This article has been adapted from an article written by Dr. Christelle Guédot, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and published in the Cranberry Crop Management Journal – Volume 35, Issue 1

Fanfare is a not a new insecticide, having been first registered with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in 1985, but it is new to the cranberry industry. Fanfare is the second pyrethroid that can be applied to cranberry, with Danitol being the first. Fanfare is registered for use in Wisconsin on several crops including bushberries, caneberries, grapes, pears, and strawberries, yet cranberry is NOT on the label. Fanfare received a supplemental label specifically for cranberry in 2021 and this will expire in December 2024 unless it is renewed by the registrant. Fanfare is marketed by Adama Essentials under the formulations EC or ES with 2 lbs of active ingredient per gallon as an Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) or Suspension Concentrate (ES). Adama will likely work to get cranberry added to the label but in the meantime, every grower that purchased and plans to use Fanfare this season MUST have the supplemental label (in addition to the label) in hand as cranberry is not on the official label.

Mode of action and effect. The active ingredient in Fanfare is bifenthrin. Fanfare is in the class of the pyrethroids (IRAC group 3), which have a mode of action that targets the sodium channels on the axon of the neurons. Pyrethroids cause a prolonged depolarization of the neuron from a prolonged influx of sodium into the neurons, leading to repetitive nerve activity that can result in hyperexcitation, paralysis, and death. Fanfare is an insecticide with foliar activity that is fast acting by contact or ingestion of treated plant surfaces. Affected insects will rapidly stop feeding, become paralyzed, and eventually die.

Fanfare has broad spectrum activity on several insect species, found on the supplemental label for cranberry, including fruitworms, tipworm, fireworms, spanworms, flea beetle and white grub adults. In our trials in NJ, Fanfare was very effective at controlling leafhoppers. Leafhoppers are not specifically mentioned as target pests on the supplemental label; however, in NJ, you are allowed to use products on pests not present on the label, as long as the product is labeled for the crop you are applying it to.

Application restrictions. Fanfare may be applied by ground equipment, chemigation, and air, and specific recommendations are provided for the different application methods regarding direction for use, spray drift requirements, and buffer zones. Buffer zones from aquatic habitats are specifically stated in the label, with a minimum 10-foot wide vegetative strip of grass or other permanent vegetation between the field edge and aquatic habitats. For more information on mixing and spraying, and all other considerations, please see the product label.

Environmental impacts. Fanfare is extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates and cannot be applied directly to water. It must be used with care (see buffer zones restrictions) when applying in areas adjacent to bodies of water. Fanfare is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on blooming plants. Do not apply Fanfare when bees are foraging and until flowering is complete. The label also emphasizes the risk to endangered species and prohibits the use of bifenthrin in areas that could result in exposure to endangered species.

Recommendations. Overall, Fanfare is recommended against leafhoppers before bloom to target leafhopper nymphs. The reason for this recommendation is that we already have great products to target other insect pests at our disposal that have much lesser impacts on the beneficial insects, including pollinators and natural enemies of these pests. The environmental concerns raised above and the acute toxicity of this compound play an important role in recommending limiting the use of Fanfare to a single pre-bloom application to minimize pesticide residues and environmental impacts. Finally, a 3-day water holding is highly recommended when using this product to allow the product to bind to soil particles and reduce movement of the product in the water system.

Please check with your handlers before using a new product as handlers may have restrictions on certain products for domestic and/or foreign markets. Handlers may extend PHIs beyond the number of days stated on the label to reduce residues, so please always check with your handlers. As of 2022, several handlers have imposed a 120-day PHI on this product. And as always, make sure to read the labels before using any pesticide.

Resources. You can find the labels for Fanfare at the following links:

Fanfare EC Label: http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldC86005.pdf

Supplemental Label for Fanfare EC for cranberry use: http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldC86002.pdf

Fanfare ES Label: http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldB3C005.pdf

Supplemental Label for Fanfare ES for cranberry use: http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ldB3C000.pdf