New Insecticides for Desert Produce and Melon Crops

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, desert produce and melon cropping systems have benefited from the registration of numerous novel insecticide chemistries. These include neonicotinoids, spinosyns, ketoenols, and anthranilic diamides, all of which have improved the efficacy and safety of pest control in Arizona’s vegetable systems. This publication introduces five newly registered products—PQZ, Sefina, Versys, Cormoran, and Harvanta—detailing their modes of action, target pests, efficacy ratings, and fit within desert IPM programs. Evaluated through multiple field trials at the Yuma Agricultural Center, these insecticides offer promising alternatives for managing whiteflies, aphids, and lepidopteran pests while supporting resistance management and pollinator safety goals.