A new dry formulation of Grandevo from Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc., has been registered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The registration follows U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval of the formulation May 1.

“Grandevo is breaking new ground in controlling Asian citrus psyllid,” said Maris Klavins, product manager. “Its biological efficacy and operational flexibility is a very welcome addition for Florida growers, who now have a new tool in the battle to slow the spread of citrus greening.

“The introduction of Grandevo signals the availability of the first new broad-spectrum microbial insecticide in nearly 50 years, and offers growers the ability to employ bioinsecticides in ways never before thought possible.”

Grandevo has proven to be highly effective against Asian citrus psyllid, an insect that spreads the devastating citrus greening disease. In commercial applications and trials, Grandevo showed activity against psyllid nymphs as well as adults.

Repels adults, reduces egg laying

Grandevo controls psyllid populations by reducing egg laying and repels adults by its irritant properties in treated trees. Citrus greening disease, also called Huanglongbing, has quickly become a major threat to the U.S. citrus industry. Since its discovery in Florida in 2005, it is estimated to have cost the citrus industry over $1 billion.

Naturally derived, Grandevo features complex modes of action that are highly active against labeled chewing and sucking insects and mites, with limited disruption of beneficials. Control of pests is achieved by unique combinations of repellency, oral toxicity, reduced egg hatch, and reduced fecundity (ability of a pest to reproduce). Used alone or part of a rotation, Grandevo’s performance profile suggests it is ideal for use as a foundation or platform product to minimize the potential for resistance while maximizing performance in IPM and IRM programs.

Grandevo is approved for use on ornamental plants and edible crops in fields and greenhouses and it can be applied by air, ground or chemigation. Its re-entry interval is four hours, with a zero-day pre-harvest interval. It is compliant with the National Organic Program and listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute, and is exempt from maximum residue levels (MRL) on exported food crops.

Grandevo is currently registered in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin with pending registrations in other states as well.