BASF’s Versys insecticide approved for use in California crops

BASF’s Versys insecticide has received registration for use in California on a variety of crop groups, including brassicas/cole crops, leaf and stem vegetables, as well as pome fruit and stone fruit. The product was created to deliver effective control against aphids while being gentle on beneficial insects and pollinators.

“Aphids can cause serious damage to specialty crops, impacting crop quality, yield and growers’ bottom line,” says Chad Asmus, BASF Product Manager, Specialty Crop Insecticides. “Versys insecticide targets these challenging insects with a unique set of benefits now available to California growers.”

Versys insecticide is powered by the Inscalis insecticide active ingredient, a unique mode of action sub-class (IRAC 9D), which disrupts the sensory responses of target insects to quickly stop their feeding, according to BASF.

The newly available benefits of Versys insecticide to California growers include:

- Fast onset of action: Quickly stops feeding damage

- Unique mode of action class: It has been classified by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee as the only member in the new mode of action subgroup 9D

- Complements parasitic and predatory control: Preserves beneficial insects for Integrated Pest Management

- No pollinator restrictions: Offers application freedom with a pollinator compatible mindset

Versys insecticide joins its sister product Sefina Inscalis insecticide, which also controls key piercing and sucking insects in a variety of row and specialty crops, including cucurbits, fruiting vegetables, cotton and citrus. Sefina insecticide received registration for use in California in June 2020.