UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

AUG1.2011 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 

MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: 

FROM: 

THRU: 

BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration ' w: Pyriproxyfen (129032) 

David W. Brassard, Senior Entomologist iJ~ d...4.s.s~ Biological Analysis Branch ~ b J,~ ~ 

Katherine Stebbins, Biologist -1_ Science Information and Analysis Branch 

Elizabeth Hill, Economist 

Economic Analysis Branch 

Biological and Economic Analysis Division (7503P) 

Arnet Jones, Chief 

Biological Analysis Branch 

Diann Sims, Chief ~u Science Information and Analysis Branch 

Economic Analysis Branch - f'--l Timothy Kiely, Chief ~ .M~ & /I~ ~ tfL>/ 

((,. ~~Sf- 2011 

Biological and Economic Analysis Divi ion (7503P) 

TO: Khue Nguyen, Chemical Review Manager 

Risk Management & Implementation Branch 1 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P) 

Peer Review Panel date: July 20, 2011 

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 

ofPyriproxyfen (129032), 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 of March 8, 2011. 

1 
Pyriproxyfen is a broad spectrum pyridine-based insecticide. It is classified as a Group 7C 

juvenile honnone mimic (lRAC 2010). Pyriproxyfen is only active against immature life statges 

of arthropods (e.g. eggs, larvae, nymphs) and has no activity against adults. Pyriproxyfen is 

commonly fonnulated with MGK264, piperonyl butoxide, pyrethrins, imidacloprid, phenothrin, 

and pennethrin. Pyriproxyfen is used to control ants, cockroaches, crickets, poultry litter beetles, 

fleas, flies, gnats, midges, mosquitoes, scales, ticks, whiteflies, and other insects. 

USE SITES 

Agricultural Use Sites 

Pyriproxyfen is labeled for use on a variety of agricultural crops including, artichokes, asparagus, 

brassica leafy vegetables, leafy vegetables, legume vegetables, bananas, plantains, berries, bulb 

vegetables, citrus, cotton, cucurbits, cranberries, fruiting vegetables, pome fruit, stone fruit, 

grapes, grass/forage, olives, pastures/rangeland, pawpaw, pineapple, pomegranate, root and tuber 

vegetableslleaves of root and tuber vegetables, small fruit vine climbing crops, strawberries, tree 

nuts, tropicaVsubtropical fruits, and watercress. In addition, there are state and local needs 

registrations for use on tomatoes and pistachios. 

Pyriproxyfen is also labeled for indoor and outdoor container or field grown ornamentals in 

commercial nurseries, non-bearing nut, citrus, and other non-bearing fruit trees, conifer 

nurseries, and sod farms. Pyriproxyfen is also labeled for use in poultry houses. 

Non-Agricultural Use Sites 

Pryiproxyfen is labeled for use in and around residential and commercial/industrial 

establishments including food storage and food handling establishments, and transportation 

vehicles. There are numerous outdoor sites including residential and commercial lawns/ 

ornamentals, golf courses, airports, recreational areas, rights-of way, and uncultivated nonagricultural areas. Aquatic uses include temporary or pennanent water holding sites (ornamental 

ponds, waste water and settling ponds, catch basins/sewers etc.) that do not drain into natural 

water bodies. Pyriproxyfen is also registered for use on pets and pet living quarters. 

COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS 

Pyriproxyfen is available in many fonnulations including granular, dust, pelletedltableted, 

microencapsulated, impregnated, water soluble packs, emulsifiable concentrate, ready-to-use 

solution, and as pressurized gas, liquid, and dust fonns. 

Agricultural Uses 

For agricultural sites, pyriproxyfen may be applied as a foliar or donn ant spray using aerial or 

ground equipment. For fire ant control, the granular fonnulation is applied to the ground around 

agricultural crops and fruit and nut trees. 

2 
Non-Agricultural Uses 

Pyriproxyfen may be applied to indoor sites as a general sW'face spray, crack and crevice 

spray/foam, or space spray using an aerosol generator/fogger or ultra low volume equipment. For 

outdoor sites, pyriproxyfen may be applied as a general surface spray or perimeter treatment 

around buildings and structures. The granular formulation may be applied as a broadcast 

treatment using a spreader or as a spot treatment where the applications are made directly to the 

mound (for ftre ants). 

