Chlorpyrifos alternatives in southern corn rootworm control in Virginia peanut

Southern Corn Rootworm (SCRW) (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is a primary pest in developing peanuts in Virginia and North Carolina. The larvae of SCRW cause economic losses by directly feeding on pegs and pods in addition to providing an entranceway for pathogens. The only effective way to prevent SCRW injury is to apply broad-spectrum soil insecticide prior to infestation. In 2021 the Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule revoking all tolerances for chlorpyrifos, the only labeled and effective insecticide for SCRW in peanut. In this study, we evaluated multiple insecticides for SCRW control in peanut. In this project conventional and organic products were tested as well as different broadcast applications timings. Field experiments were conducted on a university research station in Suffolk, VA and on commercial peanut fields in surrounding counties. Data collected consisted of pod injury by SCRW (scarified and penetrated pods) and yield.