UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

JAN 1 0 2013 

MEMORANDUM 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Methoxyfenozide (121027) 

FROM: Don Atwood, Ph.D., Entomologist f1~ /Jr. ~ ~Zfy/.__ 

THRU: 

Biological Analysis Branch '---._ ~ 

Jihad Alsadek, Ph.D., Economist 7~ 4- 7'{; 

Science Information and Analysis Branch 

Stephen Smearman, Economist J L !J I 

Economic Analysis Branch /$if~ 

Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P) 

Arnet Jones, Chief 

Biological Analysis Branc 

'}I Diann Sims, Chief (!. ' 

Science Information and Analysis Branch 

TO: Bonnie Adler, Chemical Review Manager 

Risk Management and Implementation Branch 5 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P) 

Product Review Panel date: December 5, 2012 

1 
INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this document is to convey usage information and a broad overview of the pest 

management roles of pesticides that are beginning to undergo registration review. The 

anticipated audience consists of the team of EPA staff currently evaluating the registration status 

of methoxyfenozide and eventually the general public. This document builds upon the data 

already provided in the "Usage and Label Use Data Packages" that are also provided to 

Registration Review teams by BEAD. The document is based on information and data available 

to BEAD as ofNovember 27, 2012. 

Methoxyfenozide is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that was first registered in 2000 as a 

reduced risk pesticide. According to the product label (Intrepid® 2F), methoxyfenozide does not 

disrupt beneficial insects, mites and pollinators making it ideal for IPM programs. It is classified 

by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) as Group 18, diacylhydrazine, which 

functions as an ecdysone receptor agonist. It is both a stomach and contact insecticide and it is a 

systemic only through the roots of plants. The main target pests for methoxyfenozide are 

lepidopterans including; armyworm (beet, fall, and yellowstriped), soybean looper, twig borer, 

lea:froller (obliquebanded and omnivorous), navel orange worm, codling moth (suppression 

only), and boll worm (suppression only). 

IDSTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR METHOXYFENOZIDE 

BEAD has evaluated 32 Section 18 emergency exemption requests for the use of 

methoxyfenozide on soybeans, com, and sorghum for a variety of insect pests. The states that 

initiated the requests include: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas from 2000 to 2009. 

However, methoxyfenozide was ultimately registered for all crops which have been previously 

assessed. 

COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS 

Methoxyfenozide is formulated as wettable powder and flowable concentrate. Application may 

be made by ground sprayer, airblast sprayer, chemigation, or aerial sprayer (wing or rotor). 

USE SITES 

Agricultural Use Sites 

Methoxyfenozide is registered for use on bush berries, cilantro leaves, brassica (cole) leafy 

vegetables, leaves of root and tuber vegetables, citrus fruit, cotton, cranberry, cucurbit 

vegetables, fruiting vegetables, globe artichoke, grape, grass (forage, fodder, and hay), green 

onions, legume vegetables, foliage of legume vegetables, nongrass (forage, fodder, straw, and 

hay), peanut, pome fruits, pomegranate, popcorn, root vegetables, soybean, spearmint, 

peppermint, stone fruits, strawberry, tree fruits, tree nuts, and tuberous and corm vegetables 

(except potato). 

2 
Non-Agricultural Use Sites 

Methoxyfenozide is registered for use on ornamental herbaceous plants, ornamental woody 

shrubs and vines, ornamental and/or shade trees, recreational areas/parks, and institutions 

(outdoor). 

USAGE 

Agricultural Usage 

Figure 1 shows the use of methoxyfenozide in pounds a.i. on all crops for the time frame of 

2001-2011. Following registration in 2000, methoxyfenozide showed minimal use until2004 to 

2005 which is characteristic for field adoption of new insecticides. Since 2005, 

methoxyfenozide use has exhibited a slow but steady increase. The observed decrease in 2009 

most likely reflects a year of low pest pressure and as such does not detract from the ongoing 

trend of increasing methoxyfenozide use. 

Figure 1. Agricultural Usage Data for Methoxyfenozide in Pounds A.I. on all Crops (2001-

2011 

300,000 

.-t 

0 

0 

N 

N ("'') 

g g N N 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2001 -2011 

8 ..., 

g N N 

1.0 

g r-... g 8 N N N 

Years 

8 

N 

0 

.-t 

0 

N 

.-t 

.-t 

0 

N 

Figure 2 below provides usage data for the crops with the most use (almonds, apples, raisin 

grapes, lettuce, pistachios, soybeans, and tomatoes) for the period 2007-2011. The use of 

methoxyfenozide on all crops over this time period appears to be increasing with the exception 

of lettuce and tomatoes which show a decrease in use. 

3 
-t-Aimonds 

- Apples 

-.-Grapes, Raisin 

Grapes, Wine 

Lettuce 

- Pistachios 

-+-Soybeans 

0 +---.-+--==~!!!!!!!!~~~;::!!!11-+~:::...-----~----.- Tomatoes 

I' 

0 

0 

N 

co 

0 

0 

N 

en 

0 

0 

N 

Years 

0 

..... 

0 

N 

..... 

..... 

0 

N - Other 

Other surveyed crops representing combined methoxyfenozide use of 24% include alfalfa, apricots, arthichoke, 

beans (snap, bush, pole, string), broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupes, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cotton, 

cucumbers, grapefruit, table grapes, hazelnuts, lima beans, oranges, peaches, peanuts, pears, pecans, peppers, 

plums/prunes, pumpkins, sorghum, spinach, squash, strawberries, sugar beets, sweet com, walnuts, and 

watermelons. 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2007-2011 

From 2007-2011, the annual total agricultural usage averaged approximately 236,000 pounds 

active ingredient (a.i.) for 1.4 million treated acres with an overall application rate of 

approximately 0.2lbs. a.i. per acre. 

