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Army
Worms/Moths |
To inform and educate the regulated community regarding an important pesticide enforcement issue regarding pesticide use to control the armyworm. The purpose of this enforcement alert is to assist the regulated community in responding to the infestation of army worms currently found in Massachusetts without violating state and federal laws and regulations. Such violation may result in enforcement actions including, but not limited to, the destruction of any crop to which a pesticide misapplication has occurred. There have been several incidents in other state of growers using a pesticide for armyworm control that was not registered for the crop to which it was applied. Given the recent infestation of armyworms in Massachusetts, there is concern that this mistake could be made here as well. The confusion stems from the fact that armyworm may be listed on the label as a target pest. However, for a pesticide to be legally applied to a crop, that CROP or SITE MUST APPEAR ON THE LABEL. REFERENCE TO A PEST ON A LABEL DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE PESTICIDE MAY BE APPLIED TO ANY CROP. For example, if the application is to be made to an approved site, such as alfalfa, then it may be done. If it is to be made to a mixed field of hay, not an approved site, and alfalfa, it can not be done. If a pesticide is applied to a crop and that crop does not appear on the label as an approved site, the crop will need to be destroyed. If animals are fed a crop that was inappropriately treated with a pesticide the meat or milk from that animal will likely need to be destroyed. The simple message is, DO NOT APPLY ANY PESTICIDE TO A CROP UNLESS THAT CROP APPEARS ON THE LABEL AS AN APPROVED SITE FOR APPLICATION. Make sure you follow all other label directions as well. If you have questions on pesticides, please contact the Pesticide Bureau, Enforcement at: 617-626-1781 Additional info on armyworm control, Phone numbers and web addresses for UMASS Please
refer to the UMASS agroecology webpage for armyworm updates and links
to commodity information such Crops, Dairy, & Livestock, Vegetables,
as well as the UMASS Turf program. Turf: Patricia Vittum 413-545-0268 Mary Owen 508-892-0382 Crops, Dairy Livestock: Stephen Herbert 413-545-2250 Sidney Lyford 413-545-2346 Vegetable:
Ruth Hazard 413-545-3696 John Howell 413-545-5307. |
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