Spring Peas & Beans: Pest management – May 2020

Spring sown crops should be checked for pea and bean weevil damage.

The damage is very distinctive – notches eaten out of the sides of leaves.  If the growing points of plants are being attacked then a pyrethroid insecticide treatment may be worthwhile.  Several products are approved and they include Contest, Toppel 10, Decis Protech, Hallmark, and Fury.  Note that weevil resistance to pyrethroid insecticides has been found in England.  If there are any signs of poor control of weevils after a pyrethroid treatment please contact your agronomist or farm advisor who can arrange for weevils to be tested for resistance.