BASF’s Inscalis insecticide receives EPA registration
Active ingredient provides farmers with an effective tool for controlling piercing-sucking pests
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, October 2, 2018 – BASF received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for its Inscalis® insecticide. The new insecticide controls piercing-sucking insect pests in a variety of row and specialty crops, including soybeans, cotton and citrus.
“Inscalis insecticide is a new active ingredient with a unique mode of action that provides effective control of devastating piercing-sucking insect pests, such as aphids, whiteflies and certain psyllids,” said Christa Ellers-Kirk, BASF Technical Market Manager. “Once these insects infiltrate a field, they can cause costly damage to the quality and yield of a crop. Farmers can choose from several Inscalis formulations as part of their resistance and integrated pest management plans, giving them more operational control over their crops.”
Since insecticide resistance is now more widespread, Inscalis insecticide also meets farmers’ demands for new tools to control insects in their fields. According to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), insecticide resistance has added $40 million to the total insecticide bill for farmers in additional and alternative applications.
“As piercing-sucking pests become more diverse and adaptable, it’s more important than ever to continue to develop new tools that will meet a farmer’s ever-changing needs,” said Ellers-Kirk.
The chemistry’s unique formulation works by moving through the leaf to control pests that may be living on the underside of leaves. Inscalis insecticide’s fast onset of action causes insect feeding to quickly stop, limiting the spread of damage and transmission of viral pathogens. In addition, Inscalis insecticide boasts a favorable environmental profile with low toxicity to beneficial insects, including pollinators.
The Inscalis active ingredient was discovered by the Japanese company Meiji Seika Pharma Co. Ltd (Meiji) and the Kitasato Institute, specifically 2015 Nobel Prize recipient, Doctor Satoshi Omura, and co-developed with Meiji. The active ingredient will power Versys™ insecticide, Sefina™ insecticide and Ventigra™ insecticide. These products will be available for a broad range of crops and crop groups. Versys insecticide is labeled for use on brassica, leafy vegetables, pome and stone fruit, and will target aphids and whiteflies. Sefina insecticide, labeled for use on citrus, cotton, cucurbits, fruiting vegetables and soybeans, targets the Asian citrus psyllid, aphids and whiteflies. Ventigra insecticide is for use in greenhouse and nursery production, and ornamental landscapes.
Farmers can learn more about Inscalis insecticide by contacting their local BASF representative.
Always read and follow label directions.
Inscalis is a registered trademark and Versys, Ventigra and Sefina are trademarks of BASF. © 2018 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2017, our division generated sales of €5.7 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 18,200 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.9 billion in 2017. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further Information at www.basf.com.