Field efficacy trials were conducted in 1989-91 to determine the insecticidal activity of PIRATE™ (AC 303,630), the lead candidate of a new class of compounds known as the pyrroles, against the major insect and mite pests of cotton. PIRATE(TM) applied at 0.03-0.50 lb ai/acre provided commercially acceptable control of Heliothis virescens, Helicoverpa zea, Spodoptera exigua, Tricholplusia ni, Pseudoplusia includens, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Tetranychus urticae, T. cinnabarinus, Frankliniella fusca, F. occidentalis, and Sericothrips variabilis. PIRATE provided control of pyrethroid-resistant H. virescens. When applied on a typical Heliothis/Heiicoverpa spray regime, PIRATE insecticide provided suppression of Anthonomus grandis.

Results from these studies suggest hat PIRATE has the potential to effectively control the major insect and mite pest species in cotton. The uniqueness of chemistry and mode of action possessed by PIRATE make it a potential candidate for utilization in insecticide resistance management programs.