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Spinosad Insecticide
- A natural pesticide from soil
microbes -
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Summary:
Spinosad is a natural insecticide. The
active ingredients in spinosad, spinosyn A and
spinosyn D, are complex organic compounds made by
soil microbes. Spinosad is a broad-spectrum
pesticide but is only active if ingested or
contacted while in liquid form, so has little
residual effect on most beneficial species.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
my resume
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Spinosad
is a natural insecticide
Spinosad
is a relatively new insecticide that is made up of
two complex organic compounds, spinosyn A (right)
and spinosyn D. These compounds are produced by
certain microbes that were first discovered in soil
found at an abandoned rum factory.
Spinosad
is a broad-spectrum, organic insecticide. The term
"broad-spectrum" means that it is toxic to a wide
variety of insects. It is, however, relatively
non-toxic to mammals and beneficial insects.
If
used carefully only insects that actually eat
something that has been treated, such as a leaf, are
affected. This is different than a lot of other
broad-spectrum insecticides that are toxic if the
insect merely comes in contact with dry insecticide
residues.
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Chemical structure of
spinosyn A, a component of spinosad
insecticide. Modified from
wikipedia.org.
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An
alternative to conventional garden insecticides
Spinosad
is an excellent natural, organic alternative to
conventional synthetic insecticides like Sevin in
many garden situations. Spinosad is not approved for
use on as many crops and pests as some of the older
insecticides but where it is approved it may be a
better choice (see product label and fact sheet
below).
Products
that contain spinosad
There
are a number of products currently on the market
that contain spinosad, and more are being developed
every year. Some widely used products are Conserve
SC, for the commercial turf and ornamental market,
Entrust Naturalyte, for the commercial organic
grower market, Comfortis, for the flea control
market, and an insecticide for home gardeners called
Monterey Garden Insect Spray (see product
label and fact sheet below). A variety of
spinosad-based products are available here (DoMyOwn.com, our affiliate).
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Spinosad insecticide in home gardens
Depending on
the product (and please, always check the product
label!) spinosad insecticides can be used on lawns,
ornamental plants, some garden vegetables
and fruit trees to control a variety of
important pests (see product label and fact sheet
below).
Advantages
of spinosad
- low
mammal, bird, and aquatic toxicity
- easy on
beneficial insects and mites
- certified
organic
Disadvantages
of spinosad
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Related
Articles
Monterey
Garden Insect Spray product label (2004) - The
product label contains all of the information
required for registration in the US. This label is
for general information only. Product labels can
change so be sure to follow the instructions
attached to the product you are actually using.
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