We have updated the bulletin to include an newer version of the caterpillar comparison figure.
Board of Pesticides Control Update
Stay up to date with the latest from the Board of Pesticides Control. This update covers everything you need to know about upcoming meetings, new rules, and important reminders to keep you and your community safe. We’re here to keep you informed, and we’d like to hear your thoughts—drop us an email anytime at pesticides@maine.gov.
The next Board Meeting is June 6, 2025 it will be hybrid at the Deering Building in Rm 101 in Augusta, ME 04330, and on Microsoft Teams. The meeting starts at 9:00 AM. For more information, visit the Board Meetings Page.
Upcoming Credit Meetings
The following program has been approved for pesticide recertification credits. More recertification opportunities may be found on the BPC Credit Calendar.
June 26, 2025 –2025 Blueberry Hill Farm Field Day
Location: Blueberry Hill Farm, 1643 US-1, Jonesboro, ME
Re-registration of Special Local Needs Permit ME- 100003 – Asulox Herbicide
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control approved the renewal of Section 24(c) ME-100003 on April 25, 2025, to extend the registration for Asulox Herbicide (EPA Registration # 70506-139) for five years. This extended registration is now set to expire on December 31, 2030.
In the absence of other effective control measures for bracken fern in wild blueberry crop fields, this product has proven to be effective, especially in newly cleared land and abandoned fields returned to production.
There are no changes to the SLN label and the application conditions, as listed below, remain the same.
Applications will be no more than once every other year.
Applications will be made during non-bearing years.
Applications will be via spot treatment.
New Active Ingredients in Maine
PDHP25279 is a plant protectant that is derived from the harpin protein in the bacterium Erwinia spp. In a natural or agricultural setting, the harpin protein elicits a defensive response in plants when they are infected by Erwinia. The active ingredient PDHP25279 is a truncated version of the harpin protein, and is practically non-toxic to animals. Application of this plant protectant acts by “priming the immune system” in plants, which in turn increases their resistance to various plant pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and nematodes. When used according to the label, this broad protection in plants poses extremely low risk to animals and the environment.
BPC Reminders and Updates
BPC Portal Reminder
As of 2025, all required Annual Use/Sales Reports must be submitted via the online BPC portal.
The Annual Use/Sales Reporting instructions can help with report submission questions. Note: Reports must be filed under the company profile, which is only accessible by users designated as administrators for the company. Annual summary report options will not display under individual profiles.
Create a login for the BPC online portal and return often for current license, exams, and status at BPC.
If you have questions, please contact BPC staff at pesticides@maine.gov or 207-287-2731.
Spotlight: National Pesticide Information Center
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) is rolling out its “live chat” feature on its website. In case you didn’t know, NPIC is a website resource and call center that is offered through a partnership with EPA and Oregon State University. NPIC states on its website that its objectives are:
Serve as a source of factual, unbiased information for diverse audiences including the agricultural and pest control community, healthcare providers, educators, consumers, and the general public;
Provide information on a wide variety of pesticide-related subjects including, but not limited to, pesticide products, toxicology, environmental chemistry, safety practices, pesticide regulation, enforcement, risk assessment, risk management, environmental effects, clean-up and disposal, understanding the label, recognition and management of pesticide poisonings, and integrated pest management (IPM);
Address current and emerging pesticide-related issues and provide federal, state, and local resources on the topics above in Objective 2;
Provide reputable, science-based information in a manner understandable to a lay audience to help people make informed decisions;
Collect and disseminate quality pesticide incident data via a rigorous and well-defined data collection system;
Provide exceptional customer service by integrating professionalism, teamwork, integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to the public, as well as to the professional and medical communities.
NPIC also offers an herbicide properties tool that may be helpful to some applicators. NPIC also has a call-center service where trained pesticide specialists are available to answer any questions or concerns from anyone. They can be reached Monday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST at 800-858-7378 or emailed at npic@ace.orst.edu
Browntail Moth Caterpillars Active
Browntail moth season has sprung. If you are an applicator and need more resources about this insect, the Maine Forest Service has excellent resources on their website including updates, FAQs, management techniques, and more. At BPC, we also have resources for applicators looking to treat this noxious insect on our browntail moth webpage. For more information about nuisance declarations or health concerns, there is additional information available on the Maine CDC website.
Remember that the first tenet of IPM is to correctly identify your pest! Check out the graphic below for caterpillars commonly mistaken for browntail moths.
