Intrepid^® 2F Insecticide Accepted for Use in New York Pome Fruit

Indianapolis, IN - June 18, 2004

With New York state acceptance of the Intrepid® 2F insecticide label, orchardists have a new tool to help control lepitdopteran pests in apples and pears.

Methoxyfenozide, the active ingredient in Intrepid, is a molt accelerating compound, meaning it mimics the action of the molting hormone of larvae. Intrepid controls codling moth, Oriental fruit moth, lesser appleworm, leafrollers and spotted tentiform leafminer.

"We are excited to bring this technology to New York state pome fruit growers," says Lee Conway, market specialist, Dow AgroSciences. "Growers continue to look for more effective products to control lepidopteran pests and rotate with other products to manage resistance. Intrepid also offers the industry's longest residual control."

In recent years, apple growers in western New York have seen increasing pest pressure from worms in apples, particularly codling moth and Oriental fruit moth.

Intrepid provides extended residual control of at least 10 to 14 days for low to moderate infestations of codling moth, while offering 14 days or more residual control for leafrollers, says Dr. Brian Olson, Technical Field Biologist for Dow AgroSciences in New York state.

For best control of codling moth and Oriental fruit moth, Intrepid^® 2F insecticide should be applied when eggs are being laid. To control oblique-banded leafrollers, apply Intrepid at egg hatch.

"In general, Intrepid should be applied earlier than traditional contact chemistries for maximum effectiveness," Olson says.

Olson recommends using SpinTor® 2SC Naturalyte® insect control as a rotational partner with Intrepid for the control of oblique-banded leafrollers and spotted tentiform leafminers, and as a resistance management tool.

Both spinosad, the active ingredient in SpinTor, and methoxyfenozide offer unique chemistries that have earned the U.S. Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge award from the EPA. The award recognizes technologies using the principles of green chemistry in chemical design, manufacture and use.

"Intrepid and SpinTor are ideal in IPM programs because they preserve populations of beneficial insects, including bees, ladybeetles, lacewings, predatory mites and parasitic wasps," Olson adds.

To learn more about Intrepid^® 2F insecticide, contact your local ag retailer or call the Dow AgroSciences Customer Information Center at 1-800-258-3033.

Always read and follow label directions.

For Editorial Information:

Darrell Bruggink
Bader Rutter & Associates
(262) 938-5414
dbruggink@bader-rutter.com

Rosie Pitones-Dunasky
Dow AgroSciences LLC
(317) 337-4571