Pyriproxyfen may be applied to pets as a spot-on treatment, spray, or impregnated collar. 

Applications to sewage catch basins or other water holding sites may be made using water 

soluble sachets. 

USAGE 

Agricultural Usage 

Based on private market survey data from 2006-2008, usage averaged approximately 20,000 

pounds for 250,000 acres (Proprietary Data, 2006-2008). Pyriproxyfen is typically applied at a 

rate of 0.025-0.10 pounds per acre depending on the crop (Table 1). 

From 2006-2008, the top crops in terms of total pounds of active ingredient applied were oranges 

(49%), pears (13%), cotton (10%) and almonds (7%) (Figure 1). These crops were also the top 

in terms of the total acres treated, although the ranking was different. Oranges accounted for 

35% of the total acres treated followed by almonds (24%), cotton (14%) and pears (9%). 

Almonds 

7% 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2006-2008 

Other crops (listed in order of ranking) includes: grapefruit, cantaloupes, apples, lemons, strawberries, walnuts, tomatoes, 

plums/prunes, cucumbers, cherries, beans, pistachios, peaches, onions, peppers, raisins. 

3 
T a bl e 1 T .yplC . al A ,gnc . ul tur al U se P attems fi or Pyriproxyfen 

Average Average 

Application Rate Number of 

Crop! (pounds AIlA) Applications 

Oran2es 0.10 1.0 

Pears 0.10 1.3 

Cotton 0.05 1.2 

Almonds 0.02 1.0 

Grapefruit 0.10 1.0 

Cantaloupes 0.06 1.7 

Apples 0.10 1.3 

Lemons 0.10 1.0 

Strawberries 0.09 1.4 

Walnuts 0.09 1.0 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2006-2008 

IRate information is not available for all crops with usage data 

The states with the most agricultural usage in terms of pounds AI applied are 

California,Washington, Oregon, and Florida (Figure 2). In terms of the total area treated, the top 

states were California (78%), Washington (6%), Arizona (5%), and Oregon (5%). 

Fi 

Oregon 

7% 

Washington 

8% 

Source: Proprietary Data, 2006-2008 

Florida 

California 

74% 

Another measure of usage is the percent of the crop that is treated (PCT). The Screening Level 

Usage Analysis (SLUA), reports the PCT values across multiple data sources and years (2001-

2008). According to the 2010 SLUA, pears had the highest average PCT at 30% followed by 

almonds and oranges (10% each) and 5% each for cantaloupes, grapefruit, lemons, plums, 

strawberries, tangerines, and tomatoes (EPA, 2010). 

4 
Non-Agricultural Usage 

Usage data for applications in nursery/greenhouse settings shows an increase in use from under 

50 pounds ofpyriproxyfen applied in 1999 to approximately 5,500 pounds applied in 2006 

(Kline and Co. Inc., 2000-2007). Use on sod farms also increased from below the reporting 

threshold of 1,000 and 3,000 pounds in 2002 and 2004, respectively, to just over to,OOO pounds 

in 2006 (Kline and Co. Inc., 2000-2007). 

Approximately 19,000 pounds ofpyriproxyfen was used by professional pest management finns 

in 2003 which is an increase from just under 500 pounds applied in 2000 (Kline and Co. Inc., 

2001,2003). In a separate report covering th~ professional and consumer fire ant control 

markets, approximately 9,000 pounds ofpyriproxyfen was used in 2003(Kline and Co. Inc., 

2004). Pyriproxyfen use was not reported in the available consumer usage data reports, food 

handling establishment reports, or the reports covering professional applications for mosquito 

control. While usage was not reported by these sources, the reporting is limited to only the 

major products used. Therefore, usage may be occurring below the reporting threshold. 

