Cutworms, also known as earthworms, root-cutting worms, and groundworms, are the most widespread and damaging underground pests in China, primarily harming crops such as corn, tobacco, potatoes, cotton, and vegetables . So, what are some effective pesticides for specifically killing cutworms? Let's find out below.
1. High-efficiency cypermethrin
High-efficiency cypermethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide with high biological activity. It is a highly effective isomer of cypermethrin and has both contact and stomach poison effects. It has a broad insecticidal spectrum, rapid knockdown speed, and higher insecticidal activity than cypermethrin. It is very effective against underground pests such as root-knot nematodes and cutworms. It can be diluted 2000-3000 times with water for irrigation.
2. Thiamethoxam
Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide developed by Novartis in 1991. It can kill not only underground pests such as grubs, mole crickets, wireworms, and cutworms, but also effectively control various aphids, leafhoppers, planthoppers, whiteflies, scarab beetle larvae, potato beetles, nematodes, ground beetles, leaf miners, and other pests that have developed resistance to various types of chemical pesticides .
3. Phoxim
Phoxim has a broad insecticidal spectrum and strong knockdown effect, primarily acting through contact and stomach poison, making it suitable for controlling underground pests. For controlling the larvae of small cutworms, large cutworms, yellow cutworms, white-edged cutworms, and striped cutworms, a 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate can be diluted with water before spraying.
4. Diazinon
Diazinon is an organophosphorus pesticide that is low in toxicity and highly effective, possessing contact, stomach poison, fumigation, and some systemic action. Diazinon has a broad range of applications; granules can control underground pests, and due to its low toxicity to humans and animals, it can also be used in veterinary medicine and household hygiene. Applying diazinon is very simple: a 5% granule formulation can be applied as a base fertilizer by broadcasting or by applying it in planting holes at the time of crop transplanting; alternatively, a 30% emulsifiable concentrate can be diluted with water and sprayed, or applied as a root drenching.
5. Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole, marketed as "Kangkuan," has quickly become the best-selling insecticide in my country since its introduction in 2008 due to its broad insecticidal spectrum, good penetration, absorption and translocation, long-lasting effect, low toxicity, and environmental safety. Treating seeds with a 1000-fold dilution of 20% chlorantraniliprole suspension concentrate + 35% thiamethoxam seed treatment agent, followed by drying before sowing, can effectively control damage from corn cutworms and other pests.
