAEA 2003). There are currently no alternatives available to
replace DDVP insecticide strips in the New Zealand fruit fly surveillance programme (V
Thomson, pers. comm.).
Page 22 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Conclusions and Recommendations
Trichlorfon (sold as TrifonTM
) is a broad-spectrum organophosphate that is registered for use
on a range of field crops and pasture. Little TrifonTM
is used in New Zealand, with only some
minor use for the control of porina larvae in Southland pasture and possibly in turf
management. As a result of its low level of use, it is likely TrifonTM
will be voluntarily
withdrawn from market.
Dichlorvos is an inexpensive but effective broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide
registered for use on a wide range of horticultural crops in New Zealand. It also has public
health uses for the indoor and outdoor control of pests such as flies, cockroaches, and ants,
and food storage pests such as flour beetles and grain weevils. The main horticultural
sectors currently using dichlorvos are cut flowers, particularly orchid production, glasshouse
vegetables, field vegetables, persimmon, tamarillo, passionfruit, berryfruits, postharvest
fumigation of asparagus and it is used in fruit fly surveillance traps. However, there is also
occasional use on other crops such as vegetable seed production and ornamentals, and
potential use in grain and food storage silos and warehouses.
Dichlorvos is sold for use in horticulture as two formulations, as an emulsifiable concentrate
(sold as Nuvos® and DivapTM
) and as an aerosol (sold as ArmourCrop DDVP and
Insectigas®). It is also available to MAF Biosecurity contained in vapour-releasing strips
(DDVP Insecticide Strips), which are used in New Zealand’s fruit fly surveillance traps.
Dichlorvos has superior efficacy, proven cost effectiveness, excellent penetration (semi-
fumigant action) and rapid knockdown. Its short residual effect means it can be used close
to harvest, while its broad-spectrum activity provides a useful option when growers are faced
with new pests or unexpected or late season pest build-ups. Its efficacy across a wide range
of pests, short residual effect, unique fumigant activity and rapid knockdown make it ideal for
pre-harvest and postharvest disinfestation to meet quarantine regulations, while these
properties also provide a range of application options to fit with packing and handling
systems. The unique properties associated with dichlorvos mean that most of its uses are for
specific purposes for which there are few if any alternatives.
Persimmon
Dichlorvos is used as a pre-harvest for the control of passenger pests such as oribatid mites.
Its short pre-harvest interval enables it to be used close to harvest as a clean-up spray. It is
effective against a wide range of insects and its fumigant activity provides control into calyx
cracks and under sepals that cannot be achieved through the use of other chemical
formulations and spray techniques. With 90% of the persimmon crop exported, it is
important that these passenger pests are controlled. Postharvest treatments have not
proved to be economically viable options, do not fit with current fruit transport and handling
systems and there are fruit damage risks. There are no current alternatives that have the
unique mode of action provided by dichlorvos that are effective in controlling these pests.
Tamarillo
Dichlorvos (Nuvos®) is used by the tamarillo industry. Nuvos® has a short pre-harvest
interval of seven days for local and export fruit. The only other contact insecticide currently
registered on tamarillo has a long pre-harvest interval of 60 days on export fruit, but seven
days on local fruit. In 2009, tomato/potato psyllid infestation caused up to 60% tree death
devastating some crops. This is an industry that currently needs all options available to it to
be able to produce a commercial tamarillo crop. Dichlorvos is the only registered insecticide
option currently found to be effective for tomato/potato psyllid control.
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 23
Passionfruit
Until recently, the industry also used Malathion 50 EC, for which MRLs exist in the USA, but
in June 2009 this product was voluntarily withdrawn from the New Zealand market by the
distributor Nufarm Ltd. The main export market is USA. There is no MRL for diazinon or
dichlorvos into this market; however, because of its short residual effect, dichlorvos is the
only insecticide currently available for thrip control for passionfruit for the USA market.
Dichlorvos and diazinon are the only two insecticides specifically registered for use on
passionfruit in New Zealand.
Berryfruits
Strawberry growers and local market berry growers are using dichlorvos mainly for
carpophilus beetle control in the North Island and small amounts are being used in the South
Island for aphid and caterpillar control. Dichlorvos was not used in any blackcurrant or
Boysenberry export crops in 2009 and only one export blueberry grower applied dichlorvos
for bronze beetle control.
