FACT SHEET - BASF Versys Insecticide for Growers - 220607

Grower Versys Aphids

Get ready for a major win

[Image: A person standing in a field with arms raised in celebration]

Versys Insecticide

---

5-Star Control Versys Aphids

Versys is a very potent and targeted insecticide which maximises control with reduced environmental impact. If there was a rating system for insecticides based on their value to growers, Versys would score a maximum 5 stars:

15 minutes to success The chordotonal organs marked on the diagram are stretch sensors that insects rely on for hearing and balance. Versys disrupts the signals they send and makes target pests so disoriented they stop feeding in about 15 minutes as they become unable to control their legs and antennae. The resulting jittery movements can then create the appearance of ‘dancing’.

[Diagram of an insect showing:] Antennae React to: • Air motion • Gravity • Sound

Joints React to: • Muscle contraction • Movement

---

Applying Versys

Versys is especially effective against aphids, but also has a registration for suppression of silverleaf whitefly.

Target pests Control:

• Green peach aphid
• Cabbage aphid
• Currant lettuce aphid
• Cotton aphid
• Melon aphid

Suppression:

• Silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) Biotype B

Crops

• Brassicas: Including broccoli, broccolini, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower and kohlrabi
• Leafy brassicas: Including bok choy, chinese cabbage, choy sum, gai lan, kale, leafy mustard, pak choy and rocket
• Celery
• Cucurbits: Including melons, zucchinis, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash
• Fruiting vegetables: Including capsicum, chillies, eggplants, okra and tomatoes
• Leafy vegetables: Including chard (silver beet), cress and spinach
• Lettuces: Both head and leafy
• Parsley
• Potatoes and sweet potatoes
• Cotton
• Ginger
• Ornamentals

Rates

• Aphids: 100 mL/ha in at least 200 L/ha water
• SLWF: 350 mL/ha + 0.2% v/v Hasten in at least 200 L/ha water

Other guidelines:

• Monitor pest pressure and apply when pest thresholds are reached
• Early application will limit the transmission of viruses like cucumber mosaic virus
• Do not apply more than 4 sprays per crop with a maximum of 2 sprays at the higher rate
• Versys is an ideal first spray or following a seed treatment or plant drench application for aphid control
• Versys can be used in rotation with other insecticides to control SLWF
• Versys can be used through flowering, but should not be applied when bees are actively foraging.

Control on both sides of the leaf [Diagram showing Versys sprayed on top of the leaf, with translaminar movement through the leaf and acropetal activity moving Versys down towards the leaf tip] Versys has translaminar movement that can help control insects sheltering on the underside of the leaf, provided the water volume is high enough to ensure thorough coverage.

---

Key Versys Advantages

• ✓ New mode of action subcategory to help manage resistance
• ✓ Low impact on beneficial insects and pollinator insects such as bees
• ✓ Rapid feeding cessation to minimise virus transmission
• ✓ Affects all aphid life stages from eggs to adults
• ✓ Short WHPs for late control – 1 day in most vegetable crops, 7 days for potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger and cotton, and 0 days for ornamentals
• ✓ High levels of residual control for up to 21 days

Resistance management Versys is in a new chemical subclass and has been classified as a Group 9D insecticide for resistance management. No more than 4 Versys sprays – with a maximum of 2 sprays at the higher rate – should be applied per crop. Versys should always be used in rotation with insecticides with different modes of action.

For more information, visit **** or contact your local BASF representative

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS BEFORE USING ANY PRODUCT IN THIS GROWER GUIDE. © Copyright BASF 2018 ® Registered trademark of BASF W219454 05.2018