PHI for Common Vineyard Insecticides: Quick Reference

By VitiScribe Editorial·May 12, 2025·Updated July 17, 2025

PHI for vineyard insecticides ranges from 0 days for some biologicals to 21 days for some systemics -- a range wide enough that confusing products near harvest can cost you your crop. VitiScribe populates PHI automatically from label data so you never need to look up a reference table before making a late-season application decision. But understanding the PHI values for products you commonly use is basic professional knowledge that every vineyard manager should have.

This reference covers the most commonly used insecticides in US vineyard IPM programs. PHI values listed here are based on current federal labels -- always confirm PHI on the specific product label before applying, as labels can change between seasons.

TL;DR

Admire Pro (imidacloprid, IRAC Group 4A) carries a 21-day PHI in grapes -- the longest of any commonly used vineyard insecticide -- which makes it impractical for mealybug management in early-harvest Chardonnay blocks where Movento (7-day PHI) is a better alternative for late-season crawler applications
Altacor and Coragen (chlorantraniliprole, IRAC Group 28) carry a 5-day PHI -- the shortest PHI among diamides, making them the preferred diamide option when GBM management extends close to harvest
Warrior II (lambda-cyhalothrin, IRAC Group 3A pyrethroids) has a 21-day PHI in grapes and high bee toxicity -- the long PHI and pollinator risk make late-season pyrethroid use in vineyards a significant PHI and bee protection compliance issue
The practical 0-day PHI insecticide options in vineyards are limited to pyrethrin products (Pyganic), insecticidal soaps, and kaolin clay -- none of which provide efficacy equivalent to registered synthetic insecticides for most target pests
When two products with different PHIs are applied to the same block within the same season, the harvest window is determined by the last application of the most restrictive PHI product -- not by the earlier application or the less restrictive product
IRAC Group 28 diamide resistance has been confirmed in GBM populations in some eastern US regions where chlorantraniliprole has been applied heavily without rotation -- resistance management in GBM programs requires rotating to Group 5 spinosyns (Delegate, Entrust) between diamide applications

Diamide Insecticides (IRAC Group 28)

Altacor WG (chlorantraniliprole): 5-day PHI in grapes. One of the most widely used GBM and leafhopper materials. Excellent residual activity. Resistance in GBM has been documented in some eastern US vineyards.

Belt SC (flubendiamide): 7-day PHI in grapes. Caterpillar management. Excellent residual activity. Also has some efficacy against leafhopper nymphs.

Coragen (chlorantraniliprole): 5-day PHI in grapes. Same active ingredient as Altacor in a liquid formulation.

Spinosyn Insecticides (IRAC Group 5)

Delegate WG (spinetoram): 7-day PHI in grapes. Excellent activity against GBM crawlers and leafhoppers. Lower resistance risk than diamides in most current vineyard populations.

Entrust SC (spinosad): 7-day PHI in grapes. OMRI-listed for organic programs. Same mode of action as Delegate. Effective against GBM and some leafhopper species.

Neonicotinoid Insecticides (IRAC Group 4A)

Admire Pro (imidacloprid): 21-day PHI in grapes. The longest PHI of commonly used vineyard insecticides. Most commonly applied as a soil drench for mealybug crawler management. The 21-day PHI substantially limits its use in early-harvest varieties.

Venom 70 SG (dinotefuran): 7-day PHI in grapes. Soil or foliar application for mealybug and leafhopper management.

Assail 70WP (acetamiprid): 7-day PHI in grapes. Foliar or soil application. Effective against mealybug and leafhoppers.

Spirotetramat (IRAC Group 23)

Movento 240SC (spirotetramat): 7-day PHI in grapes. Systemic with bidirectional movement in plant tissue -- highly effective against mealybug crawlers. Must be applied with a penetrant/spreader adjuvant for uptake. The 7-day PHI makes it usable closer to harvest than Admire Pro.

Organophosphate Insecticides (IRAC Group 1)

Imidan 70-W (phosmet): 7-day PHI in grapes. Long history in vineyard insect management. REI is 24 hours. Effective against leafhoppers and GBM.

Lorsban Advanced (chlorpyrifos): Check current registration status in your state -- California has notable restrictions. 24-hour REI and the longest REIs of common vineyard organophosphates. PHI in grapes is 21 days (check label for current status and formulation-specific values).

Pyrethroid Insecticides (IRAC Group 3)

Warrior II (lambda-cyhalothrin): 21-day PHI in grapes. 24-hour REI. Effective against a broad range of insects. High bee toxicity -- avoid during bloom and when bees are foraging. The long PHI limits late-season use.

Brigade 2EC (bifenthrin): PHI varies by formulation -- check label. Effective against mealybug and leafhopper adults. REI 12 hours.

Insect Growth Regulators (IRAC Group 7C)

Esteem Ant Bait / Esteem WP (pyriproxyfen): 7-day PHI in grapes. Insect growth regulator that disrupts mealybug development. Most effective against eggs and young crawlers.

Mite Management Crossover Products

Note: Several miticides used in vineyards (Agri-Mek, Acramite, Envidor) are sometimes classified alongside insecticides in records but target primarily spider mites. Their PHI values are covered in a separate reference; include them in your rotation planning when they're part of your insect/mite program.

