Hexythiazox: An Acaricide With Many Uses

Hexythiazox is a thiazolidinone pesticide that is used as an acaricide, miticide, and insecticide. It was first registered in the United States in 1988 and is currently registered for use on over 100 crops, including but not limited to: almonds, apples, cherries, grapes, nectarines, pears, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Hexythiazox is effective against a wide range of pests, including spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, and scale. It has a relatively long residual activity, making it an ideal choice for use in integrated pest management programs.

In this article, we will provide an overview of hexythiazox, including its history, mode of action, and uses.

Introduction of Acaricidal Properties of Hexythiazox

Hexythiazox is a potent insecticide that belongs to the Thiazolidinone Derivatives class of chemicals. It has strong acaricidal properties, meaning it is effective at killing mites.

It has low toxicity to adult mites but is effective against mite eggs and young mites. However, the hatching rate of eggs laid by female adult mites exposed to the pesticide is low.

The pesticide effect is relatively slow, usually reaching its peak 7～10 days after application and the duration period is 40～50 days. There is no significant difference in different temperatures.

It has little effect on crops, natural enemies, bees, and predatory mites when used at the common concentration. Inhibit spraying high concentration to tender leaves in the condition of high temperature and humidity. The main pesticide formulations are 5%EC and 5%WP.

History of Hexythiazox

Hexythiazox was first synthesized in 1963 by Japanese chemist Sadaharu Takada. Hexythiazox was first registered for use in the United States in 1967 and it was not until the 1970s that it began to be used as an insecticide. The compound is produced commercially by a number of companies, including BASF and Bayer. and it is now registered for use in over 60 countries.

Uses for Hexythiazox

Hexythiazox is most commonly used in agriculture, but it can also be used in gardens, greenhouses, and public parks. Hexythiazox is typically applied as a foliar spray, but it can also be applied as a seed treatment or as a soil drench.

The main uses for hexythiazox are:

● Fruit tree pest mites

Hexythiazox is a powerful tool for fruit tree growers, as it is effective against a wide range of pests. In northern orchards, it can control apple whole claw mites and hawthorn leaf mites, and also has good results against two-spotted leaf mites. Mite eggs, nymphs, and adults are typically concentrated just before and after apple trees flower in spring.

However, during summer the rapid reproduction rate of mites results in large numbers of adult mites, making Hexythiazox less effective in the short term. To improve its efficacy, Hexythiazox should be mixed with acaricides that have high activity against mites.

This pesticide should be used sparingly on date trees, as it can cause severe leaf loss. To prevent resistance in pest mites, Hexythiazox should only be used once yearly.

● Tea garden tea short-whiskered mites, coffee claw mites

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of tea short-whiskered mites, coffee claw mites, and other listed pests. It works by inhibiting the mites’ ability to produce energy, causing them to starve to death.

Hexythiazox is most effective when applied to infested plants early in the growing season. Use 40~50ml of 5% emulsion per mu, 1500～2000 times liquid for water, and spray on the tea plant’s mature leaves and old leaves.

● Mulberry garden red spiders

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Mulberry garden red spiders. Generally, use 5% emulsion 2000～4000 times liquid spray.

● Cotton red spiders

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Cotton red spiders. Use 60～80ml of 5% emulsion per mu, water 60～75kg, and spray.

● Vegetable leaf mites

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Vegetable leaf mites. Generally, Use 60～100ml of 5% emulsion per mu, after adding water, and spray.

● Soybean and peanut red spiders

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Soybean and peanut red spiders. Use 60～100ml of 5% emulsion per mu, 40～50kg of water, and then spray.

● Corn leaf mites

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Corn leaf mites. Spray with 5% emulsion 1500～2000 times liquid.

● Red spiders on flowers

Hexythiazox is an effective insecticide for the control of Red spiders on flowers. Spray with 5% emulsion 2500～3000 times liquid.

Precautions while using Hexythiazox

While Hexythiazox is generally considered safe, there are some precautions that should be taken when using it.

Hexythiazox can be used as part of a Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate and quicklime), lime-sulfur mixture, or in conjunction with other acaricides such as abamectin, fenpropathrin, and pyridazole. It should not be mixed with pyrethroid, diazinon, or methidathion.

Mites that are resistant to organophosphorus insecticides and acaricides like fenpropathrin will not be resistant to Hexythiazox. Pest control is achieved when the mite comes into contact with the residue either by walking on treated surfaces or by laying eggs on treated surfaces.

The active ingredient interferes with the mite’s ability to produce chitin, which is a key component of its exoskeleton. Apply Hexythiazox when 10-25% of the mite eggs have hatched in spring, and there are no adults present. Or, mix it with another miticide that is effective against adult mites but does not kill eggs, such as dimethoate.

It’s important to note that Hexythiazox will not affect Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead, so take care to look out for red spiders when using this product.