UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

DEC 15 2011 

MEMORANDUM 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Buprofezin (275100) 

FROM: 

THRU: 

TO: 

Monisha Kaul, Biologist 

Biological Analysis Branch 

j C\ I 

Cynthia 

Science Information 

Doucoure, Environmental 

and Analysis Branch 

Protection Specialist 

/ 

G ~ 

Economic 

Andrew Lee, 

Analysis 

Economist 

Branch i C· ~ Biological and Economic Analysis D ision (7503P) 

Arnet Jones, Chief 

Biological Analysis Branch §: 

Diann Sims, Chief ~ Science Infonnation s s Branch 

Timothy Kiely, Chief ~ \ 1 .~ , 

Economic Analysis Branch V\A..; 

Biological and Economic Analysis ivision (75 

James Parker, Chemical Review Manager 

Risk Management and Implementation Branch 1 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P) 

Product Review Panel date: November 2, 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 

of buprofezin, and eventually the general public. This document builds upon the data already 

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

Review teams by BEAD. The document is based on infonnation and data available to BEAD as 

of September 2011. 

Buprofezin is an insect growth regulator and is classified as a Group 16 chemical (chitin 

biosynthesis inhibitor) by IRAC (2011). Buprofezin is available in multiple products either as 

the only active ingredient or in combination with flubendiamide. These products control pests 

such as whiteflies, mealy bugs, leafhoppers, plant hoppers, and scales in a variety of crops. 

USE SITES 

Agricultural Use Sites 

Buprofezin is an insecticide labeled for use on the following agricultural crops: beans 

(succulent), bell peppers, bushberries, grapes, strawberries, citrus, tree nuts, pome fruit, stone 

fruit, coffee, Brassica cole crops, cucurbits, fruiting vegetables, leafy and stem vegetables, cotton 

(fiber crop), specialized field crop (sapodilla), avocado, olives, tropical and subtropical fruit, 

flavoring and spice crop (cress), cotton (non-fiber crop), and'ornamental plants in greenhouses, 

lath and shade houses, and nurseries; landscape ornamentals, ground covers, field and container 

grown ornamentals, non-bearing fruit and nut trees in nurseries, and Christmas trees. 

COMMON FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS 

Buprofezin is fonnulated as a wettable powder and a soluble and emulsifiable concentrate. 

Buprofezin is applied as a foliar application using the following methods: broadcast applications 

using ground or aerial equipment or as a high volume dilute/low volume concentrate/ultra low 

volume spray using ground/airblast sprayers. 

USAGE 

Agricultural Use Trend, 1998-2010 , 

Based on private market pesticide usage data from 1998-2010, agricultural usage ofbuprofezin 

in the u.S. averaged approximately 53,000 pounds annually and was applied on average to 

85,000 acres at an overall average a.i. rate ofO.62Ibs/acre. Buprofezin use remained relatively 

low between 1998 and 2005, after which overall use increased from 2006-2010. Even with the 

slight decrease in use during the latter period, usage levels remained relatively high compared to 

the earlier period as shown in Figure 1 below. Similar results were found in tenns of total acres 

treated. 

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Figure 1. Buprofe~in Use Trends: Pounds AI Applied, 1998-iolO 

'a 

160,000 

.!! 

A. 

CL 

<C 

ci 

." 

'a 

C 

:::s 

0 

CL 

0 

Years 

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2010 

When compared with the earlier period (1998-2005), the data show that the increased use of 

buprofezin between 2006 and 2010 is attributed to increased use on wine and raisin grapes, 

pears, and other crops as shown in Figure 2. Conversely, the data show that the decrease in use 

between 2008 and 2009 appears to be attributed to the decreased use of buprofeziIi on oranges 

primarily, along with raisin and table grapes. However, the increases in use during this period 

offset the slight decreases, resulting in an overall increase in use of buprofezin for the period. 

Figure 2. Comparison of Buprofezin Top Crops for Pounds A.I Applied: 1998-2005 and 2006-

2010 

Grapes, 

Grapes, Raisin 

Table 6% 

5% 

Grapes, 

Wine 

6% 

1998-2005 

Cotton 

39% 

Source: Proprietary Data, 1998-2010 

2006-2010 

Cotton Grapes, 

Raisin 

11% 

6% 

"Other" crops include almonds, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, cucurbits, cherries, citrus, pistachios, potatoes, and 

tomatoes. 