As pest control programmes reduce in broad-spectrum activity, beetles such as bronze
beetle and carpophilus beetle become more prevalent. Berryfruit growers are finding
dichlorvos to be an effective control where there are few alternatives. Its fumigant action
gives good coverage and short residual effect means it can be used close to harvest, while
its broad-spectrum activity provides a useful option when growers are faced with unexpected
and late season pest problems.
Ornamentals and Cut Flower Production
Dichlorvos is less widely used in ornamental and flower crops than in glasshouse vegetable
crops, with the exception of cymbidium orchids. It is used in cymbidium orchids because it is
a useful insecticide for the control of scale insect in IPM programmes. Increasing numbers
of cymbidium orchid growers are using the predatory mite for two-spotted mite control, as
they are unable to control this pest with the available miticides.
Mites are a key quarantine pest for export cut flowers. As dichlorvos has a short pre-harvest
interval, wide pest control spectrum and fumigant activity, this means that if mites or other
insect pests are found in a crop, it can be treated then harvested or packed the next day.
The fumigant action is advantageous as it avoids blooms getting wet during treatment which
can cause disease. There is also some interest in fumigation with dichlorvos, as an option to
meet new lightbrown apple moth quarantine procedures for cut flowers and foliage to the
USA.
Glasshouse Vegetable Production
Dichlorvos is used fairly extensively in glasshouse vegetable production. It is widely used
because it has a short pre-harvest interval and therefore applications of this product are not
too disruptive to harvesting and it can be applied effectively using foggers, as it has fumigant
activity. Dichlorvos is frequently used as a clean-up treatment for glasshouse crop pests
including whitefly and aphids. It is also used strategically in glasshouses to knock down
pests, before re-introduction of bumble bees for pollination of tomato crops and predator
mites for control of two-spotted mites. There are no alternative insecticides with these
properties of short pre-harvest interval, wide pest control spectrum and fumigant activity.
As a result of the establishment of tomato/potato psyllid in New Zealand, previously
established integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in greenhouse tomato and
capsicum crops have been severely disrupted, resulting in higher pesticide dependence.
Dichlorvos is listed as one of the insecticides that can be used for control of tomato/potato
psyllid.
Page 24 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Mushroom
Few insecticides are used in mushroom production. When they are, preference is given to
the insect growth regulator Dimilin® (diflubenzuron) for the control of sciarid flies (Lycoriella
spp). Mushroom growers do not currently use dichlorvos. However, the de-registration of
dichlorovs would leave very few alternative insecticides available.
Field Vegetables
Growers do occasionally use dichlorvos in field vegetable production, in particular, for
periods with particularly bad insect pest problems. There are other insecticides from different
chemical groups available for pest control, but dichlorvos is useful for a quick knockdown of
high pest populations.
Asparagus
Fumigation of fresh asparagus with dichlorvos incorporated with a gas propellant product
(Insectigas®) is standard practice for export asparagus. The treatment is to eliminate thrips
in particular, which pose a quarantine pest risk to some export markets (especially Japan).
Dichlorvos has superior efficacy, proven cost effectiveness, excellent penetration (semi-
fumigant action) and rapid knockdown.
Japan is currently demanding a Dichlorvos Residue Approval Programme (DRAP) to provide
assurance that dichlorvos has not been used on fresh produce exported to Japan. Research
into a suitable long-term alternative for the postharvest treatment of asparagus for thrip
control has so far been unsuccessful.
Pasture and Cereals
There is little use of dichlorvos on cereal crops: synthetic pyrethroids are typically used to
control aphids and caterpillar pests. Insectigas® is registered for use in grain storage but it
is unknown whether it is used for this purpose in New Zealand. Dichlorvos is not used on
ryegrass. However, trichlorfon (sold as TrifonTM
) is occasionally used for porina control in
Southland pasture. Because of its low level of use, it is likely that TrifonTM
will be voluntarily
withdrawn from market.
Clover seed and Vegetable Seed Production
Dichlorvos has been replaced with synthetic pyrethroids (e.g. Mavrik®) for control of clover
case bearer, thrips and aphids. A small amount may be occasionally used for vegetable
seed production, but there are pollination issues (i.e. safety to bees) associated with its use.
