As navel orangeworm (NOW) continues to cause significant losses to crop quality and yield for almond and pistachio growers, third-party research finds SPEAR® LEP delivers performance comparable to – and in some cases better than – competitive products in controlling the pervasive Lepidopteran pest. The series of independent trials were conducted in California between 2021 and 2023 on almonds and pistachios across multiple application windows.
SPEAR LEP provided consistent NOW control comparable to – and in some cases better than – industry standards
A 2022 trial conducted in Denair, California, (Rijal, UCCE) found SPEAR LEP provided consistent NOW control comparable to – and in some cases better than – industry standards across multiple almond varieties. [See Chart A].
SPEAR LEP performed the same or better when compared to competitive products against NOW
A 2023 independent almond trial looking at product efficacy against NOW at crucial hull split timings in Stanislaus County (Bisabri Ag) found SPEAR LEP reduced nut infestation better than a standard rotation when it was rotated with methoxyfenozide. [See Chart B]
SPEAR LEP out-performed other product rotations in reducing nut infestation when applied at at mummy and hull split
A second 2023 independent almond trial (Hubbard Ag) in Colusa County examined performance against nut infestation across a three-spray program (mummy spray, hull split 1, and hull split 2). SPEAR LEP out-performed the standard rotation in reducing nut infestation when applied in a program with chlorantraniliprole and methoxyfenozide. [See Chart C]
The performance data validates what our grower customers and their advisors have already discovered: SPEAR LEP is an effective new mode of action that controls NOW while also providing best-in-class harvest and marketing flexibility. It is cost competitive as a stand-alone or used in rotation and reinforces Vestaron as a new-era crop protection company with a robust pipeline of new active ingredients coming to market.”
~ Ben Cicora, senior vice-president of sales and marketing with Vestaron.
SPEAR LEP provided 85-100% control of NOW larvae
In 2021 and 2023 research trials (Joel Siegel, USDA-ARS Field trial, Bisabri Ag Research and Consulting), field-sprayed nuts were brought to the lab one, two, and three weeks after the second hull split and infested with NOW eggs. NOW survival after a 4-week incubation in untreated nuts ranged from 29-23%. Relative to untreated control, SPEAR LEP provided 85-100% control of NOW larvae, and the efficacy stayed constant over time. SPEAR LEP as a standalone hull split program outperformed a rotation of products with the active ingredients chlorantraniliprole, and methoxyfenozide. [See Chart D]
SPEAR LEP provides exceptional control of NOW on Pistachios
Independent pistachio trials (Sawtooth Ag, Research for Hire) conducted in 2023 at two locations in Tulare – as well as cross-analysis of four trials from 2022-2023 – found SPEAR LEP followed by a methoxyfenozide + spinetoram premix performed comparable to a rotation of chlorantraniliprole and methoxyfenozide. [See Chart E].
These results were validated in 2 trials in Tulare County (2023) where SPEAR LEP rotated with a methoxyfenozide + spinetoram premix was comparable to a rotation of chlorantraniliprole and methoxyfenozide. [See Chart F]
The only lepidopteran insecticide offering 0-day PHI | 4-Hour REI | 0 MRL
Launched in 2020 by Vestaron, SPEAR LEP was the first new neuromuscular mode of action (new IRAC group 32) since 2007. Proven on over 700,000 acres and counting, it offers seamless integration into existing crop protection programs as a stand-alone or complementing and even extending the use of existing synthetic pesticides. SPEAR LEP is easily applied and provides optimal performance when mixed with a low rate Btk (LEPROTEC® WG).
- SPEAR LEP is an effective and cost-comparative 1:1 replacement of synthetic chemicals with no known resistance or cross-resistance.
- SPEAR LEP is pollinator and beneficial friendly with an excellent safety and environmental profile.
- Vestaron’s portfolio is built on peptides – a small protein made up of amino acids – from the modified venom found in spiders and select species that affect the proven insecticidal receptors of target pest insects.
- Peptides are larger molecules compared to traditional small-molecule synthetic chemicals, providing specificity to affect only the target insect pests.
- Since peptides are essentially amino acids, they break down and become nutrients for the soil and plants without any residue.
BASIN, Vestaron’s second novel-acting peptide-based insecticide, was also evaluated in several trials with similar high-performance results. With availability expected in late 2025, BASIN targets a range of destructive crop pests including diamondback moth, cabbage loopers, navel orangeworm, oriental fruit moth, and Colorado potato beetle that can cause substantial damage to high-value crops.
Connect with your local rep today to review performance and unlock the unprecedented power of SPEAR LEP novel mode of action.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Ben Cicora, SVP Sales & Marketing • 970.443.9220 • bcicora@vestaron.com
Steve Betz, VP Communications • (515).707.6096 • sbetz@vestaron.com