Professionals in the horticulture
industry have a new but safe addition to their arsenal of integrated pest
management products. This product is a
relatively new release for controlling insects such as caterpillars, thrips,
leaf miners, dry wood termites and fire ants, and even some leaf feeding
beetles while leaving most beneficial insects unharmed. Spinosad would be an
excellent choice to use in rotatation with other organic controls for
caterpillars such as Bt (Bacillus
thuriengensis, Dipel™, Thuricide™).
industry have a new but safe addition to their arsenal of integrated pest
management products. This product is a
relatively new release for controlling insects such as caterpillars, thrips,
leaf miners, dry wood termites and fire ants, and even some leaf feeding
beetles while leaving most beneficial insects unharmed. Spinosad would be an
excellent choice to use in rotatation with other organic controls for
caterpillars such as Bt (Bacillus
thuriengensis, Dipel™, Thuricide™).
 |
| Even though it is not obvious, this container of Fertilom’s Borer, Bagworm, Leafminter & Tent Caterpillar Spray contains spinosad. You would know that if you read the label of ingredients. |
Spinosad
has demonstrated good control of Western flower thrips during trials at the
and Water Conservation. Initial tests on
grapes showed some level of activity on immature leafhoppers. This insecticide will be listed in the
ingredients of a pesticide label as Spinosad (pronounced spy’ no sid).
Spinosad has been categorized safe
enough by USDA to be used as a product suitable for organic production, labeled
for about 200 horticultural plant types including landscape plants and food
crops. What is different about this
product is that it launches a totally new category of products to be used for
controlling insects.
enough by USDA to be used as a product suitable for organic production, labeled
for about 200 horticultural plant types including landscape plants and food
crops. What is different about this
product is that it launches a totally new category of products to be used for
controlling insects.
Spinosad is derived from a class of soil
microorganisms called Actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are no longer classed as fungi
or bacteria, as they were previously, but have characteristics common to
both. Actinomycetes play a very major
role in the decomposition of organic matter. These microorganisms convert raw
material to humus and are responsible for releasing geosmin, the chemical identified with that “earthy smell” common to
high quality composts.
microorganisms called Actinomycetes. Actinomycetes are no longer classed as fungi
or bacteria, as they were previously, but have characteristics common to
both. Actinomycetes play a very major
role in the decomposition of organic matter. These microorganisms convert raw
material to humus and are responsible for releasing geosmin, the chemical identified with that “earthy smell” common to
high quality composts.
 |
| This is also Spinosad. But you would never know by looking at the label. This is Monterey Chemical Company’s version of spinosad. Again, to know this you would have to look at the active ingredients or see in the upper right hand corner of the label that this formulation contains spinosad. |
Spinosad is derived from fermentation
products, called spinosyns, produced
by one or more mutants of the naturally occurring Actinomycete, Saccharopolyspora
spinosa. This
microorganism was a chance discovery at an abandoned rum distillery by a
microbiologist visiting the
vegetative base used to grow S. spinosa
is submerged in an aerated liquid containing proteins,
carbohydrates, oils, corn solids, cottonseed flour, soybean flour, glucose,
methyl oleate, and calcium carbonate and other minerals.
When
the S. spinosa is allowed to grow aerobically in an aqueous growth medium,
it produces a number of different byproducts including several different
spinosyns. The spinosyns are large complex molecules containing mostly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Technically, Spinosad is a
combination of spinosyns A (85%) and D (15%) which creates a pesticide that does
not conform to any previous class of insecticide; chemical or biological.
the S. spinosa is allowed to grow aerobically in an aqueous growth medium,
it produces a number of different byproducts including several different
spinosyns. The spinosyns are large complex molecules containing mostly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Technically, Spinosad is a
combination of spinosyns A (85%) and D (15%) which creates a pesticide that does
not conform to any previous class of insecticide; chemical or biological.
Actinomycetes are not strangers to us
when talking about pest control.
Byproducts from one of the Actinomycetes, a subgroup called Streptomycetes, is responsible for
giving us antibiotics such as actinomycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and
neomycin leading to the only Nobel Prize ever given to a soil scientist, Dr.
Selman Waksman in 1952.
when talking about pest control.
Byproducts from one of the Actinomycetes, a subgroup called Streptomycetes, is responsible for
giving us antibiotics such as actinomycin, tetracycline, streptomycin, and
neomycin leading to the only Nobel Prize ever given to a soil scientist, Dr.
Selman Waksman in 1952.
Byproducts from these soil
microorganisms have been used by all of us to treat bacterial infections in
animals and humans. We still use a
streptomycin product, Agri Strep®, for controlling fireblight in
commercial apple and pear orchards.
microorganisms have been used by all of us to treat bacterial infections in
animals and humans. We still use a
streptomycin product, Agri Strep®, for controlling fireblight in
commercial apple and pear orchards.
Actinomycetes are also nitrogen
fixers. Just like the other nitrogen fixers more common to us, the Rhizobia
types associated with legumes, Actinomycetes convert atmospheric nitrogen into
a form of nitrogen which can be used by plants. Actinomycetes form
associations with the roots of some non-leguminous plants such as bitterbrush,
mountain mahogany, cliffrose, and ceanothus and “fix” nitrogen from the air,
making this nitrogen available to its host and other plants in the near
vicinity.
fixers. Just like the other nitrogen fixers more common to us, the Rhizobia
types associated with legumes, Actinomycetes convert atmospheric nitrogen into
a form of nitrogen which can be used by plants. Actinomycetes form
associations with the roots of some non-leguminous plants such as bitterbrush,
mountain mahogany, cliffrose, and ceanothus and “fix” nitrogen from the air,
making this nitrogen available to its host and other plants in the near
vicinity.
