August 2004

Pesticide Registrations and Actions

• In July, the EPA released the most recent risk assessments for the fungicide thiram. Due to perceived risks, the agency is considering cancelling the use of this material on strawberry and apple. Comments regarding the use and benefit of the fungicide are being collected on the agency’s docket (http://www.epa.gov/edocket/). The docket number is OPP-2004-0183. (Federal Register, 7/2/04).

• On July 21, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (FDACS) declared a crisis exemption for the use of Topsin M® (thiophanate-methyl) fungicide to control Fusarium hardlock of cotton caused by Fusarium verticilloides [syn. F. moniliforme]). The EPA registration numbers for the products that can be used are 4581-408 and 73545-16. (FDACS letter of 7/21/04).

• On July 27, the FDACS issued the special local needs registration SLN FL-040004 to Cheminova, Inc. for the use of malathion (Fyfanon®) insecticide (EPA Reg. # 67760-34) on citrus to control Caribbean fruit fly. (FDACS letter of 7/27/04).

• On August 6, the FDACS issued the special local needs registration SLN FL-040005 to Dow AgroSciences for the use of chlorpyrifos (Lorsban®) insecticide (EPA Reg. # 62719-301) on pepper to manage beet armyworm. (FDACS letter of 8/6/04).

• The FDACS has registered the insecticide gamma-cyhalothrin as either Proaxis® (EPA Reg. # 74921-3-5905) or Prolex® (EPA Reg. # 74921-2-5905) with uses in cotton, alfalfa, peanut, rice, fruiting vegetables, sorghum, sugarcane, soybean, forestry, and non-crop areas. (FDACS PREC Agenda, 8/5/04).

• Based on a request by Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., tolerances have been approved for the fungicide propiconazole (Tilt®). Tolerances of importance to Florida include: sweet corn and peanut. (Federal Register, 8/4/04).

• Based on a request by Bayer CropScience, tolerances have been approved for the fungicide propamocarb (Previcur®). Tolerances of importance to Florida include: fruiting vegetables, cucurbit vegetables, and head and leafy lettuce. (Federal Register, 8/4/04).

• Based on a request by Arvesta Corporation, tolerances have been approved for the miticide acequinocyl. This is a broad spectrum miticide (except rust mites) with a new mode of action that is less detrimental to beneficial species. Tolerances of importance to Florida include: citrus and strawberry. (Federal Register, 7/21/04).

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• Since 1998, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, Upland Invasive Exotic Plant Management Program, has controlled more than 5,000 acres of Lygodium japonicum and L. microphyllum at a cost of approximately $2.6 million ($520/acre). This acreage does not include work done by water management districts and federal and local governments. Effective August 1, 2004, the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management will provide an additional service to public conservation land managers throughout the state. If you should have a population of either species of fern in your managed area that is less than 10 acres in size, the Uplands Section staff will arrange for a qualified contractor to conduct initial herbicidal control of that plant population. The Lygodium Strike Team will be comprised of experienced weed control specialists under contract with the Bureau. They are prepared to provide either foliar applications or "poodle-cuts" (cut vines 4-5 feet up from the ground and apply herbicide to the rooted portion of the plant). Mr. Andrew Leslie is the coordinator for this endeavor. He can be reached at (850)-245-2822 or by e-mail at: Drew.Leslie@dep.state.fl.us (Email memo of 7/29/04).

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• The Pesticide Information Office is currently organizing a watermelon Strategic Pest Management Plan (PMSP) meeting for September 15 at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. Please contact Mark Mossler if you would like to participate.

• The FDACS Division of Plant Industry (DPI) released a memo in early August regarding pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM) presence in Florida. Since its discovery in June of 2002, Florida and federal agencies have been trying to restrict its spread to the rest of the nation. However, the pest is spreading and is becoming a potential regulatory problem for those nurseries, stock dealers and plant brokers that ship nursery stock plants interstate and to foreign countries. Although the DPI believes that biological control efforts will eventually reduce this pest to low levels, a good pest control program using chemical treatments including a systemic insecticide should be employed if PHM has been identified by a scouting program. The memorandum asked the growers to contact the local county extension agent for management recommendations. (DPI Memo of 8/4/04).

• On August 2, Stephen L. Johnson was sworn in as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by Administrator Michael Leavitt. Johnson has served in the position of Acting Deputy Administrator for the past year. Prior to serving as Acting Deputy Administrator, Johnson was the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances. He has over 20 years of service at the EPA, principally in the area of pesticide programs. Before joining EPA, Johnson held positions as the Director of Operations at Hazelton Laboratories Corporation and Litton Bionetics, Inc. (USDA CSREES email of 8/3/04).

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