0-Day PHI Insecticides for Near-Harvest Use

If you need to make an insecticide application close to harvest -- within 7-14 days of your target pick date -- your options are limited. Materials with 0-day PHI in grapes include:

Pyganic EC 1.4 / EC 5.0 (pyrethrin): OMRI-listed. Short residual activity. Multiple applications needed.

M-Pede / other insecticidal soaps (potassium salts of fatty acids): 0-day PHI. Contact activity only -- effective against soft-bodied insects and crawlers when directly contacted.

Kaolin clay (Surround WP): 0-day PHI. OMRI-listed. Physical barrier and deterrent rather than contact kill.

Using This Information with VitiScribe

VitiScribe's spray log populates PHI automatically when you select a product from the product library. You don't need to look up a reference table each time -- the system calculates the harvest clearance date and displays it on your block dashboard when you log an application.

When you're planning a late-season insecticide application, VitiScribe will show you the harvest clearance date for that product against your expected harvest date for the block. If the application would result in a PHI conflict, the system flags the issue before you go to the field -- not after you've already applied. See PHI and REI auto-calculation in VitiScribe.

The value of automated PHI calculation isn't just convenience -- it's error prevention at the moment of application. Manual PHI errors are a leading cause of pre-harvest interval violations, and the consequence of a PHI violation can range from DPR citation to full crop rejection by your winery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PHI for Delegate insecticide in vineyards?

Delegate WG (spinetoram, IRAC Group 5) has a 7-day pre-harvest interval in grapes. This PHI applies to all uses in grapes regardless of target pest -- GBM, leafhopper, or any other labeled use. If you apply Delegate and your intended harvest date is within 7 days of application, you'll need to either delay harvest or skip the application. Always confirm PHI on the current product label, as label updates can change PHI values between seasons.

What is the PHI for Admire insecticide in vineyards?

Admire Pro (imidacloprid, IRAC Group 4A) has a 21-day pre-harvest interval in grapes -- the longest PHI of commonly used vineyard insecticides. This means that if you apply Admire Pro in late August, you must wait at least 21 days before harvest in that block. For early-harvest varieties (some sparkling wine Chardonnay picks begin in August), this PHI can make Admire Pro impractical for late-season mealybug management. In those situations, Movento (7-day PHI) or Delegate (7-day PHI) are better choices for late-season crawler management.

What insecticides have a 0-day PHI for vineyard use near harvest?

Very few effective insecticides carry a 0-day PHI in grapes. The primary options are pyrethrin-based products (Pyganic EC 1.4 and EC 5.0) with OMRI listing for organic programs, insecticidal soaps (M-Pede and similar products), and kaolin clay (Surround WP). None of these provide the same level of efficacy as registered synthetic insecticides for most target pests. If you find yourself in a position where you need insect management within a week of harvest, consider whether the pest level actually warrants an application or whether the remaining damage risk is acceptable given the constraints.

How should a vineyard manager document an insecticide PHI decision when a winery requests early harvest and an open spray event is inside the PHI window?

When a winery requests harvest earlier than planned and an insecticide application with a 7-day or 21-day PHI would fall inside the revised harvest date, document the timeline and the options considered. The spray record should show the application date and product PHI. A note attached to the block record documenting the winery's harvest request date and the PHI status at that date creates the decision record. Options at that point are: harvest on the originally planned date (if outside the PHI), delay harvest until the PHI clears (if the winery will accept a later date), or hold the fruit and request residue testing (though PHI compliance is a label requirement independent of residue test results). Contact your PCA for guidance when a harvest date change creates a PHI conflict. VitiScribe's harvest clearance dashboard shows PHI status in real time as you adjust harvest dates, so the conflict is visible before you commit to an accelerated pick.

What records should be kept for insecticide applications targeting mealybug in leafroll-positive blocks to satisfy both state compliance and winery buyer documentation requests?

For blocks with confirmed leafroll virus, mealybug management records should include the pest observation that triggered the application (crawler count, sticky tape trap result, or adult count from field scouting), the specific mealybug species observed where determinable (grape mealybug, vine mealybug, or obscure mealybug have different management implications), the product applied with IRAC group and PHI, and whether the application rationale includes leafroll virus vector management as a stated purpose. California DPR records require pest target specificity -- "vine mealybug, leafroll vector management" is more complete than "mealybug." Winery buyers reviewing IPM records for sustainability programs will look for the connection between the mealybug observation, the vector management rationale, and the product choice.

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Sources

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC)
UC Cooperative Extension Viticulture
American Vineyard Foundation
Wine Institute

Get Started with VitiScribe

Vineyard insecticide PHI management -- across products ranging from 0-day (pyrethrin) to 21-day (Admire Pro, pyrethroids), with harvest dates that shift during the season -- creates harvest clearance calculations that are difficult to track manually and where PHI violations lead to DPR citations and potential crop rejection. VitiScribe populates insecticide PHI from the label database automatically, calculates harvest clearance dates per application per block, and flags PHI conflicts when harvest dates are updated after applications have been made. Try VitiScribe free and see your current insecticide PHI clearance status across all active blocks today.