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Agricultural Use 2006-2010 

Based on private market pesticide usage data from 2006-2010, agricultural usage ofbuprofezin 

averaged approximately 102,656 pounds annually and was applied on average to approximately 

151,422 acres at an overall average application rate of 0.68 lbs a.i. per acre. The crops with the 

most pounds a.i. applied were pears (20%), wine grapes (19%), oranges (18%), raisin grapes 

(n %), cotton (7%), and table grapes (6%) as shown in Figure 2. 

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

applied were California (70%), Washington (15%), Georgia (3%) and Arizona (3%), as shown in 

Figure 4 below. The states ranked similarly with regard to total acres treated (TAT) with slight 

percentage increases for all top states except Washington. 

Figure 4. Buprofezin: Top States for Pounds of AI Applied, 2006-2010 

WASHINGTON 

15% 

- -

Source: Proprietary Data, 2006-2010 

CALIFORNIA 

70% 

"Other" states include FL, KS, NC, OR, TN, and VA. 

Agricultural Use: Nurseries and Floriculture 

According to the 2007 and 2011 USDA NASS Agricultural Chemical Usage, Nursery & 

Floriculture reports, buprofezin was reported to be applied in nurseries and floriculture. As 

shown in Table 1 below, use increased considerably from 2006 to 2009. 

T a bl e 1 B upro fi ezm. . U . N sem ursenes . & FI OrICU . ltur e 

Year Sector Pounds orAl Average Rate or 

~ Applied Amilicatjon 

2006 Nursery & Floriculture 200 0.526 

2009 3,700 0.807 

Source: USDA NASS (2007,2011), Agrwultural ChemIcal Usage, Nursery & Flonculture Report. 

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BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO BUPROFEZIN 

Products containing buprofezin alone are insect growth regulators but those products containing 

flubendiamide, IRAC Group 16, are insecticides that act by modulating ryandine receptors. The 

initial use of insect growth regulators, such as buprofezin, in the mid-1990's allowed for 

successful resistance management programs in crops where insecticide resistance had become a 

problem (e.g. whiteflies in cotton). Recently, the Q biotype whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), found in 

25 states and mostly isolated to nurseries, has shown resistance to insect growth regulators as 

well as other insecticides (Dennehy et al., 2008; Leibee et aI., 2011). Resistance has been an 

ongoing problem with whiteflies, and resistance management programs are needed for successful 

whitefly management (Dennehy et al., 2008; Leibee et aI., 2011). The usefulness of buprofezin 

in the future will depend on many factors, including the development of insect resistance. 

HISTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR BUPROFEZIN 

There are no BEAD assessments on buptofezin that are relevant to registration review. 

CONCLUSION 

The increased use ofbuprofezin in the U.S. suggests relatively high benefits in the U.S, 

particularly for some crops such as wine grapes, pears, or.anges, and raisin grapes. In addition, 

buprofezin appears to be a useful pesticide used in resistance management programs. 

REFERENCES 

Alsadek, J. and D. Brassard. 2006. Amendment of March 30,2005 Usage Report in Support of 

HED Chapter for Buprofezin Final Rule, an Insecticide Growth Regulator. October 18, 2006. 

Dennehy, T.J., B. A. DeGain, and V.S. Harpold, 2008. Biotyp designations and 'insecticide 

susceptibility of Southwestern Bemisia tabaci. Vegetable Report (P-152). University of Arizona. 

Online: http://ag.arizona.edulpubs/crops/az1438/az14382a.pdf. Verified: October 11,2011. 

IRAC (2011). Mode of Action Classification. Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. 

Online: http://www.irac-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/091M0A Classification. pdf 

Verified: October 6, 2011. 

Leibee, G.L., L.S. Osborne, C.L. McKenzi, and M.L. Kok-Yokomi, 2011. Toxicity of 

Imidacloprid to Bemisia tabaci Type Q collected from Florida. Mid-Florida Research and 

Education Center. University of Florida. Online: 

http://mrec.ifas.ufl.eduiLSOlbemisiaibemisia.htm. Verified: October 11,2011. 

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Proprietary Data (1998-2010) 

USDA NASS (2007, 2009), Agricultural Chemical Usage, Nursery & Floriculture Report. 

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