
What Bugs does Spinosad kill?
Spinosad pesticide Kills bagworms, borers, codling moths, spider mites and others.
What products contain Spinosad?
- What is spinosad?
- What are some products that contain spinosad?
- How does spinosad work?
- How might I be exposed to spinosad?
- What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to spinosad?
- What happens to spinosad when it enters the body?
- Is spinosad likely to contribute to the development of cancer?
What is Spinosad used for?
- in rat ( Rattus norvegicus Bergenhout, 1769), acute oral: LD 50 >5000 mg/kg (nontoxic)
- in rat ( R. ...
- in California quail ( Callipepla californica Shaw, 1798), oral toxicity: LD 50 >2000 mg/kg (nontoxic)
- in duck ( Anas platyrhynchos domestica Linnaeus, 1758), dietary toxicity: LC 50 >5000 mg/kg (nontoxic)
Does Spinosad work on aphids?
Yes, you can use spinosad for aphid control in your gardens. This substance can eliminate spiders, mites, and any other insect that finds its way into your garden spaces where spinosad is present. Whether it is a small home garden or a larger one, you can go ahead and use spinosad as a one-stop solution for all your pest woes.

Is spinosad considered organic?
Spinosad is not particularly new, having been granted organic status by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) in 2003. However few home gardeners are aware of its potential uses. Spinosad is especially effective on caterpillars and thrips.
Is spinosad approved for organic gardening?
Spinosad is a relatively new insect killer, having been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1997. In 2003, it was officially given organic status by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). With these seals of approval, you can safely use them in vegetable gardens and on your ornamental plants.
Is spinosad systemic insecticide?
Apparently, spinosad has systemic properties and quantities as low as 1 mg/plant could protect tomato plants from mite infestation. Different substrates with varying percentage of clay and organic matter were tested in comparison with rockwool and showed that sufficient control was restricted to the rockwool substrate.
Is spinosad environmentally friendly?
Innovation and Benefits: CortevaTM developed spinosad, a highly selective, environmentally friendly insecticide made by a soil microorganism. It controls many chewing insect pests in cotton, trees, fruits, vegetables, turf, and ornamentals.
Is spinosad toxic to humans?
Spinosad is low in toxicity to people and other mammals. However, if it gets on your skin or in your eyes it can cause irritation and redness.
Is spinosad harmful to bees?
Semi-field cage studies have also demonstrated that spinosad was safe to bees when applied to flowering crops during periods of bee activity. The majority of studies conducted have indicated that spinosad does not adversely affect honeybee behaviour, brood or queen.
Is spinosad banned?
Spinosad has been banned for sales or commercial use in the following places. As far as we know, there is no comprehensive list of places where it's regulated in this way, so we've pieced this list together from talking with growers around the world. …and possibly more! If you're worried, use an alternative product.
How long does spinosad last once mixed?
Spinosad loses its toxicity after 8 to 24 hours and so it will be necessary to reapply at 7 day intervals for 5 or 6 weeks after the first olive flies or codling moths are caught on the pheromone traps.
Can I mix spinosad and Bt?
It's always a good idea to vary insect control methods in the vegetable garden so consider alternating Bt with a product containing the active ingredient spinosad (also derived from a soil bacterium and also organic).
Does rain wash off spinosad?
Diamide and spinosyn-type insecticides (e.g., Spinosad) are also very rainfast.
What is Spinosad made of?
Spinosad is a natural substance made by a soil bacterium that can be toxic to insects. It is used to control a wide variety of pests. These include thrips, leafminers, spider mites, mosquitoes, ants, fruit flies and others. Many products containing spinosad are used on crops and ornamental plants.
What is the phone number for PestiByte?
PestiByte PODCast. If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at [email protected]. Last updated November 9, 2015.
What is Spinosad based on?
Chemical compound. Spinosad is an insecticide based on chemical compounds found in the bacterial species Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The genus Saccharopolyspora was discovered in 1985 in isolates from crushed sugarcane. The bacteria produce yellowish-pink aerial hyphae, with bead-like chains of spores enclosed in a characteristic hairy sheath.
How does Spinosad work?
Mode of action. Spinosad is highly active, by both contact and ingestion, in numerous insect species. Its overall protective effect varies with insect species and life stage. It affects certain species only in the adult stage, but can affect other species at more than one life stage.
How many forms of spinosyn are there?
Spinosyns occur in over 20 natural forms, and over 200 synthetic forms (spinosoids) have been produced in the lab. Spinosad contains a mix of two spinosoids, spinosyn A, the major component, and spinosyn D (the minor component), in a roughly 17:3 ratio.
What is the mechanism of action of spinosoid insecticides?
The mode of action of spinosoid insecticides is by a neural mechanism . The spinosyns and spinosoids have a novel mode of action, primarily targeting binding sites on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) of the insect nervous system that are distinct from those at which other insecticides have their activity.
How long does spinosad stay in the bin?