Turf
Dichlorvos is not currently used in turf management. Trichlorfon may be used to target site
specific problems such as porina moth.
Fruit fly Surveillance Programme
New Zealand has a unique position in that it is free from fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae). The
severe economic impact of even a temporary establishment of fruit flies represents a major
biosecurity threat to New Zealand’s horticulture industry. Central to the programme are
about 7385 Lynfield traps deployed at 3518 sites at a range of locations based on incursion
risk profile, with the largest number (about 67%) in Auckland and fewer than 18% of the
traps in the South Island. DDVP insecticide strips are used in the traps as a rapid knock-
down insecticide to fruit flies attracted by lures (attractant) in the fruit fly traps. A rapid knock-
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 25
down insecticide is needed to ensure trapped fruit flies that are attracted by the lure will
remain in the insect trap for later collection and identification. DDVP insecticide strips are
also used in fruit fly traps overseas. The recommended alternative depends on the trap type
used, but most commonly is a cotton wick soaked in dichlorvos, maldison (Malathion) or
naled. Malathion and naled are organophosphates and are not available in New Zealand
There are currently no alternatives available to replace DDVP insecticide strips in the New
Zealand fruit fly surveillance programme.
Page 26 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
References
BOC Limited 2007. Insectigas (BOC limited – NZ) (5% Dichlorvos). Material Safety Data Sheet #0142. Reviewed 26 June 2007. www.boc.co.nz
BOC Limited 2009. Pest control solutions. Brochure. Retrieved July 2009 https://boc.co.nz/boc_sp/downloads/gas_brochures/BOC_Pestigas_Brochure.pdf
CODEX Alimentarius 2009. Pesticide residues in food. Maximum Residue Limits. FAO/WHO Food Standards. Database last updated 30 March 2009. http://www.codexalimentarius.net/mrls/pestdes/jsp/pest_q-e.jsp
ERMA New Zealand 2004. Fruit Growers Compliance Guide. ER-CG-10-01 06/04. ERMA New Zealand. Wellington. p2. www.ermanz.govt.nz/resources/publications/pdfs/ER-CG-10-1.pdf
ERMA New Zealand 2008. Three more hazardous chemicals up for review. Media Release. 10 September 2008. www.ermanz.govt.nz/news-events/archives/media-releases/2008/mr-20080911.html
Haydu J, Way B, Hodges A, Cisar J, Aldous D. 2008. Economic challenges confronting New Zealand’s sports turf industry. Proceedings 2
nd International Conference on
Turfgrass. Acta Horticulturae 783, ISHS 2008. p349-356.
Horticulture New Zealand. 2008. New Zealand code of practice for the management of the tomato/potato psyllid in greenhouse tomato and capsicum crops. Horticulture NZ’s Fresh Tomato and Fresh Vegetable Product Groups. November 2008. www.tomatoesnz.co.nz
HortResearch 2007. FreshFacts. New Zealand Horticulture. The New Zealand Horticulture & Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd. p33. www.hortresearch.co.nz
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 2003. Trapping Guidelines for area-wide fruit fly programmes. IAEA, Vienna. p47 www.iaea.org/nafa/d4/public/trapping-web.pdf
Manktelow D, Stevens, P, Walker J, Gurnsey S, Park N, Zabkiewicz, Teulon D, Rahman A 2005. Trends in pesticide use in New Zealand: 2004. Report to the Ministry for the Environment, Project SMF4193. HortResearch, Auckland. www.hortresearch.co.nz/files/science/ifp/nz-pesticide-trends.pdf
Martin NA, Beresford RM, Harrington KC eds 2005. Pesticide resistance: Prevention and management strategies 2005. New Zealand Plant Protection Society Inc 2005. www.nzpps.org/resistance/index.php
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 2004. Form HS1 application for approval to
import or manufacture any hazardous substance for release. DDVP Insecticide Strip.
