spinosade Biopesticides

Spinosad is a relatively new insect killer that quickly and safely controls a variety of caterpillar, beetle and thrips pests. Spinosad is derived from the fermentation juices of a lowly soil bacterium called Saccharopolyspora spinosa. To chemists, spinosad is a complex molecule known as a "glycosylated macrolactone;" but to gardeners with a hankering for safer products, it may be a godsend.

Spinosad is especially effective on caterpillars and thrips. If you're a flower gardener, your ears should prick up on this one. Thrips and caterpillars are the two most important pest groups on annual and perennial flowers. Perhaps the best thing about spinosad-containing products is their safety for people and beneficial insects. Spinosad is safe for adult butterflies and many insect predators and parasites. It falls into the safest human health category as well.

it is an excellent tool to suppress mosquito populations before they hatch, while helping avoid or fight resistance. Spinosad delivers a unique mode of action that works on all four stages of mosquito larvae. It has been tested to demonstrate efficacy on twenty of the most common vector and nuisance mosquito species, including Aedes, Anopheles and Culex.