EMERGENCY AUTHORISATION GRANTED

An Emergency Authorisation (EA) for the use of the Syngenta insecticide Acelepryn to target leatherjackets has been granted for the 2022 season.

 This season, the leatherjacket authorisation permits use of Acelepryn up to 18 November 2022 - with an extended opportunity to cover the key periods of adult crane fly egg laying and target early stages of larval activity in the soil.

Subject to specific conditions, areas permitted for Acelepryn use now cover affected areas of golf course greens, tees and fairways, horse racecourses and gallops, airfields and first-class cricket outfields under exceptional circumstances. 

For the first time, golf and cricket venues hosting internationally important or first class competitions can apply for specific permission to treat extended areas of fairways and outfields, where there is a danger of cancellation or relocation of events as a result of pest damage. Special dispensation may be granted to the sports’ governing bodies, in consultation with ICL.

Leatherjackets cause extensive damage to turf through feeding on roots, which can be severe in areas, along with affecting playing surface smoothness on golf greens. Surface stability where larvae have chewed through turf roots is of grave concern for racecourses. 

Furthermore, extreme damage can occur in all turf surfaces when badgers, birds and other foragers root through turf in search of the larvae. The EA permits application in situations where there is an acknowledged instance of economic damage, or risk of bird strike on airfields, and where the product has been recommended by a BASIS qualified agronomist.
 
The Acelepryn EA was applied for and held by ICL. Users will be required to submit online stewardship records of areas treated, linked from the ICL website. 

“Over recent seasons the damage by soil pests has been of increasing concern and over an extended period,” reported Syngenta technical manager, Sean Loakes. “Obtaining this EA enables turf managers to develop a more effective integrated turf management programme to tackle the severe effects of these pests.” 

Further trials are underway on golf courses and fine turf surfaces to refine the application timing, along with aeration practices and the potential to use Acelepryn in conjunction with effectively targeted nematode treatments.   

Sean advocates the best results have been achieved with applications one month after the peak flight of adult crane fly and egg laying, for the product to be in the soil zone to target early feeding larvae. “The on-line Pest Tracker reporting system provides a picture of pest activity across the UK and Ireland, to better aid application timing,” he reported.

“Keep surfaces irrigated where possible prior to application, to attract pest larvae to towards the surface,” advised Sean. “It’s important to ensure the soil profile is not hydrophobic at the time of application. Apply at higher water volumes, above 600 l/ha, using the white O8 XC Nozzle to help the spray reach the soil surface.” 

New research has also shown adapting aeration timing and intensity could also influence leatherjacket larvae movement and the efficacy of controls say Syngenta.  

ICL technical Mmanager, Henry Bechelet, and Syngenta specialist, Glenn Kirby, have provided a full insight into new developments and practical implications of leatherjacket ITM control programmes in their latest September episode of the On the Horizon podcast.  

An online turf pest ID guide, to aid the identification of adult stages of key soil pests and target application timing, is now available on the Syngenta Turf website.