Applicant Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. HSR04011. p44. Accessed from
www.ermanz.co.nz
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 2006. Horticulture Monitoring Report. MAF Policy. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Wellington. July 2006. p108.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) 2009. Sustainable Farming Fund Final Report. Perfecting persimmon spraying. Grant No 03/133. Web page updated 23 February 2009. Retrieved from www.maf.govt.nz/sff/about-projects/search/03-133/final-report.htm
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) 2009. Fruit fly surveillance programme. Updated 15 April 2009. www.biosecurity.govt.nz
New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) 2008. New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2008. Gazette Notice 2238. Effective 1 May 2008. http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/legislation/food-standards/index.htm#mrl
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 27
New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) 2009. ACVM database of currently registered veterinary medicines, plant compounds and vertebrate toxic agents. Accessed 25 May 2009. www.nzfsa.govt.nz/acvm/registers-lists/acvm-register/index.htm
Novachem 2009. New Zealand Novachem Agrichemical Manual 2009. Young S (ed) AgriMedia Ltd, Christchurch. p779. www.spraybible.com.
Persimmon Industry Council 2001. Green & Gold® Persimmon IPM System Manual.
October 2001. Persimmon Industry Council. Wellington. p77.
Plant & Food Research 2008. FreshFacts. New Zealand Horticulture. The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Ltd. p33. www.plantandfood.com.
Prestidge RA, Holland PT, Clarke AD, Malcolm CP. 1989. Pesticides for use close to and during harvest of persimmons. Proceedings 42
nd New Zealand Weed and Pest
Conference. 1989. p195-199. www.nzpps.org.nz.
Steven D, Sale PR. 1985. Insect control trials on persimmons. Proceedings 38th New
Zealand Weed and Pest Conference. 1985. p203-206. www.nzpps.org.nz.
Suckling DM, Jang EB, Holder P, Carvalho L, Stephens AE. 2008. Evaluation of lure
dispensers for fruit fly surveillance in New Zealand. Pest Management Science
64(8):848-56. August 2008.
Thompson J. 2009. Industry perspectives and observations – greenhouses. Solanaceaous
Crops Psyllids & Liberibacter. 7th World Potato Congress. Proceedings of the
workshop held 26 March 2009. Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ward C. 2009. Conference to take a global outlook. NZ Asparagus Council. Grower. Vol
64 No 2 March 2009.
Watson C. 2009. Tamarillo Growers. Solanaceaous Crops Psyllids & Liberibacter. 7th World
Potato Congress. Proceedings of the workshop held 26 March 2009. Christchurch,
New Zealand.
Page 28 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Acknowledgements
Adria Crop Protection
AgResearch, Denise Bewsell and colleagues
Allan Woolf, Plant & Food Research
Brendon Hannan, NZ Sports Turf Institute
Chris Ward, New Zealand Asparagus Council
Craig Watson, NZ Tamarillo Growers Association
David Manktelow, Manktelow and Associates
David Steven, IPM Research Ltd
Don Brash, Plant & Food Research
Geoff Langford, Plant & Food Research
Graham Walker, Plant & Food Research
Ian Turk, Horticulture New Zealand
Ivan Angland, Adrian Rigby, Heinz-Watties
John Barnes, Meadow Mushrooms
John Wilkinson, Christine Cowell, Stephen McKinney, Horticentre
Keith Sandom, Passionfruit Growers Association, and grower members
Lindsay Wells, Persimmon Industry Council
Martin Speeden, Commercial Mushroom Growers Federation New Zealand
Murray Ross, PGG Wrightsons, Christchurch
Nick Martin, Plant & Food Research
Nick Pyke, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR)
Peter Falloon, Aspara Pacific
Peter Lo, Plant & Food Research
Peter Workman, Plant & Food Research
Ralph Meinhardt, BOC NZ Limited
Skelton Ivory, Hastings
Trevor Lupton, Lupton Lewis Consultants
Vivien Thomson, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
Wayne Palleson, Zelam Limited
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 29
Appendices
Appendix 1. Insecticide use in horticulture.
