Evaluation of Registered Sunflower Insecticides as Candidate Blackbird Repellents

Authors

George M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Anthony A. Slowik, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
Linda B. Penry, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
H. Jeffrey Homan, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

February 2004

Comments

Published in National Sunflower Association Research Forum Papers 2004.

Abstract

Blackbird damage to ripening sunflower is forcing some growers to plant alternative, albeit less profitable, crops. Currently, only Bird Shield^® (a.i., methyl anthranilate) is registered as a bird repellent on ripening sunflower. However, field experiments with Bird Shield showed no consistent differences in damage levels between treated and untreated plots. During September and October 2003, we screened five insecticide formulations for feeding repellency using individually caged red-winged blackbirds. The tested insecticides are registered and currently available for use on ripening sunflower. They were Asana^® XL, Baythroid^® 2, Lorsban^®-4E, Scout X-Tra^®, and Warrior^® T.