Scotts has launched Exemptor, a new contact and systemic insecticide for the control of major soil and foliar pests in container-grown ornamentals.

Exemptor, which replaces Scotts’ Intercept insecticide, is formulated for incorporation into the company’s growing media, including its peat-free products. The firm says that it is effective against vine weevil, aphids, whitefly and - unlike Intercept - has the added benefit of controlling leaf beetles.

The active ingredient is thiacloprid, a member of the chloronicotinyl family. It has a different mode of action to insecticides such as organophosphates, pyrethroids or carbamates, and can therefore help break resistance to these more traditional products.

Its systemic properties allow it to be ingested by sucking or biting insects via sap, while it is also effective when in contact with insects as they move around on the plant surface.

Exemptor is crop and user friendly, cost efficient and labour saving. It binds onto growing media, doesn’t leach out and has no environmental restrictions or precautions for its use. The product is a neutral brown, so it will not stand out in growing media.

Trials have shown that most plants grown in growing media treated with Exemptor are protected for the entire production cycle. This protection can extend into the distribution chain, to the benefit of retailers and plant buyers.

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