The DUPONT™ product CORAGEN^®, (chlorantraniliprole) was labeled for use to control insects in flue-cured tobacco production in the United States in 2010. Coragen^® is recommended for use on tobacco to control tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and tobacco splitworm (potato tuberworm) (Phthorimaea operculella).

The primary application method of Coragen^® is as an additive to the water applied at transplanting to provide for uptake by the plants giving systemic control of worms feeding on the plant for as much as 49 days after transplanting. Foliar applications are also labeled.

Research trials have been conducted in Georgia in 2010, 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the use of Coragen^® for control of a variety of worms which attack tobacco. Both University of Georgia Experiment Station trials and on-farm trials with commercial tobacco producers have demonstrated the effectiveness of Coragen^® applied with the water at transplanting and foliar applications for control of tobacco budworms, cutworms and most recently tobacco splitworms.

Trials have evaluated tobacco budworm control for Coragen^® and other labeled insecticides using foliar applications.

Although populations of tobacco budworms and tobacco hornworms occur annually and require management by tobacco growers, the occurrence of cutworms and tobacco splitworm varies with the season. Cutworm and splitworm populations have recently been encountered in areas where trials have been conducted and valuable data have been accumulated on these insects as well.

Tobacco producers who have used Coragen^® have found that the transplant water application allows them time to plant other crops after transplanting tobacco without intensive scouting of their tobacco during the early season and with assurance that worms are being controlled. Many growers have reduced their early season insecticide applications by two to four applications as a result of the transplant water application.

Experience gained during research trials and working with commercial growers has helped gain a better understanding of the impact of soil moisture conditions following the application of Coragen^® in the transplant water.