Spinosyn, a compound that has a broad host range, toxic to different types of insect pests viz., leaf miners, white flies, thrips, aphids, flies, dry wood termites and some beetles prevalently infecting various fruits, vegetables and other field crops. It is an alternative to chemical pesticides.
This compound was isolated from an actinomycetes, Streptomyces parvulus and tested its efficacy in controlling the caterpillar type of pests, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura. Wettable powder formulation of spinosyn was prepared and preliminary field testing against the caterpillar type of pests in vegetable crops has been carried out in a farmer's land. The outcome of the field experiment is encouraging and attempts are being made to scale up the production and formulate it as a biopesticide.
