For Release:  October 26, 2020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to register pesticide products containing the new active ingredient tetraniliprole.

Tetraniliprole is an insecticide designed to control a wide variety of agricultural pests on pome fruit, stone fruit, tree nuts, small fruit vine climbing crops, fruiting vegetables, tuberous and corm vegetables, Brassica head and stem vegetables, leafy vegetables, tobacco, soybeans, corn, citrus, and sod. It is also proposed for use on residential lawns and golf courses.

Tetraniliprole will be the first registered diamide insecticide offering control corn rootworm larvae in corn through soil application, and control of flea beetles in corn and potatoes. It would also be the first diamide offering control of wireworms in potatoes and similar crops, and control of cutworms in tobacco via soil application.

EPA and Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) jointly reviewed tetraniliprole and determined there are no human health risk concerns. EPA is proposing specific mitigations to address potential ecological risks, including a 50-foot and 25-foot spray buffer for aerial and ground applications, respectively, directions for use for treated seed to reduce exposure to treated seeds for large birds, and a 25-foot vegetative filter strip to reduce runoff into surface water.

Risks from tetraniliprole to individual honey bees and honey bee colonies were low for most crops. For crops where risks were identified, EPA is proposing crop-specific application timing restrictions to mitigate risks to individual honey bees and honey bee colonies.

EPA is accepting public comments on this proposal via docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0233 at www.regulations.gov for 30 days, closing on Nov. 22, 2020.