New Insecticides for Desert Produce and Melon Crops

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, the development of new insecticide chemistries has transformed pest management in desert produce and melon crops. Key breakthroughs include the introduction of neonicotinoids, spinosyns, ketoenols, and anthranilic diamides—each offering unique modes of action and improved efficacy against whiteflies, aphids, Lepidoptera, and virus vectors. Recently registered products such as PQZ, Sefina, Versys, Cormoran, and Harvanta provide growers with additional effective tools for managing sucking and chewing pests. This guide summarizes their modes of action, effective spectra, and IPM fit based on extensive field trials in Yuma, Arizona, to support sustainable and strategic insecticide use.