Spinosad residues are highly stable on grains stored in bins, with protection ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Ecotoxicology parameters have been reported for spinosad, and are:
Does Spinosyn A interact with insecticidal receptors?
Spinosyn A does not appear to interact directly with known insecticidal-relevant target sites, but rather acts via a novel mechanism. Spinosyn A resembles a GABA antagonist and is comparable to the effect of avermectin on insect neurons. Spinosyn A is highly active against neonate larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, and is slightly more biologically active than spinosyn D. In general, spinosyns possessing a methyl group at C6 (spinosyn D-related analogs) tend to be more active and less affected by changes in the rest of the molecule. Spinosyn A is slow to penetrate to the internal fluids of larvae; it is also poorly metabolized once it enters the insect. The apparent lack of spinosyn A metabolism may contribute to its high level of activity, and may compensate for the slow rate of penetration.
Is Spinosad a good insecticide?
Spinosad has high efficacy, a broad insect pest spectrum, low mammalian toxicity, and a good environmental profile , a unique feature of the insecticide compared to others currently used for the protection of grain products.
What is Spinosad used for?
Spinosad is labeled for use on vegetables, fruits, citrus, trees, shrubs, ornamentals and lawns. On vegetable, fruits and citrus it controls coddling moths on apples, caterpillars, asparagus beetles, thrips, leaf miners, Colorado potato beetle, listed borers and other listed pests.
How is Spinosad made?
Chemical Action and Usages: Spinosad is derived through the fermentation of a naturally occurring bacterium ( Saccharopolyspora spinosa ). It is highly effective at low rates, is active by ingestion and contact exposure but has less impact on certain predatory beneficial insects. It has a quicker speed of control when compared to most biological ...
Is Spinosad toxic to bees?
Highly toxic to beneficial bees, but is negligible when applications are made when bee activity is low and the spray deposits have been allowed to dry. In 1999, Spinosad received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for chemical products that reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment.
Is Spinosad spray toxic?
The spray formulation of Spinosad is highly toxic to beneficial bees. Do not apply this product when bees are active. Toxicity: May cause eye irritation, but other wise non-toxic to humans. Spinosad is not acutely toxic to birds, wildlife or fish.
What is spinosad pesticide?
What is Spinosad? Spinosad (pronounced "spin-OH-sid") is an active ingredient pesticide derived from fermentation of naturally occurring organisms found in soil samples. It is very similar to other fermented pesticides but lasts more than twice as long and has a faster speed of control.
How long does it take for a pest to die from a spinosad?
It will then die within one to two days. Spinosad is valued as an active ingredient in part because it has little effect on non-target predatory pests.
Is Spinosad safe for workers?
Spinosad carries the signal word CAUTION on its label. There is little known risk to workers and applicators and no specific protection requirements are listed. Spinosad shows very low toxicity to mammals if ingested.
What Is Spinosad?
Applying spinosad spray will reduce pest pressures in your garden. Source: Oregon State University
Drawbacks Of Using Spinosad
The biggest drawback of spinosad that may deter home gardeners from using it is that it’s highly toxic to bees while the spray is wet. Timing is everything when it comes to spinosad. Bees are most active during the day, usually mid-morning to the late afternoon.
How To Use Spinosad
Spinosad in powder or dust form is less common than spray but just as effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Spinosad will kill several kinds of pests, including caterpillars, fire ants, fleas, fruit flies, leafminers, lice, mites, mosquitoes, spider mites, and thrips. Be careful when you apply spinosad spray since it can be highly toxic to beneficial insects such as bees while it’s still wet.
How long does Spinosad live in water?
Spinosad is broken down rapidly by sunlight. In the presence of sunlight, half-lives on leaves are 2 to 16 days and less than one day in water. In the absence of sunlight, spinosad breaks down very slowly in water.
Is Spinosad a good product?
Spinosad has high efficacy, low mammalian toxicity, and a good environmental profile. Spinosad is natural products-based , and approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous national and international certifications.
Is spinosad toxic to fish?
After it is applied, spinosad is not likely to become airborne. Spinosad is practically non-toxic to moderately toxic to fish depending on the species. It is slightly to moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates. However, spinosad is very highly toxic to eastern oysters.
Does spinosad stick to soil?
Spinosad also sticks to soil and has a very low potential to move through soil towards ground water. In field studies, no break down products of spinosad were found below a soil depth of two feet. In the top layers of soil, spinosad is rapidly broken down by microbes.
Is Spinosad poisonous to oysters?
However, spinosad is very highly toxic to eastern oysters. Spinosad is practically non-toxic to slightly toxic to birds, based on studies with bobwhite quail and mallard ducks. It is moderately toxic to earthworms. Spinosad is very highly toxic to bees.
What is spinosad insecticide?
Spinosad (pronounced spin OH sid) is a relatively new insect killer that quickly and safely controls a variety of caterpillar, beetle and thrips pests. Spinosad is derived from the fermentation juices of a lowly soil bacterium called Saccharopolyspora spinosa.
Is Spinosad safe for butterflies?