Image courtesy of Maine Forest Service
Toxicology Corner
A message from the Pesticides Toxicologist, Dr. Doug Van Hoewyk
Isocycloseram is a novel active ingredient that has insecticidal activity that was recently approved for a variety of uses by the EPA. This pesticide interferes with the neurotransmitter GABA in insects, which causes lethality by dysregulating the nervous system. Isocycloseram is deemed “practically non-toxic” to mammals- including humans- by the EPA, but is highly toxic to honeybees.
Enforcement Reminder
BPC would like to remind applicators about proper identification of treatment sites. Below is Chapter 20, which outlines the requirements and penalties for identifying properties as outlined in CMR 01-026 Board of Pesticides Control Rules, Chapter 20, Section 7.
Section 7. Positive Identification of Proper Treatment Site
A. Commercial applicators making outdoor treatments to residential properties must implement a system, based on Board approved methods, to positively identify the property of their customers. After December 31, 2023, the master applicator responsible for the supervision of certified and noncertified applicators at each branch location must ensure that all applicators under their supervision are trained, annually, on positive identification of proper treatment sites. This master applicator must maintain records of the method of positive identification of proper treatment sites as adopted by the branch location. Appropriate positive identification methods that must be employed include at least one of the following:
Obtain the customer’s electric meter number in advance of the treatment, list it on the work order or invoice, and require the applicator to check for that number before initiating the treatment.
Visit the customer in advance of the treatment, and using a global positioning system (GPS), identify the coordinates of each property to be treated. Include the coordinates on the work order or invoice, equip the applicator with a GPS unit, and require that employee to check for those coordinates before initiating any treatment.
Visit the customer in advance of the treatment and take a digital time/date stamped photo of the home and any distinctive features of the property. Include the photo on the work order or invoice and require the applicator to carefully check the photo before initiating any treatment.
Visit the customer in advance of the treatment and attach a company logo or other unique identifying tag on the property. Include the location of the logo/tag on the work order or invoice and require the applicator to carefully check for its presence before initiating any treatment.
Any methods that were submitted in writing to the Board prior to March 1, 2024. Any methods submitted after this date may be subject to approval by staff.
B. Violations of Chapter 20, Section 7 is grounds for the suspension of certification or licensure under 22 M.R.S.A §1471-D(7).
For a first violation the applicators license/certification may be suspended;
For a second violation under the same master applicator and within the same company within a 5-year period the applicator’s and master’s licensure/certification may be suspended; and
For a third violation violation under the same master applicator and within the same company within a five-year period the applicator’s, master’s, and firm’s licensure/certification may be suspended.
Penalties may also be imposed pursuant to 7 M.R.S.A. § 616-A (2) for violations of Chapter 20, Section 7 in addition to any suspensions imposed under Chapter 20, Section 7 (B)(1), (2) or (3). Nothing in this subsection may be construed as prohibiting the Board from seeking license or certification revocation pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. §§ 1471-D(6) and 1471-J where the Board determines revocation is warranted under the circumstances.
EPA Proposes to Register New Pesticide for Varroa Mite Control
Released on May 29, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to register one technical and two end use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana, a double stranded RNA (dsRNA), for control against Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in honey bee hives.
Varroa mites are parasites that feed on honey bees and transmit numerous honey bee viruses, both of which lead to reduced lifespan of bees. Once infested by Varroa mites, if left untreated, a honey bee colony will likely die. Varroa mites are a national threat to bee colonies and in turn to farmers with crops dependent on pollination services provided by bees, and ultimately to food security in the United States. EPA is prioritizing pesticide applications that target Varroa mites to provide beekeepers with a variety of tools to combat this pest.
No risks of concern to human health or the environment were identified, including risks to federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act. When used according to the label, risks to bees are not expected because Vadescana is highly specific to the targeted gene within Varroa mites.
Additionally, in March 2025, EPA registered a new varroacide product containing l-glutamic acid, an active ingredient that has not previously been included in registered products for use in bee hives. The agency also intends to register another product containing oxalic acid, a slow release varroacide within bee hives, by July 2025. Together, these four end use products are expected to provide new tools, including novel active ingredients, for control of Varroa mites in bee hives.
