Enhance Your Defense: The MVP of Insecticides Is Here

(Sponsored) Greenhouse operations face many challenges in protecting ornamental crops throughout the growing season. As temperatures rise and humidity fluctuates, greenhouses and nurseries become ideal environments for the most difficult-to-control insect pests including mites, thrips, leafminers, beetles and more. 

While pest identification and prevention are critical for controlling and stopping damage before it negatively impacts the crop’s value, using an effective rotational program is just as important. Many insects are becoming harder to control because of resistance to existing insecticides.

After more than a decade in development, Vykenda™ insecticide/miticide, powered by PLINAZOLIN® technology, provides the first active ingredient (AI) for the ornamental market in a new class of chemistry, IRAC Group 30. It has no known resistance or cross-resistance to other insecticides, making it a powerful tool for resistance management.

The Top Draft Pick for Greenhouse Growers

Vykenda represents the first broad-spectrum insecticide of its kind, featuring a mode of action that acts through contact and ingestion to rapidly stop feeding and provide residual control of the most challenging insects, including:

• • Black vine weevils
  • Caterpillars
  • Flea beetles (including red-headed flea beetles)
  • Japanese beetles
  • Leafminers (all life stages)
  • Mealybugs (suppression)
  • Mites (all life stages)
  • Thrips
  • Psyllids

 Identify Common Insects and Early Signs of Damage

Mites

Mites are common spring pests that feed on plants. As the weather warms, two-spotted mites wake up and feed on the undersides of plant leaves. Additionally, broad mites emerge, feeding on the young tissue as its unfolding. Early symptoms appear as white-speckled stippling towards the top of plants. Since mites can overlap generations and developmental stages, they can be difficult to control once established and often require multiple insecticide treatments.

Thrips

Thrips are tiny insects that feed on pollen, flower petals and tender plant tissue, causing leaf stippling, scarring and distortion. Some species transmit viruses like impatiens necrotic spot virus and tomato-spotted wilt virus. Because of their short lifecycles and ability to hide, preventive insecticide applications are recommended to manage thrips and prevent damage.

Leafminers

Leafminer larvae tunnel through leaves, creating translucent or discolored trails. Untreated damage reduces photosynthesis, weakens the plant and can lead to stunted growth, premature leaf drop and increased disease susceptibility.

Beetles

Leaf-feeding beetles, like Japanese beetles and red-headed flea beetles, become a larger threat as spring transitions to summer, causing destruction to plants and rendering crops unsaleable. Active from May to August, they feed on over 300 plant species, creating a “skeletonized” appearance by chewing holes in leaves.

Round Out Your Lineup with Vykenda

Vykenda can be sprayed on all ornamental crops, including edible crops such as vegetables, fruit and nut trees, vines and small fruits grown for retail sales in greenhouses and nurseries, as well as residential and commercial landscapes. With no signal word on the label and minimal PPE required, Vykenda also provides growers with excellent worker safety. 

Use rates: 

• Leafminers: 4-6 fl. oz./100 gal.
• Mites: 4-8 fl. oz./100 gal.
• Thrips, Flea beetles, Psyllids: 6.8-10.3 fl. oz./100 gal.
• Caterpillars: 8-10.3 fl. oz./100 gal. 
• 24.6 fl. oz./A is the maximum labeled rate per year with a minimum application interval of 7 days

All-Star Combo for a Winning Season

Additionally, with no known resistance or cross resistance to other insecticides, Vykenda makes an excellent rotation partner with Mainspring® GNL insecticide, which is well-known for its proven control of sucking pests like whiteflies and aphids. The ability to rotate Vykenda with Mainspring GNL provides growers with a complete insecticide solution to control nearly all common insects. 

Unexpected challenges can arise at any stage of production. Prepare ahead of time with an effective insecticide rotation that incorporates Vykenda for long-lasting protection and reliable control of difficult pests.  

Learn more at GreenCastOnline.com/Vykenda or download a proven agronomic program at GreenCastOnline.com/Solutions All photos are either the property of Syngenta or used with permission. 

© 2026 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. GreenCast®, Mainspring®, PLINAZOLIN®, Vykenda™ and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective third-party owners.