CheckMate DBM-F: Flexible Spray Timings for Diamondback Moth Control

Diamondback Moth Damages Cole Crops

Found wherever cruciferous plants are grown, diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is a small, grayish-brown insect known for the distinctive diamond-shaped pattern on the back when its wings are folded. Depending on the region, diamondback moth can have as many as 12 generations within a year. Despite its unassuming size, larvae of diamondback moth are formidable pests for growers of cruciferous crops such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and kale.

Larvae feed on the leaves of these plants, causing significant damage that can lead to reduced yields and lower-quality produce. Younger plants are particularly vulnerable as damage can impact the formation of heads. The economic impact on growers is substantial, as they often must invest heavily to prevent rejected produce. Moreover, diamondback moth is notorious for developing insecticide resistance, making it a challenging adversary in agricultural pest management.

Unique Mode of Action Fights Resistance

Mating disruption offers a unique mode of action (MOA) in the fight against diamondback moth. Suterra’s CheckMate^® DBM-F is an innovative microencapsulated formulation designed for effective mating disruption of diamondback moth, interfering with the male moth’s ability to find mates, lowering future pest populations, and reducing crop damage.

You can imagine each microcapsule acting as its own pheromone dispenser, and each bottle containing billions of these microcapsules. Once applied, these microscopic capsules emit pheromones 24/7 for up to 4 weeks, depending on application rate. As a sprayable product, CheckMate DBM-F can be easily tank-mixed with other agrochemicals and applied using standard or novel spray equipment.

Spray Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly

CheckMate DBM-F offers flexibility in spray intervals at different application rates to easily integrate into your regular spray operations. Field research on application rates at different cadences shows equivalent performance when applied at:

• 2.0 fluid ounces/acre every 30 days
• 1.0 fluid ounces/acre every 14 days
• 0.5 fluid ounces/acre every 7 days

This flexibility, along with a zero-pre-harvest interval and 4-hour re-entry interval, gives you a powerful tool in the fight against diamondback moth that can be tailored to each field’s spray, irrigation, and harvest schedules.

By incorporating DBM-F into your pest management strategies early and consistently, you can achieve more sustainable and effective control of diamondback moth.

Learn more about CheckMate DBM-F and options for spray programs in our one-page summary here or take a look at our free e-book.

Information provided herein does not constitute a recommendation. Like any sprayable pest management input, the number of CheckMate DMB-F applications, spray timings, and application methods should be decided in consultation between growers and their crop advisers. Always adhere to state and local regulations and the current pesticide label and check with your organic certifier as applicable.