Field efficacy of Surtivo®, first pre-mixture of two nucleopolyhedroviruses (HearNPV + ChinNPV), for control of Helicoverpa zea and Chrysodeixis includens in soybeans

Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens) are both economically damaging pests of soybeans. Currently, control of both pests is solely dependent on chemical insecticides. Due to development of insecticide resistance, it is increasingly more expensive and more challenging to control these pests. Surtivo® is a newly registered pre-mixture of Helicoverpa armigera Nucleopolyhedrovirus (HearNPV) and Chrysodeixis includens Nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChinNPV). Surtivo® belongs to the new IRAC mode-of-action group 31.  It is effective against insecticide-resistant field populations and it is very cost efficient when compared to currently available products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the field efficacy of Surtivo® as an alternative tool for control of H. zea and C. includens. Several field trials were conducted in commercial grower fields across Mississippi.  All treatments were represented by a single foliar application at 10 gal/acre.  Surtivo® was compared to three other insecticides and an untreated check. Larval counts were taken prior to treatment and followed weekly in each trial. Pod damage and leaf defoliation assessments were also conducted. Results from these field trials will be discussed.