New Zealand calls for comments on two new insecticides

The New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has received application from DuPont to import two new insecticides, Benevia and Exirel. Both products contain the same active ingredient cyantraniliprole but have different formulations.

 

Benevia insecticide is intended for use by potato and field tomato growers to control tomato/potato psyllid, potato tuber moth, tomato fruit worm and green peach aphid. It would also be used by onion growers to control thrips.

 

Exirel Insecticide is intended for use by livestock farmers to control certain caterpillars, leaf miners and grey cabbage aphid in various fodder brassica crops. 

 

DuPont says the two products pose a low risk to humans or the environment if handled and used according to label directions. It also says benefits of the two new insecticides include efficacy at low rates of application on a range of important insect pests, low toxicity to operators and a high margin of safety to bees, beneficial insects, earthworms and soil microflora.

The application is open to public comment until 16 March, 2012.