Unlike
some other pesticides, Spinosad degrades in the environment to its natural
components of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. However, this degradation
is quite slow compared to biologicals like Bacillus
thuriengensis (Bt; Dipel™, Thuricide™). The leaching potential of Spinosad
is very low and so does not pose a threat to groundwater when used properly and
no buffer zones are required by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. Persistence after application can range from 5 to 10 days. However, it
may persist longer in aquatic environments.
some other pesticides, Spinosad degrades in the environment to its natural
components of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. However, this degradation
is quite slow compared to biologicals like Bacillus
thuriengensis (Bt; Dipel™, Thuricide™). The leaching potential of Spinosad
is very low and so does not pose a threat to groundwater when used properly and
no buffer zones are required by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. Persistence after application can range from 5 to 10 days. However, it
may persist longer in aquatic environments.
The principal method of entry into insects
is orally, by ingestion. So leaf feeding insects are more likely controlled
than those which typically “suck” plant juices. At the Center, we have been
using weekly applications to control flower thrips and leafhopper nymphs.
is orally, by ingestion. So leaf feeding insects are more likely controlled
than those which typically “suck” plant juices. At the Center, we have been
using weekly applications to control flower thrips and leafhopper nymphs.
Spinosad’s potential for chronic toxicities such as
certain forms of cancer, is also quite low. It has been demonstrated that it is
not carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, or neurotoxic. EPA puts Spinosad in the “caution” category
of pesticides but with an LD50 of over 5,000 it is practically
nontoxic to mammals and birds. It has wide margins of safety to many beneficial
insects such as green lacewings, Lady Bird beetles, minute pirate bugs, and
only slightly toxic to fish.
certain forms of cancer, is also quite low. It has been demonstrated that it is
not carcinogenic, teratogenic, mutagenic, or neurotoxic. EPA puts Spinosad in the “caution” category
of pesticides but with an LD50 of over 5,000 it is practically
nontoxic to mammals and birds. It has wide margins of safety to many beneficial
insects such as green lacewings, Lady Bird beetles, minute pirate bugs, and
only slightly toxic to fish.
Spinosad does provide some control of leaf miners.
Although not classed as a systemic inseciticide it does cross the laminar
covering of leaves and can penetrate to just below the leaf surface where leaf
miners are feeding.
Although not classed as a systemic inseciticide it does cross the laminar
covering of leaves and can penetrate to just below the leaf surface where leaf
miners are feeding.
One drawback is its potential toxicity to
honeybees. Although not as toxic as many
other insecticides, Spinosad has been classed in the highly toxic category but
drops considerably after the product has dried on leaf surfaces. Early morning
applications before bees fly or early evening applications after bees have
returned to their nests would be ideal times of application.
honeybees. Although not as toxic as many
other insecticides, Spinosad has been classed in the highly toxic category but
drops considerably after the product has dried on leaf surfaces. Early morning
applications before bees fly or early evening applications after bees have
returned to their nests would be ideal times of application.
The mode of action of Spinosad is similar to other
pesticides which attack the nervous system and is very quick acting compared to
other biologicals or natural products.
pesticides which attack the nervous system and is very quick acting compared to
other biologicals or natural products.
Even though a low probability of resistance
development was speculated, there has been insect resistance already noted inHawaii
diamondback moth. Resistance management,
alternating applications with other products to achieve pest control, is
recommended to avoid the development of future resistance.
This article was written by Bob Morris and previously published in Southwest Trees and Turf.
development was speculated, there has been insect resistance already noted in
diamondback moth. Resistance management,
alternating applications with other products to achieve pest control, is
recommended to avoid the development of future resistance.
This article was written by Bob Morris and previously published in Southwest Trees and Turf.
I have used spinosad to control out of control grape skeletinizers which can destroy a new grapevine if they get on the march before you notice them (otherwise BTK and leaf picking/removing affected area is a better control option).
It is amazingly effective, paralyzing larvae within hours where they remain and desiccate.
Two things: I believe spinosad created by fermentation can be labeled as an organic pesticide while spinosad synthesized–even though identical–cannot be so classified.
I believe spinosad is rather photolabile. I consider that a huge benefit—I can spray it on in emergencies and get the stopping effect with subsequent death almost immediately that I want and residual will go away fairly quickly. Commercial growers are probably less thrilled with this. As was stated, bees are somewhat sensitive, spray early or late (my recommendation) when they are not around.
It is hard to find preparations with spinosad in Phoenix nurseries. I found some slug bait that used it and soaks a a bunch in water for several hours before filtering through cheesecloth and spraying with a spray bottle. Worked great, but a pain and unknown dosage—probably violating some environmental laws as well but that just makes it fun. Ordered a pint from GrowOrganic http://www.groworganic.com/monterey-garden-insect-spray-pint.html that day and at 1 1/2 tbsp per 16 oz water dilution it will last a while. Good to have on hand NOW for emergencies.