New Carbine insecticide from FMC delivers targeted aphid control in pulses and alfalfa

Aphids can decimate yield potential and have become one of the most prevalent pests affecting alfalfa, lentils, field peas and other pulse crops in western Canada. New Carbine™ insecticide gives growers a tool to protect their crops against this yield-robbing insect.

Carbine™ insecticide is a new, fast-acting, selective aphid control product with a unique mode of action. The active ingredient, flonicamid, targets the aphid’s mouthparts by disrupting the potassium channels in the pests’ nervous system, making them unable to feed. This selective activity results in fast control while having minimal impact on many important beneficial insects and pollinators* when applied as directed by the label.

″We are committed to bringing unique, sustainable products to growers as they face significant yield-robbing pests,″ says Frances Boddy, Insecticide Product Manager at FMC Canada. ″Carbine™ insecticide provides effective control of a significant problem in pulse and alfalfa crops. This will be a welcome new tool available to western Canada growers for the 2023 crop season.″

Carbine™ insecticide provides residual control and helps protect both sides of the leaf due to its translaminar activity. It also controls both immature and adult insect stages. ″Aphids literally suck the yield right out of plants and can cause significant damage,″ says Boddy. ″This is a highly effective, targeted solution that stops feeding activity within 30 minutes of application.″

Yield and quality can be severely impacted under high aphid pressure. Aphids reproduce at a fast rate so populations can explode quickly under the correct conditions. Growers should scout often once plants enter the flowering stage and make the decision to apply Carbine™ insecticide according to established economic threshold and population trend guidelines. The residual nature of Carbine™ insecticide provides the added bonus of longer protection against recolonization versus other non-selective insecticide control options.

In addition to controlling aphids, Carbine™ insecticide also reduces the numbers of lygus and tarnished plant bugs. It can be applied any time before the short pre-harvest interval of 7 days in its registered crops.

As part of FMC Canada’s industry leading insecticide portfolio, new Carbine™ insecticide provides another differentiated, sustainable tool for Western Canada growers to protect their valuable crops from damaging insect pests.