Aug 9, 2012

SePRO Biological Insecticide Registered for Use in CaliforniaSource: SePRO

SePRO Corp.’s new Preferal biological insecticide has received California Registration for use in the greenhouse, nursery, and landscape markets. Preferal is a biological insecticide containing blastospores of a naturally-occurring strain of the fungus Isaria fumosoroseus which has demonstrated very good control of whitefly, aphid, thrips and spider mites.

Isaria fumosoroseus was isolated by Dr. Lance S. Osborne, at the University of Florida. Certis USA, which licensed the technology from the University of Florida, has entered into a marketing and supply agreement with SePRO to market and further develop Isaria fumosoroseus in the U.S.

Preferal is being used successfully by European growers today in integrated pest management programs to control all life stages of whitefly. Preferal is formulated as a water dispersible granule that is mixed with water and applied as a spray. Spores of Preferal then attach and penetrate the cuticle of targeted insect pests. The fungus grows inside the insect, causing its death. Under favorable environmental conditions, the fungus will emerge from killed insects to re-release more viable spores to sustain further infections in other insects.

“Preferal will provide growers an effective insecticide that is not likely to develop resistance and is completely safe and compatible with beneficial and pollinator insects,” said Roger Storey, vice president, of SePRO’s turf and ornamental business unit.

To learn more please visit www.sepro.com.