EPA will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states and honey bee industry stakeholders in coordinated efforts to provide support for the beekeeping community. The agency is also working in collaboration with the National Pesticide Information Center, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Canada’s Ministry of Agriculture for Fisheries and Food to develop educational and training content about bee kill investigations. These efforts include the development of videos available in English, Spanish and French Canadian that provide resources for pesticide decision makers and educate the public about Integrated Pest Management options and legal options of pest control for varroa mites, small hive beetles and wax moths. Additionally, EPA funded the development of interactive training modules to help pesticide applicators to conduct bee kill investigations. The videos are available on the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website.
To read more about the proposed registration of these products and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0558 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 15 days, closing on June 12, 2025.
EPA Announces Proposed Registration of New Active Ingredient Isocycloseram
Released on May 9, 2025
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing for public comment its proposed registration decision for ten products containing the new active ingredient isocycloseram, a broad-spectrum contact insecticide proposed for use on agricultural crops, turf and ornamentals, as well as indoor and outdoor uses for commercial, industrial, and domestic sites. Some of the target pests for these products can cause significant crop damage and financial loss to growers, such as the tarnished plant bug in cotton, Colorado potato beetle in potatoes and diamondback moth in Brassica vegetables. This new active ingredient would give farmers an additional tool to help manage crops and grow more food for our country.
EPA’s Risk Assessments
In addition to its proposed registration decision, EPA has also released its human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, and draft biological evaluation, with the latter including EPA’s Likely to Adversely Affect (LAA) determination for isocycloseram under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). An LAA determination means that EPA reasonably expects at least one listed plant or animal species may be exposed to the pesticide at a sufficient level to have an adverse effect. No human health risks of concern were identified when isocycloseram is used according to the proposed labels. EPA did not identify risks of concern for aquatic and terrestrial plants. EPA did identify potential risks of concern to insect pollinators from spray application, aquatic invertebrates from spray, seed and soil treatments, and chronic risks to birds and mammals ingesting treated rapeseed.
Proposed Mitigations
EPA is proposing the following mitigation measures to reduce potential ecological risks while providing growers with flexibility in controlling pests:
Instructing users to access and follow any applicable endangered species bulletins from the Bulletins Live! Two web-based system for all additional directions and restrictions.
Requiring various labels to include a link to the mitigation menu with run-off and erosion mitigations users can choose from.
Labeling restricting application during rain and when soils are saturated or above capacity.
Prohibiting aerial application for all uses except corn, cotton, potato, and soybean with geographical restrictions for uses on corn and soybean. Geographically specific restrictions will be in Bulletins using Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs).
Requiring a spray drift buffer to most areas, for aerial, ground, and airblast applications.
Prohibiting applications 3-days before and during bloom for orchard crops and applications during hours of the day when bees are most active for indeterminate blooming crops.
Including best management practices, such as maintaining clear communication with local beekeepers, to help reduce the risk to pollinators and to promote the health and habitat of ground-nesting bees.
Requiring advisories to protect pollinators from dust generated from abrasion of isocycloseram-treated seed coatings during planting.
Instructing users on how to effectively cover or collect spilled treated seeds or treated seeds that have become exposed on the soil surface and for the management of excess treated seeds.
With these proposed mitigation measures and Bulletins with associated PULAs for eight listed species in place, EPA’s draft biological evaluation predicts that the use of isocycloseram will not result in a likelihood of future jeopardy for the survival of any listed species, or a likelihood of adverse modification for any designated critical habitat.
Next Steps
After considering public comments on the proposed registration and the draft effects determinations, EPA will decide whether the registration action meets the standard for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. If EPA determines that the registration action can be granted, the agency will finalize its biological evaluation. If a final biological evaluation finds that isocycloseram may affect any listed species or critical habitats, then EPA will initiate ESA consultation and share its findings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively referred to as the Services), as appropriate.
During formal consultation, the Services use the information in EPA’s final biological evaluation to inform their biological opinions. While EPA has made predictions about the likelihood of jeopardy and adverse modification as part of its biological evaluation, the Services are responsible for making any final jeopardy/adverse modification determinations. If the Services determine in their final biological opinions that additional mitigations are necessary to address any jeopardy or adverse modification determination or to address any incidental take, then EPA will work with the registrant to ensure that any necessary registration or labeling changes are made.
To read more about the proposed registration of isocycloseram and to comment, see docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0641 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 30 days, closing on June 10, 2025.
