THE CURRENT POSITION OF THE IGR DIFLUBENZURON (DIMILIN) IN EUROPEAN FRUIT PRODUCTION.

The commercial introduction of diflubenzuron in the late seventies for control of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella), and several lepidopterous leafminers, which are key-pests in apples and pears, greatly enhanced the possibilities for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in these crops.

The unique position of diflubenzuron is based on its safety to honey bees, and most predators and parasites. In 1994 new GLP semi-field and field studies with twice the highest rate specified on the label, confirmed that Dimilin is non-toxic to honey bees. Other insect pests in apple and pear which can be controlled with diflubenzuron are: leafminers (viz. Phyllonorycter spp. and Leucoptera spp.), wintermoth (Operophtera brumata), browntail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea), ermine moths (Yponomeuta spp.), pear psylla (Psylla pyri), apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali), fruitlet mining tortrix (Pammene rhediella), apple fruit moth (Argyresthia conjugella), and the occulation gallmidge (Resseliella oculiperda).

Due to a continuous over-use of diflubenzuron in some fruit growing areas with high codling moth pressure, especially in the south of Europe, local resistance of codling moth to diflubenzuron (and other benzoylureas) has been observed in recent years. As only a few products are currently available for use against codling moth in IPM, moderation of use is required to decrease the selection pressure in areas where codling moth is still susceptible to diflubenzuron. For this purpose a resistance-management-program is being communicated to the growers.

Examples of new application areas in which diflubenzuron has been developed in recent years, are its uses against the citrus leafminer (Phyllonoctis citrella) in citrus, and the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus) in raspberries.

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