Table 1, for the same time frame (2007-2011 ), shows the crops with the most use in terms of 

total pounds of active ingredient applied and total acres treated (TAT). Where the proportion of 

pounds applied is greater than the proportion of acres treated, the typical application rate on that 

crop will be higher than the overall average. Thus, the rates on the tree crops (almonds, apples, 

and pistachios) and wine grapes are higher than average. In contrast, the application rates for 

tomatoes, lettuce, and especially soybean will be lower than the overall average. 

Table 1. Methoxyfenozide's Percent of Top Crops in Terms ofLbs. Applied & TAT in 

Acres 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2007-2011 

4 
During this time frame, the crops with the most use in terms of total pounds of active ingredient 

are almonds (28%), wine grapes (12%), tomatoes/lettuce/apples (7% each), pistachios (6%), and 

raisin grapes and soybeans (4%). The crops with the most use in terms of total area treated are 

almonds (21 %), wine grapes (11 %), lettuce (9%), soybeans and tomatoes (8% each), apples 

(5%), and raisin grapes and pistachios (4% each). · 

On average, the states with the most agricultural usage in terms of pounds a.i. applied are 

California (79%), Washington (4%), and Mississippi and Florida (3% each), (Proprietary Data, 

2007-2011). Average yearly application in California (1 million acres) and Washington (36,000 

acres) is approximately 0.2 lbs a.i./acre while application rate is approximately O.llbs a.i./acre in 

Mississippi (98,000 acres) and Florida (57,000 acres). 

Non-Agricultural Usage 

There is no available non-agricultural reported usage data for methoxyfenozide from our current 

data sources. 

Methoxyfenozide Use Intensity By Crop Reporting District 

Another measure of usage is the use intensity. In this analysis, the use intensity is expressed as 

the pounds a.i. applied per 1000 acres of land in farms. This differs from the application rate, 

which is expressed as the pounds a.i. applied per treated acre. An average application rate of 0.2 

lb a.i. per acre implies a rate of200 lb a.i. per 1000 acres. The maximum use intensity, however, 

is only 15 lb a.i. per 1000 acres. Figure 3 spatially represents methoxyfenozide's use intensity in 

the US. The most intense use is seen in the San Joaquin valley of California, which is the center 

of U.S. almond production. 

5 
Figure 3. Methoxyfenozide Usage by Crop Reporting District (2006-2010) 

Sources: 

Average Pounds Per 

1,000 Acres of Farmland 

- <0.07 

c:::JI 0. 7- 1.7 

D 1.8-4.1 

4.2- 15 

Proprietary Data. 2006-2010 

USDA, 2006-2010. NASS Crop Reporting Districts. 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefinglarms/resourceregions/resourceregions.htm#nass. 

USDA, 2007. Census of Agriculture. http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/index.asp. 

This is a map of agricultural pesticide usage at the Crop Reporting District (CRD) level. CRDs are 

boundaries created by USDA NASS which are aggregates of counties (USDA, 2010). Pesticide usage is 

displayed as average pounds (for the years 2006-2010) per 1,000 acres of farmland in a CRD to normalize 

for the variation in farmland between CRDs. Farmland acreage was obtained from USDA (2007). 

Usage is based on private market surveys of pesticide use in agriculture (Proprietary Data, 2006-2010). 

The survey data are limited to the states that represent the top 80-90% of acreage for the individual crops; 

therefore, use may be occurring in regions outside the scope of the survey. CRDs showing no usage of 

pesticides may be due to either the lack of pesticide use in the region or non-participation in the 

agricultural surveys. In addition, across the years, there may be variations in the specific crops included in 

the CRD survey. This may result in a lower annual average for the CRD. 

6 
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO METHOXYFENOZIDE 

Methoxyfenozide works through ingestion causing l~ae to undergo an incomplete and 

developmentally lethal premature molt. Larvae cease feeding and become lethargic in a matter 

ofhours but mortality may not occur for several days. Due to the selective activity against 

lepidopteran larvae, methoxyfenozide is safe on beneficial insects and is a good fit in insect 

control programs which incorporate integrated pest management (IPM). 

DATA NEEDS RELEVANT TO BEAD'S FUTURE WORK ON METHOXYFENOZIDE 

Obtaining additional information on methoxyfenozide use on all non-agricultural use sites would 

improve future BEAD assessments and may be required as part of the registration review of this 

pesticide. Requested usage data should include, but not be limited to, application rate, 

application method, application timing, application frequency, acres/area treated, and 

comparative efficacy to registered alternative insecticides. 

CONCLUSIONS 

Methoxyfenozide use has continually increased since its registration in 2000. Based on the lack 

of insect resistance to methoxyfenozide, BEAD concludes that methoxyfenozide use is likely to 

continue to increase, particularly for almonds, raisin grapes, and soybeans. Due to the selective 

activity against lepidopteran larvae and safety for beneficial insects, growers will continue to 

choose methoxyfenozide as a good fit in insect control programs which incorporate integrated 

pest management. 

REFERENCES: 

Proprietary Data. 2001-2011. 

Proprietary Data. 2007-2011 

USDA, 2006-2010. NASS Crop Reporting Districts. 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/arms/resourceregions/resourceregions.htm#nass. 

USDA, 2007. Census of Agriculture. 

http://www .agcensus. usda.gov /Publications/2007 /index.asp. 

7