A 1999 residue trial will be conducted in British Columbia through the cooperation of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Registration of A8 for U.S. growers may occur as early as 2000. Other biorationals are nearly at the point of registration for cranberry use. In addition, IGR's are very safe to pollinators. According to Dr. Don Weber, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., the IGR's were discovered when researchers looked at the natural hormones related to molting.
Insects molt between larval stages, called instars, and between larval, pupal and adult stages.
After a great deal of refinement, IGR's have been produced which are very specific and which can be very effective against pests such as Sparganothis and blackheaded fireworm. IGR's are stomach poisons with no contact activity. Like B.t.'s, IGR's have no effect on insects that they're sprayed on - insects have to feed on foliage with IGR residues. According to Weber, that novel mode of action will be needed to manage resistant insect populations. Sparganothis fruitworm has shown resistance to OP insecticides.