Venerate bioinsecticide now available in California

Marrone Bio Innovations‘ Venerate XC bioinsecticide is now available in California. According to the company, Venerate XC is a liquid microbial-based, contact and ingestion insecticide that degrades insect exoskeletons and interferes with molting of chewing insects, nymphs and adult sucking insects, as well as with flies and mites. Available in California in 2015, Venerate is labeled for use at 4 to 8 quarts per acre. With the recent California Department of Pesticide Regulation approval, Venerate XC is labeled at a lower rate of 1 to 4 quarts per acre.

Venerate XC is approved for use on a variety of California’s fruit, vegetable, vine and nut crops in conventional integrated pest management (IPM) and organic systems. It is a liquid formulation with flexibility to apply by ground or air, according to MBI. There is no limit to the number of applications allowed per season and Venerate XC has a minimal four hour re-entry interval (REI), according to the company. The product is non-toxic to fish, birds, and most beneficial insects including honeybees, and also has the advantage of a zero-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) and an exemption from MRL (maximum residue level) tolerances, according to MBI.

Venerate XC should be used first if adult insects or mites are present, according to the company. MBI’s biological insecticides are not intended for use as rescue treatments, but rather are preventative, meaning they are most effective when used before target populations are at a critical threshold, according to the company. All MBI products should be used in accordance with label directions.