NOVEMBER 16, 2009
Joint News Release
SPLAT GMTM, A MATING DISRUPTION FORMULATION FOR THE CONTROL OF GYPSY MOTH, IS APPROVED FOR OPERATIONAL USE AND SUCCESSFULLY APPLIED
In 2009, SPLAT GM was approved for operational use by the US EPA and USDA Forest Service for the STS program. Dynamic Aviation was awarded a contract for the aerial application of SPLAT GM to almost 100,000 acres in the states of VA, OH, IL and WI.
The USDA Forest Service Slow the Spread (STS) program seeks to slow the destructive spread of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, without using conventional pesticides. The program focuses on intensive monitoring and management of gypsy moth populations at the leading edge of the area where gypsy moth is already firmly established. Gypsy moth-specific treatments such as mating disruption are critical to the success of STS. Since the early 90’s, the USDA has relied on only one operationally approved mating disruption product, which is aerially applied to over 400,000 acres in the northeastern part of the United States to control gypsy moth. To meet all the requirements of an operationally approved mating disruption product for area-wide application, a product must pass stringent safety, efficacy and operational requirements established by the US Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental protection agencies, the USDA and various interest groups.
SPLAT GM is a new mating disruption formulation that was developed by ISCA Technologies to reduce populations of gypsy moth. With mating disruption, chemical copies of the gypsy moth pheromones are intentionally released into the pest’s habitat. Point sources of SPLAT GM release the pheromone and create false pheromone trails, masking the true pheromone trails created by female moths. Male moths are confused and are not able to find female moths which results in a significant reduction in successful mating and the pest population is reduced. In some situations the infestation collapses.
SPLAT GM relies on ISCA’s proprietary SPLAT technology, which consists of inert ingredients classified as “suitable for food use” by the EPA. Compared to other gypsy moth treatments, SPLAT GM has less pheromone wastage due to the improved controlled-release profile of SPLAT and is readily adapted to both aerial and ground application.
In 2009, SPLAT GM was approved for operational use by the US EPA and USDA Forest Service for the STS program. This effort was the culmination of more than 6 years of multi-party R&D collaboration: researchers from USDA ARS, USDA Forest Service, independent researchers including Ksenia Onufrieva at Virginia Tech, ISCA Technologies, and Dynamic Aviation, which developed the aerial application system. R&D for gypsy moth control and SPLAT GM was funded in part by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection and USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program.
Efficient and accurate application was critical to the success of SPLAT GM in this project, so ISCA Technologies relied on Dynamic Aviation to develop an aerial application system that would be able to accommodate the unique characteristics of SPLAT and meet the application requirements of USDA Forest Service. Dynamic Aviation developed, tested and fine-tuned an aerial application system until it was precise enough to meet the requirement of less than 5% variation established by the USDA Forest Service.
In early 2009, USDA Forest Service STS program issued their solicitation for the 2009 aerial application of a gypsy moth mating disruption formulation. Dynamic Aviation submitted their bid, with SPLAT GM as the mating disruption formulation, and was subsequently awarded a contract for the aerial application of SPLAT GM to almost 100,000 acres in the states of Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. In June 2009, SPLAT GM was successfully aerially applied by Dynamic Aviation. “The 2009 contract also allows USDA to exercise a contract option for the 2010 aerial application. USDA has indicated that, based on the 2009 results, they intend to exercise this option for 2010. This is a wonderful testimonial for the operational capabilities of Dynamic Aviation and the efficacy of SPLAT GM,” said Annlok Yap, a Vice President at ISCA Technologies. The success of SPLAT GM has also provided USDA and pest control agencies with an additional tool for area-wide control of other damaging or invasive insects, one which is also environmentally friendly and acceptable to the general public.
“Introduction of SPLAT GM on the market created a competition, which helped to reduce prices of treatments, and as a result STS was able to treat approximately 5% more acres with the same budget,” said Ksenia Onufrieva, a researcher at Virginia Tech who helped oversee the applications.
“We are very pleased that, after more than 6 years of R&D, SPLAT GM has been approved for use in the STS program. In addition to the outstanding work done by ISCA researchers, I also wish to thank our many collaborators over the years who have contributed to the success of SPLAT GM,” said Dr Agenor Mafra-Neto, President of ISCA Technologies. “We are also thrilled that a SPLAT formulation (SPLAT LBAM LD) was recently approved for use on organic certified farms by the US EPA. In collaboration with USDA, we intend to develop an organic formulation for SPLAT GM. This would provide the USDA with an additional tool to control the gypsy moth on organic certified farms.”
“We have used other mating disruption products for the gypsy moth, and found SPLAT GM to be operationally the best product for area-wide aerial application. The application equipment, the set-up and disassembly process are the most cost effective we have used, which has contributed to cost savings for both Dynamic Aviation and the STS program without any compromise of control efficacy. We look forward to working with ISCA Technologies to develop new aerial application concepts using SPLAT,” said Caleb Stitely, Account Manager at Dynamic Aviation.
ABOUT DYNAMIC AVIATION
Dynamic Aviation is the leading supplier of aerial platforms throughout the world, with missions that include not only aerial application, but also intelligence, surveillance and fire management. Today, Dynamic Aviation operates versatile, safe and reliable multi-engine aircraft from bases located internationally throughout the world and employs over 350 aviation-related professionals.
ABOUT ISCA TECHNOLOGIES
The mission of ISCA Technologies is to protect the world from damaging insects and pathogens by developing solutions that are economical, effective and ecologically friendly. One of the ways ISCA achieves this mission is by developing insect pheromone and attractant-based pest management solutions such as its SPLAT mating disruption and attract & kill products. These products offer a viable alternative to the frequent misuse and overuse of conventional pesticides. Transitioning to the use of these products from conventional pesticide-based crop management has the potential to revolutionize current agricultural practices. This change will contribute to a safer food supply and a more sustainable future.
For additional information:
www.iscatech.com
www.dynamicaviation.com
www.gmsts.org
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