(data from survey results from Manktelow et al. 2005, Trends in Pesticide Use in New Zealand:2004)
FAO Category Active
Ingredient1
Total Tonnes a.i/y
% of Total Insecticide Use
Acaricides (I2) azocyclotin 0.31 0.21% clofentezine 0.28 0.19% dicofol 0.31 0.22% fenbutatin oxide 0.03 0.02% fenpyroximate 0.02 0.01% milbemectin 0.00 0.00% propargite 0.03 0.02% Botanicals and Biological control agents abamectin 0.00 0.00% Bacillus thuringiensis
var aizawai/kurstaki 0.19 0.13%
Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (h-3a,3b hd1)
0.39 0.28%
Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (h-3a,3b, sa-11)
4.00 2.82%
pyrethrins 0.04 0.03% spinosad 1.43 1.00% Carbamate insecticides carbaryl 16.37 11.52% furathiocarb 0.00 0.00% methomyl 0.35 0.24% oxamyl 2.27 1.60% pirimicarb 5.06 3.56% Insect Growth Regulators (I1) buprofezin 1.80 1.27% lufenuron 0.66 0.46% tebufenozide 12.67 8.91% Organophosphates acephate 2.52 1.77% azinphos-methyl 0.31 0.22% chlorpyrifos 14.91 10.49% diazinon 22.03 15.51% dichlorvos 1.13 0.79% dimethoate 0.60 0.42% fenamiphos 10.66 7.50% maldison 1.47 1.04% methamidophos 17.85 12.56% phorate 5.62 3.95% pirimiphos-methyl 7.54 5.31% prothiofos 1.13 0.80% terbufos 0.06 0.04%
Page 30 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Appendix 1. Insecticide use in horticulture (continued)
FAO Category Active
Ingredient1
Total Tonnes a.i/y
% of Total Insecticide Use
Other Insecticides (I3) dienochlor 0.02 0.01% emamectin benzoate 0.00 0.00% endosulfan 1.61 1.13% fipronil 0.02 0.02% imidacloprid 3.43 2.41% indoxacarb 1.39 0.98% pymetrozine 1.42 1.00% thiacloprid 0.47 0.33% thiamethoxam 0.01 0.01% Pyrethroids alpha-cypermethrin 0.00 0.00% bifenthrin 0.14 0.10% cyfluthrin 0.20 0.14% cypermethrin 0.04 0.03% deltamethrin 0.07 0.05% esfenvalerate 0.00 0.00% lambda-cyhalothrin 0.14 0.10% permethrin 0.97 0.68% tau-fluvalinate 0.12 0.08% Total Insecticide 142.09 100.00%
Appendix 2. CODEX Maximum Residue Level (MRL) 2009 for dichlorvos and trichlorfon.
Commodity Dichlorvos MRL (mg/kg)*
Cereal grains 5
Meat (from mammals other than marine mammals)
0.05
Milks 0.02
Mushrooms 0.5
Poultry meat 0.05
Wheat bran, Unprocessed 10
Wheat flour 1
Wheat germ 10
Wheat wholemeal 2
*for Trichlorfon there are no MRLs established or prior MRLs revoked
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 31
Appendix 3. Summary of product application methods, label rates and use
Crop type Dichlorvos
and/or
trichlorfon use
Crop Application
equipment
Trifon*
label rate
(500 g/L
trichlorfon)
NuvosTM
label rate
(1000 g/L
dichlorvos)
Divap®
label rate
(1140 g/L
dichlorvos)
Water
rates
ArmourCrop DDVP
& Insectigas
(50 g/kg
dichlorvos,
propellant CO2)
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
(188 g/kg
dichlorvos)
If
used,
apps
per
year,
Min.
Apps
per
year,
Max.
Total crop
area (ha)1
Number
of
growers1
Asparagus yes - export
produce
Asparagus Fog -
postharvest
2.5 g/m2 1 1 used
postharvest
100
Cereal little use - use
synthetic
pyrethroids
Cereals Boom 1.8-2.4
L/ha
350-750 ml/ha 300 – 650
ml/ha
220 - 450
l/ha
1 1
Covered
crop
yes Glasshouse
capsicum
Fog –
dispensing
system or
handgun
2.5 g/m2 1 2 128
56
Covered
crop
yes Glasshouse
flowers
Fog or light
spray -
dispensing
system or
handgun
5 ml/litre/
100 m3 or
25 ml/5 litres
4 ml/litre/
100 m3 or
20 ml/5
litres
2.5 g/m2 1 2
Covered
crop
yes Glasshouse
vegetables
Fog or light
spray -
dispensing
system or
handgun
5 ml/litre/100
m3 or
25 ml/5 litres
4 ml/litre/
100 m3 or
20 ml/5
litres
2.5 g/m2 1 2 122 (under-
estimate?)
