Bacibria

Bacibria is a biological insecticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis. The bacterium produces crystal proteins that are activated only in the alkaline gut of a caterpillar, so it kills Lepidoptera larvae and is harmless to people, bees, predators and everything else that lacks that gut chemistry. Re-entry is four hours, and it is accepted in organic production — which makes it the tool for the end of the season, for export crops under residue scrutiny, and for organic growers.

Characteristics

• —Biological — accepted in organic production
• —Harmless to bees, beneficials, people and livestock
• —Four-hour re-entry interval; no residue concerns
• —Ideal for the pre-harvest window and for export crops
• —Controls grapevine moth, Tuta absoluta, leaf rollers and citrus blossom moth
• —No resistance cross-over with any chemical insecticide group

How it works

B. thuringiensis produces crystalline Cry proteins. Once eaten by a susceptible larva, the alkaline midgut dissolves the crystal and activates the toxin, which punches pores in the gut wall. The larva stops feeding within hours and dies in one to three days. It must be EATEN — coverage and timing at small larval stages are everything.