Powerful new insecticide packs fast, extended punch

^{Mealybugs are just one of the insect pests targeted by the new Ateka insecticide in a wide range of crops including citrus, pome, stone, grape, leafy green and fruiting vegetables.}

Developed by ADAMA Australia, Ateka^® contains a high concentration of the active ingredient, spirotetramat, which already offers class-leading systemic activity through plant vascular systems.

The company’s innovative Ayalon^™ Formulation Technology takes this a step further, accelerating the insecticide’s penetration for enhanced protection and earlier control of sucking pest populations.

The technology features a unique package that combines surfactants, solvents and wetting agents to help achieve improved performance.

Surfactants improve solubility and dispersibility whilst also promoting wetting, which enhances penetration into plant material; solvents assist stability and allow easier application; and, wetting agents significantly reduce droplet surface tension, aiding rapid and uniform spreading as well as increased absorption of the active ingredient.

“The high-load formulation also helps to reduce handling in the shed for growers,” said Rob Lomman, ADAMA Australia Portfolio Manager - Insecticides.

“The Ayalon formulation offers faster leaf penetration and plant uptake than other spirotetramat insecticide products, protecting the active ingredient from rain and environmental loss.”

Ateka targets aphids, mealybugs, diamondback moth, thrips, scale, psyllids, mites and silverleaf whitefly, allowing one systemic mode of action to be used across citrus, pome, stone, grape, leafy green and fruiting vegetable crops.

“Once it’s inside plants, it moves upward and downward to new growth, leaves and roots, helping to target hard-to-control pests. It stays active for an extended period, providing long-lasting residual control especially in perennial crops,” Rob said.

“It can provide season-long grapevine control and reliable control of citrus pests by protecting older and younger leaves, as well as new growth.”

He said it targeted developing pest life stages like nymphs and immatures by disrupting normal molting.

“Growers have a flexible application window with Ateka, however early applications deliver the strongest and most consistent control, providing long-term pest management.”

“Adult males are largely unaffected, but it reduces egg viability in females, helping suppress future pest generations. Results may not always be immediate, but population pressure declines over time as reproduction is interrupted.”

For scale in various crops, applications can commence immediately after peak flowering, which should coincide with the onset of crawler emergence or when pest numbers reach economic threshold.

Against aphids, Ateka works best on early instars, as this coincides with peak feeding.

Importantly, the insecticide preserves ladybird populations to help with mealybug control, plus it is harmless to lacewings and hoverflies, making it ideal for integrated pest management (IPM) programs.