DuPont Professional Products announced that its Provaunt insecticide, featuring a new chemistry and mode of action for controlling caterpillars and other key turf and ornamental pests, is now registered for use in California. The product has low application rates and an "excellent" environmental and toxicological profile, according to DuPont.
California is home to many damaging turf insects such as the fall armyworm, sod webworm, black cutworm and the European crane fly. Based on a new class of chemistry, Provaunt is designed to be effective in controlling these pests and other insect species. Indoxacarb, the active ingredient in Provaunt, features a unique mode of action that leverages an insect’s own enzymes to convert to the MetaActive compound. Because most turf insects have never been exposed to this active ingredient, there are no cross-resistance issues.
“Many golf course superintendents and lawn care operators in California treat sites near water and are seeking a product with minimal impact on the environment,” said Nick Grasafe, west coast sales representative for DuPont Professional Products. “The active ingredient in Provaunt™ has been classified as reduced-risk by the EPA. Provaunt is not a Restricted Use Pesticide and there is no required buffer zone around water.”