USE TRENDS 

The historical usage data provided in this section has not been analyzed in detail and is provided 

for preliminary scoping purposes only, to convey a broad overview ofpyriproxyfen at the 

beginning of the registration review process. Figure 3 illustrates the general use trend for 

pyriproxifen focusing on the top crops identified earlier. In general, usage on oranges, pears, and 

crops in the "other" category has generally been increasing and use on cotton and almonds 

fluctuated over the 1998-2008 time period (Figure 3). 

lied 1998-2008 

30,000 ..,---------------------------

• Other 

• Almonds 

• Cotton 

• Pears 

• Oranges 

o 

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2008 

Other includes: apples, beans, cantaloupes, cherries, cucumbers, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, onions, peaches, peppers, pistachios, 

plums/prunes, strawberries, tomatoes, and walnuts. 

5 
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO PYRIPROXYFEN 

Pyriproxyfen is a broad spectrum pyridine-based insecticide. It is classified as a Group 7C 

juvenile hormone mimic (IRAC 2010). Pyriproxyfen is commonly formulated with MGK264, 

and pyrethrins. 

Resistance 

There are 36 known documented incidents of Bemisia tabaci (sweetpotato whitefly) resistance to 

pyriproxyfen in cotton occurring from 1992 to the present (Table 2). 

Table 2. Documented incidents of Bemisia tabaci (sweetpotato whitefly) resistance to . ~ pynprox: "len 

Year Documented Locations Incidents 

2008 6 Arizona, USA 

2007 3 Arizona, USA 

2006 2 Arizona, USA 

2005 3 Arizona, USA 

2003 1 Israel 

Arizona, USA; 

2002 17 Israel 

2001 1 Israel 

1999 1 Israel 

1994 -I Israel 

1992 1 Israel 

Source: Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database 2011 

mSTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR PYRIPROXYFEN 

Pyriproxyfen has not been the subject of any risk mitigation impact assessments developed by 

BEAD. There have been multiple emergency exemption (Section 18) requests for the use of 

pyriproxyfen. The use sites and requesting states vary widely. For a complete list of these 

requests, please see Attachment A. 

INFORMATION THAT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR BEAD'S FUTURE WORK ON 

PYRIPROXYFEN 

Obtaining additional information on the following items would improve future BEAD 

assessments of the importance ofpyriproxyfen and may be required as part of the registration 

review of this pesticide. 

-Usage data such as pounds AI applied, area treated, typical use rates, and typical number 

of applications would be useful for the agricultural crops that are not covered in the usage 

section of this document. 

-Usage data for indoor/outdoor consumer use (residential) 

-Usage data for use in and around food handling establishments/food processing 

establishments, and commercial and institutional facilities. 

6 
REFERENCES 

Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database. 2011. MichigaQ. State University Extension. Accessed 

February 2011, available online at http://www.pesticideresistance.org 

EPA. 2010. Screening Level Usage Analysis. 

EPA. 2010. Section 18 Actions. Accessed November 23,2010 Online: 

http://cfpub l.epa.gov/oppref/section 18/search.cfm 

Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC). 2010. IRAC Mode of Action Classification 

Scheme. Issued September 2010, accessed February 2011. Available online at 

http://www.irac-online.orglwp-contentiuploads/2009/09IMoA -classification _ v7.0.4-

SOctlO.pdf 

Kline and Co., Inc. (2000-2003). The Professional Pest Management Market for Pesticides. 

Kline and Co., Inc. (2000-2007). Professional Turf and Ornamental Markets for Pesticides and 

Fertilizers. 

Kline and Co., Inc. (2004). U.S. Professional and Consumer Fir~ Ant Control Markets. 

Proprietary Data. 1998-2008. 

