Research verifies performance of Dow AgroSciences' new Intrepid Edge™ insecticide

With corn earworm and soybean loopers identified in a university survey as the two most economically devastating insects in Southern soybeans, new Intrepid Edge™ insecticide(spinetoram + methoxyfenozide) will be an important tool to help growers achieve control of the pests, along with other foliage- and pod-feeding insect species. In six Midsouth university trials conducted in 2013, Intrepid Edge demonstrated exceptional control of the two insects.

“Lepidoptera insect pests are taking a bigger bite out of Midsouth soybean yields, with corn earworm – or bollworm – leading the pack and soybean looper not too far behind,” says Drew Ellis, Dow AgroSciences market development specialist for the MidSouth. “Growers are looking for new tools to achieve control of these insect species to achieve maximum yields.”

Corn earworm alone can cost growers more than $20 an acre in direct costs and yields, according to a 2012 report on soybean insect losses in the Southern U.S. The soybean looper was the second-most damaging insect in the study, costing growers more than $10 an acre in lost yields and expenses.

Intrepid Edge, available to growers for the first full year during the upcoming season, features two modes of action — an Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Group 5 and IRAC Group 18 insecticide — in a ratio that optimizes knockdown and residual control. The two chemistries also allow growers to control worms resistant to other insecticides while remaining compatible in an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.

In the university trials, Intrepid Edge provided excellent corn earworm control at varying rates compared with competitive insecticides and an untreated check plot. Similar trials measured the number of soybean loopers captured in 25 sweeps two days to five days after insecticide application, and at 13 days to 17 days post application. The data shows excellent knockdown of both worm pests along with providing the grower peace of mind with the extended residual control of soybean looper.

“Controlling corn earworm at pod set, when the soybeans are most vulnerable, is very important for achieving maximum yields,” Ellis says. “Intrepid Edge can protect the soybean pods from corn earworm and will provide residual control of soybean loopers that may come later in the season.”

Spinetoram and methoxyfenozide, the two active ingredients in Intrepid Edge, both received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award. Intrepid Edge is tank-mix-compatible with other pesticides, nutrients and adjuvants.