SPINOSAD: A NEW NATURAL PRODUCT FOR INSECT CONTROL Dow AgroSciences LLC

INNOVATION AND BENEFITS ✕ Dow developed spinosad, a highly selective, environmentally friendly insecticide made by a soil microorganism. It controls many chewing insect pests in cotton, trees, fruits, vegetables, turf, and ornamentals. Unlike traditional pesticides, it does not persist in the environment; it also has low toxicity to mammals and birds. ✕ award award

WHAT IS SPINOSAD? ✕ Spinosad is a natural substance made by a soil bacterium that can be toxic to insects. It is a mixture of two chemicals called spinosyn A and spinosyn D. It is used to control a wide variety of pests. ✕ The microorganism, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, was isolated from the soil sample, and the insecticidal activity of the spinosyns was identified. Spinosyns are unique macrocyclic lactones, containing a tetracyclic core to which two sugars are attached. ✕ Spinosad has been registered for use in pesticides by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since ✕ Spinosad affects the nervous system of insects that eat or touch it. It causes their muscles to flex uncontrollably. This leads to paralysis and ultimately their death, typically within 1-2 days.

SPINOSAD AND THE ENVIRONMENT ✕ It is rapidly broken down by sunlight ✕ In the absence of sunlight, spinosad breaks down very slowly in water. However, it binds rapidly to sediment. ✕ Spinosad also sticks to soil and has a very low potential to move through soil towards groundwater. In field studies, no breakdown products of spinosad were found below a soil depth of two feet. ✕ After it is applied, spinosad is not likely to become airborne. ✕ Spinosad is practically non-toxic to moderately toxic to fish depending on the species. It is slightly to moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates. However, spinosad is very highly toxic to eastern oysters. ✕ It is moderately toxic to earthworms. ✕ Highly toxic to bees- However, evidence suggests that spinosad has little or no effect on honey bees and other beneficial insects after sprays have dried. ✕ It does not leach, bio-accumulate, volatilize, or persist in the environment.

Effects On Insects Insects exposed to spinosad displayed lapse in muscle control. They showed a lack of coordination, tremors, and even contractions leading to paralysis and death. Many insect control products, for that reason, insect control products tend to include spinosad.

Mammalian Toxicology ✕ Non hazardous by oral, dermal, ocular, and inhalation routes. ✕ Short Term Toxicity + The oral LD50(Lethal Dose) is > 3738 mg per kg of body weight for male rats, and >5000 mg/kg bw for female rats and male/female mice. ✕ Long Term Toxicity + Spinosad has been tested in 1-2 year feeding studies involving mice, rats, and dogs. + Has not been found to cause tumors or any potential neurotoxicity. + The ADI(Acceptable Daily Intake) has been established as.02 mg/kg/day by the EPA

Ecotoxicology ✕ Spinosad is not acutely toxic to birds, wildlife, and fish. ✕ Fish and aquatic invertebrates may be sensitive to long term exposure to spinosad.

Products that contain Spinosad xCurrently, Spinosad is found in over 80 registered pesticide products. xMany of these are used on agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Others are used in and around buildings, in aquatic settings, and as seed treatments. xThese products are commonly sprays, dusts, granules, and pellets x

Use for the average home gardener “how can we protect our trees in a way that is safe for ourselves, our families and pets and the wild creatures that share our gardens?...” “Crabapples do need regular water and occasional spraying to control fungus diseases like scab, and for edible ones, spraying with Spinosad to control coddling moth” Used by the home gardener to get rid of Citrus Leaf Minor, a larva whom tear through and wither citrus tree leaves showing-spring-color.html

“I wait until just before dark when the bees have stopped foraging, and with a small hand sprayer, apply spinosad only to the new leaves that are beginning to emerge in the canopy. I also wait for a calm evening with no wind, so that it doesn’t drift to other plants. Once dry, spinosad toxicity to bees is negligible, so by morning when the bees are again active, little danger to them remains.” One homeowner finds a balance to use spinosad to protect trees and prevent bees from toxicity

BIBLIOGRAPHY ✕ tial-green-chemistry-challenge-1999-designing- greener-chemicals-award tial-green-chemistry-challenge-1999-designing- greener-chemicals-award ✕ ml ml