AgroPages-BASF plans to launch new insecticide Inscalis to combat resistance-Agricultural news

Too much of a good thing threatens an essential tool for crop production.

The repeated application of insecticides with the same mode of action has contributed to resistance by killing susceptible insects and leaving those with a tolerance to that entire class of chemicals.

But insecticide resistance can be forestalled — and perhaps avoided altogether — by rotating pest control compounds that work through different modes of action.c

The Problem

Insecticide resistance is a global issue, affecting a variety of crops across diverse geographies. The economic impact, according to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, is estimated in the United States alone to cost $40 million per year in additional treatment expenses or alternative controls.

“Most insecticides can bind to key functional proteins in the insects to affect vital processes,” said Barbara Wedel, BASF principal scientist. “These proteins play an important role in nerve and muscle function, in respiration, but also growth and development.”

As of 2014, the most recent data available, there are 586 insects species resistant to 325 insecticides and five insecticidal traits.

“That doesn’t mean they’re not effective,” said BASF global marketing manager Jared O’Connell. “It just means they’re not as effective as they used to be, so we need to always continue push the envelope and bring new insecticide tools for our growers.”

The Solution

John Descary, marketing product manager, announced BASF plans to launch a new insecticide, Inscalis. Its active ingredient is afidopyropen.

Inscalis can control key piercing and sucking insect pests, such as aphids, whiteflies and psyllids, in row and specialty crops, as well as ornamentals.

“We feel this is a tremendous value to growers that we’ll be bringing them,” Descary said.

Pending regulatory approval, Inscalis is slated to debut during the fourth quarter of 2018.