ATTACHMENT A 

Table A-I: History of Section 18 Requests for Pyripro:xyfen 

DP Barcodt(8) 

Site Pest Applicant Received Response Status for BEAD 

Date Date Assessments, 

If Conduced 

ALMOND FIRE ANTS CALIFORNIA 8/18/1998 213/1999 ISSUED 

ALMOND FIRE ANTS CALIFORNIA 5/5/1999 5/20/1999 ISSUED 

ALMOND FIRE ANTS CALIFORNIA 10/13/1998 10/13/1998 CRISIS 

APPROVED 

BEAN WHITEFLY, FLORIDA 111912005 219/2005 ISSUED SILVER LEAF 

BEAN SILVERLEAF GEORGIA 9/13/2004 9/13/2004 CRISIS 

WHITEFLY APPROVED 

BEAN SILVERLEAF GEORGIA 9/29/2004 1013112004 WITHDRAWN WHITEFLY 

7 
It· , DP Barcode(8) 

Site Ir Pest Applicant Received Res~nse Status for BEAD 

Date Date Assessments, 

It: 

BEAN, SILVERLEAF GEORGIA 7/212001 8/30/2001 ISSUED D276060, 

SUCCULENT WHITEFLY D276061 

CELERY WHITE FLIES CALIFORNIA 91212003 216/2004 ISSUED 

COTTON WHITEFLIES ARIZONA 212611998 5/21/1998 ISSUED 

COTTON WHITEFLY ARIZONA 3/511997 4/15/1997 ISSUED 

COTTON SILVERLEAF CALIFORNIA 3/9/1998 5/21/1998 ISSUED WHITEFLY 

COTTON WHITEFLY CALIFORNIA 1/16/1997 4/15/1997 ISSUED 

FRUIT, CITRUS, CAL. RED SCALE CALIFORNIA 111211999 3/31/1999 ISSUED GROUP 10 

FRUIT, CITRUS, RED SCALE CALIFORNIA 211211998 4/8/1998 ISSUED GROUP 10 

FRUIT, STONE, SAN JOSE SCALE CALIFORNIA 10/3/2000 10/25/2000 ISSUED GROUP 12 

FRUIT, STONE, SAN JOSE SCALE CALIFORNIA 9/28/2001 11/29/2001 ISSUED 278280, 

GROUP 12 278283 

FRUIT, STONE, SAN JOSE SCALE CALIFORNIA 9/24/1999 9/29/1999 ISSUED GROUP 12 

FRUIT, STONE, SAN JOSE SCALE CALIFORNIA 1/8/1999 212211999 ISSUED D252090, 

GROUP 12 D252091 

PEAR PEAR PSYLLA OREGON 1/8/1999 3/5/1999 ISSUED 251358, 

253162; 

PEAR PEAR PSYLLA OREGON 2124/1998 3/4/1998 ISSUED D243579 

PEAR PEARPSYLLA WASHINGTON 2125/1998 3/4/1998 ISSUED 

PEAR PEARPSYLLA WASHINGTON 3/1/1999 3/5/1999 ISSUED 251358, 

253162 

SILVERLEAF 

STRAWBERRY WHITEFLY, CALIFORNIA 10/16/2003 1211212003 ISSUED GREENHOUSE 

WHITEFLY 

8 
Received Response DP.~s) 

Site p.est Applicant Status for-BEAD 

Data Data ~ments, 

If, 

STRAWBERRY SILVERLEAF CALIFORNIA 9/29/2004 11/1212004 ISSUED WHITEFLY 

STRAWBERRY WHITEFLY CALIFORNIA 10/10/2002 11/15/2002 ISSUED D286132 

TOMATO SILVERLEAF FLORIDA 2125/1998 5/15/1998 ISSUED D243712, 

WHITEFLY D244133 

TOMATO SILVERLEAF FLORIDA 4/5/1999 4/20/1999 ISSUED WHITEFLY 

VEGETABLE, 

LEGUME, WHITEFLIES FLORIDA 11/26/2003 215/2004 . ISSUED 

GROUP 

VEGETABLE, SILVERLEAF LEGUME, WHITEFLY FLORIDA 1nt2002 2/5/2002 ISSUED 

GROUP 6 

VEGETABLE, SILVERLEAF LEGUME, WHITEFLY FLORIDA 11/212000 214/2001 ISSUED 

GROUP 6 

VEGETABLE, SILVERLEAF LEGUME, WHITELFLY FLORIDA 1/13/2003 217/2003 ISSUED 

GROUP 6 

Source: EPA (2010); BEAD OffiCIal Records. 

9