300
Covered
crop
no - but
removal of
dichlorvos
leaves few
alternates
Mushroom Fog or light
spray -
dispensing
system or
handgun
5 ml/litre/100
m3 or
25 ml/5 litres
4 ml/litre/
100 m3 or
20 ml/5
litres
1 1 42 11
Page 32 2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009
Crop type Dichlorvos
and/or
trichlorfon use
Crop Application
equipment
Trifon*
label rate
(500 g/L
trichlorfon)
NuvosTM
label rate
(1000 g/L
dichlorvos)
Divap®
label rate
(1140 g/L
dichlorvos)
Water
rates
ArmourCrop DDVP
& Insectigas
(50 g/kg
dichlorvos,
propellant CO2)
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
(188 g/kg
dichlorvos)
If
used,
apps
per
year,
Min.
Apps
per
year,
Max.
Total crop
area (ha)1
Number
of
growers1
Field
Vegetable
occasional for
pest outbreaks
vegetables
(brassicas,
tomatoes,
beans, other
field
vegetables)
Boom
Market
gardens
may use
mist blower
small scale
1.8-3.6
L/ha
(for
cutworm
can apply
as bait)
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100 L
440-700
ml/ha or 50
ml/100 L
220-450
L/ha
60 L/ha for
mist
blower
1 2 49779 total
vegetable
production
(large over-
estimate of
likely area)
3435
Forage crop no - generally
use
chlorpyrifos
Forage
brassicas
Boom 1.8-3.6
L/ha (for
cutworm
can apply
as bait)
350-750 ml/ha 300 – 650
ml/ha
220-450
L/ha
1 1
Fruit fly
surveillance
programme
yes Fruit fly
surveillance
programme
Vapour
releasing
strip
not
applicable
1 x 2.6-g
strip per
trap. 1 trap
per km2.
Renewed
every 6
weeks
8 9
Ornamental occasional for
pest outbreaks
Ornamental
nursery
production
Mist blower
or handgun
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100 L
440-700
ml/ha or
50 ml/100 L
Handgun
apply to
runoff
60 L/ha for
mist
blower
1 1
Pasture very
occasional - in
Southland for
porina moth
Pasture Boom 1.8-2.4
L/ha
170-220
litres/ha
1 1
2810 Dichlorvos and trichlorfon use in New Zealand horticulture July 2009 Page 33
Crop type Dichlorvos
and/or
trichlorfon use
Crop Application
equipment
Trifon*
label rate
(500 g/L
trichlorfon)
NuvosTM
label rate
(1000 g/L
dichlorvos)
Divap®
label rate
(1140 g/L
dichlorvos)
Water
rates
ArmourCrop DDVP
& Insectigas
(50 g/kg
dichlorvos,
propellant CO2)
DDVP
Insecticide
Strip
(188 g/kg
dichlorvos)
If
used,
apps
per
year,
Min.
Apps
per
year,
Max.
Total crop
area (ha)1
Number
of
growers1
Pasture possible Turf Boom 1.8-2.4
L/ha
170-220
litres/ha
1 1 58,139
Seed no - use
synthetic
pyrethroids
Clover seed
crops
Boom 1.8-2.4
L/ha (grass
seed)
150-220 ml/ha 130 – 190
ml/ha
110 - 170
L/ha
1 1
Seed occasional Vegetable
seed
Boom
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100 L
440-700
ml/ha or
50 ml/100 L
220-450
L/ha
1 1 2-3,000
Tree fruit yes Persimmon Airblast 100 ml/100 L 90 ml/100 L 2000 L/ha 1 2 180 88
Tree fruit yes Tamarillo Airblast 100 ml/100 L 90 ml/100 L 600-1200
L/ha
1 2 194 175
Vine & Bush
fruit
yes Berryfruit -
field
strawberry
Boom 500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100 L
440-700
ml/ha or
50 ml/100 L
220-450
L/ha
1 3 170 100
Vine & Bush
fruit
occasional for
pest outbreaks
Berryfruit -
row
blueberry
blackcurrant
Boysenberry
Airblast or
similar
500-800 ml/ha
or
60 ml/100 L
440-700
ml/ha or
50 ml/100 L
1000 L/ha
probably
1 2 2395 262
Vine & Bush
fruit
yes Passionfruit Knapsack or
framework
(not
airblast)
100 ml/100 L 90 ml/100 L 1000 L/ha 1 3 47
1Plant & Food Research 2008