DAVIS, Calif.-Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI), has received U.S. EPA approval to delete the bee toxicity warning statement from its Grandevo Bioinsecticide label following a review.
The removal of the toxicity statement is supported by third-party field evaluations that show Grandevo has no increased mortality or detrimental effects to honeybees. The key study was conducted in central North Carolina during the summer of 2012. The month-long hive study compared the mortality rates of Grandevo versus a known toxic pesticide reference treatment and a water treatment control.
Grandevo, a cross-spectrum bioinsecticide, is effective in controlling chewing and sucking insects, as well as mites. It works through oral toxicity, reduced reproduction and repellency. While tested extensively to understand its effects on non-target organisms, including lab studies with bees, prior to its EPA registration in 2012, Grandevo was not required to be field tested with honeybees.
Details about the Grandevo field trial in North Carolina are available in the April issue of Bee Culture magazine article or on the Marrone Bio Innovations website (http://bit.ly/10QUwFJ).