Spinosad is safe for adult butterflies and many insect predators and parasites. It falls into the safest human health category as well. Bacillus thuringiensis, known for years to savvy gardeners as "Bt", has been a standard weapon for the war against caterpillars. As an insecticide, Bt is a safe, selective product for caterpillars.
Is Spinosad a macrolactone?
To chemists, spinosad is a complex molecule known as a "glycosylated macrolactone;" but to gardeners with a hankering for safer products, it may be a godsend. Spinosad is not particularly new, having been granted organic status by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) in 2003.

Environment
Products
- Currently, spinosad is found in over 80 registered pesticide products. Many of these are used on agricultural crops and ornamental plants. Others are used in and around buildings, in aquatic settings, and as seed treatments. These products are commonly sprays, dusts, granules, and pel…
Other
- Spinosad is also found in some drugs regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. These products are used to control head lice on people and fleas on dogs and cats.
Prevention
- Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully. For additional treatment advice, contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378.
Toxicity
- Spinosad is low in toxicity to people and other mammals. However, if it gets on your skin or in your eyes it can cause irritation and redness. In one study, 28 dogs were fed low to moderate doses of spinosad. One dog that received a moderate dose vomited. No effects related to spinosad were observed in the other dogs. Spinosad is practically non-toxic to moderately toxic …
Research
- No. In multiple studies, animals were fed low to moderate amounts of spinosad in their diet for 1.5 to 2 years. No increased incidence of cancer was observed. Moreover, spinosad has not been found to alter or damage genes. As a result of these experiments, the EPA has classified spinosad as not likely to cause cancer. In one study, dogs were fed low doses of spinosad for one year. Ef…
Effects
- Scientists have also tested whether spinosad causes developmental or reproductive effects in rats and rabbits. In these studies, animals were fed low to moderate doses daily throughout their lives or during their pregnancies. Effects were only observed at the highest doses. These included lower body weights and effects to some organs. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, more difficult labor…
Risks
- The EPA limits the levels of pesticides, including spinosad, allowed on food. Due to this, it is unlikely that individuals would be exposed to spinosad at levels this high through their diet.
Durability
- Spinosad is broken down rapidly by sunlight. In the presence of sunlight, half-lives on leaves are 2 to 16 days and less than one day in water. When applied to leaves, some spinosad can be absorbed. However, it does not readily spread from leaves to the rest of the plant. In the absence of sunlight, spinosad breaks down very slowly in water. Half-lives of more than 30 days to 259 d…
Overview
Spinosad is an insecticide based on chemical compounds found in the bacterial species Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The genus Saccharopolyspora was discovered in 1985 in isolates from crushed sugarcane. The bacteria produce yellowish-pink aerial hyphae, with bead-like chains of spores enclosed in a characteristic hairy sheath. This genus is defined as aerobic, Gram-positive, no…
Use
Spinosad has been used around the world for the control of a variety of insect pests, including Lepidoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, and Hymenoptera, and many others. It was first registered as a pesticide in the United States for use on crops in 1997. Its labeled use rate is set at 1 ppm (1 mg a.i./kg of grain) and its maximum residue limit (MRL) or tolerance is set at 1.5 ppm. Spinosad's widespread commercial launch was deferred, awaiting final MRL or toler…
Mode of action
Spinosad is highly active, by both contact and ingestion, in numerous insect species. Its overall protective effect varies with insect species and life stage. It affects certain species only in the adult stage, but can affect other species at more than one life stage. The species subject to very high rates of mortality as larvae, but not as adults, may gradually be controlled through sustained larval mortality. The mode of action of spinosoid insecticides is by a neural mechanism. The spi…
Spinosyn A
Spinosyn A does not appear to interact directly with known insecticidal-relevant target sites, but rather acts via a novel mechanism. Spinosyn A resembles a GABA antagonist and is comparable to the effect of avermectin on insect neurons. Spinosyn A is highly active against neonate larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, and is slightly more biologically active than spinosyn D. In general, spinosyns possessing a methyl group at C6 (spinosyn D-related analogs) tend to be …
Resistance
Spinosad resistance has been found in Musca domestica by Liu & Yue 2000, in Plutella xylostella by Sayyed et al 2004, in Bactrocera dorsalis by Hsu & Feng 2006, in Frankliniella occidentalis by Bielza et al 2007, and in Cydia pomonella by Reyes et al 2007; see Insecticide Resistance Action Committee's Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database for continued updates.
Safety and ecotoxicology
Spinosad has high efficacy, a broad insect pest spectrum, low mammalian toxicity, and a good environmental profile, a unique feature of the insecticide compared to others currently used for the protection of grain products. It is regarded as natural product-based, and approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous national and international certifications. Spinosad residues are highly stable on grains stored in bins, with protection ranging from 6 months to 2 years. Ecotoxic…
Further reading
• The non‐target impact of spinosyns on beneficial arthropods
• Spinosad toxicity to pollinators and associated risk
External links
• "Spinosad". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• Monograph