Canada to approve Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) isolate GV-0020 and Plutex

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, is proposing registration for the sale and use of PlxyGV Technical and Plutex, containing the technical grade active ingredient Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) isolate GV-0020, to control diamondback moth larvae on canola and field-grown Brassica Head and Stem Vegetables (Crop Group 5-13).

Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) isolate GV-0020 is an insect-specific virus that infects and kills larvae of the diamondback moth, an important insect pest of crop plants in the plant family Brassicaceae.

Plutex, containing Plutella xylostella granulovirus (PlxyGV) isolate GV-0020 at a minimum concentration of 2.5 × 10¹³ occlusion bodies (OBs)/L, is a microbial bio-insecticide that specifically infects and kills larvae of the diamondback moth.

The development of resistance to insecticides is a considerable problem in the diamondback moth, which makes this pest a challenge for growers of canola, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower. Plutex will provide these growers with an additional microbial bio-pesticide active ingredient for use against the diamondback moth that may be used to manage diamondback moths that are resistant to other registered active ingredients. Because Plutex contains a narrow spectrum active ingredient, it will not infect natural enemies of the diamondback moth and, consequently, may allow a degree of biological control of this pest, a key goal of integrated pest management.

An evaluation of available scientific information found that, under the approved conditions of use, the health and environmental risks and the value of the pest control products are acceptable.