New Zealand to introduce new insecticide to control tomato potato psyllid

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority has received an application to import the tripsol for use in controlling the tomato potato psyllid.

Tripsol is a novel formulation by Cheminova which has not yet registered anywhere in the world. Tripsol contains the pyrethroid insecticide acrinathrin and macrocyclic lactone insecticide abamectin. Both active ingredients are approved in the EU and abamectin is approved in New Zealand.

In its application Cheminova says the substance is of low toxicity to humans, but can be irritating to skin and eyes and acts as a contact sensitizer. Both active ingredients are toxic to aquatic organisms, bees and other arthropods.

Cheminova says the tomato potato psyllid is a major pest problem, especially in potatoes, in New Zealand. It says trials of Tripsol have proven it to be superior to other products currently on the market. It also says Tripsol would provide an alternative to some organophosphate insecticides currently used to control tomato potato psyllid.

The application is open to public comment until March 12th, 2012.