EPA Releases Strategy to Better Protect Endangered Species from Insecticides Using Commonsense Practices, Provides Flexibilities to States and Growers
Released on April 29, 2025
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Insecticide Strategy that identifies practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides, while providing flexibility for pesticide users and growers. The Strategy identifies mitigations aimed at protecting more than 900 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that EPA considers when it registers a new insecticide or reevaluates an existing one.
“Today’s action is another example of how protecting our environment and safeguarding our economy can go hand in hand,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “We have found commonsense ways to keep endangered species safe that won’t place unneeded burden on the growers who rely on these tools for their livelihood, and which are necessary to ensure a safe and plentiful food supply. We are committed to ensuring the agriculture community has the tools they need to protect our country, especially our food supply, from pests and diseases.”
“American agriculture demonstrates that production and stewardship go hand in hand,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “Thank you to Administrator Zeldin for working towards unleashing regulatory burdens for American farmers & ranchers with the release of this final insecticide strategy today. This strategy provides much needed improvements that will undoubtedly better protect U.S homegrown crops from pests and diseases. We look forward to continued partnership with EPA to ensure our growers continue to have the crop protection tools and flexibility needed to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and the world.”
“EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators while also protecting threatened and endangered species. We are grateful EPA has crafted this strategy by listening to, among others, constructive feedback from state agriculture departments, as they are the lead agency tasked with implementing and enforcing pesticide regulations in 43 states as well as the territory of Puerto Rico. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is eager to continue to work with EPA to ensure state lead agencies have the resources and clarity to meaningfully enforce this strategy,” said National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney.
“Farmers are dedicated to responsibly using pesticides, and frequent updates to the pesticide strategies are important to ensure the health and safety of America’s families. EPA understands there cannot be an effective conservation strategy as a nation without a meaningful partnership with farmers and ranchers. As we evaluate the final strategy in full, we urge EPA to continue to refine and improve upon the plan to enable farmers to grow healthy food for the nation while caring for, and improving, the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.
“The American Soybean Association appreciates EPA for incorporating common sense improvements into its Insecticide Strategy, especially with little time to do so before its court deadline. These enhancements will help make Endangered Species Act implementation easier for U.S. farmers; however, more work remains to be done, including reforming how EPA assesses risks to species to ensure the process is using the best available science. ASA thanks EPA for its progress to date and looks forward to working with the agency to advance additional improvements in the days ahead,” said American Soybean Association President and Kentucky Soybean Farmer Caleb Ragland.
“We are appreciative of the EPA’s efforts to identify commonsense ways of protecting endangered species from insecticides,” said National Corn Growers Association President and Illinois Farmer Kenneth Hartman Jr. “Our growers support the agency’s approach to providing mitigation relief through enhanced conservation processes that give growers more credit for their participation than was initially proposed. We look forward to continued dialogue with the EPA as we move forward on the path to protect species as well as the food, feed and fuel supply.”
“We look forward to reviewing EPA’s Insecticide Strategy and appreciate the Agency’s continued efforts to engage stakeholders on mitigations that support fresh produce growers’ ability to produce the healthy and nutritious food Americans require, while being protective of threatened and endangered species. We commit to working collaboratively with EPA to support this evolving effort and ensure that the strategy rewards grower innovations to reduce risk to species,” said International Fresh Produce Association Vice President for U.S. Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock.
“The National Cotton Council thanks the administration for listening to America’s farmers in updating the EPA Insecticide Strategy. By updating buffer distances, tailoring mitigation to real-world conditions, and recognizing conservation efforts, the new strategy strengthens environmental protections without compromising our nation’s safe and secure supply of food, feed and fiber,” said National Cotton Council Chairman and Producer from Tunica, MS Patrick Johnson.
“USA Rice applauds EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s willingness to listen to the concerns of America’s rice farmers and his commitment to developing a more practical, balanced Endangered Species Act Insecticide Strategy. We are particularly appreciative that Administrator Zeldin is improving these strategies with the goals of both protecting species, as well as the livelihoods of farmers. The revised strategy reflects the EPA’s growing recognition of the real-world impacts of regulations at the field level and its efforts to provide the flexibility farmers need to comply. We are likewise optimistic that in the revised strategy, EPA is modifying buffer distance requirements to reflect the mitigating benefits of the technologies that have been developed and implemented by the agricultural sector to reduce spray drift. USA Rice looks forward to continuing to work closely with Administrator Zeldin and the EPA to ensure future policies remain grounded in practicality and science,” said USA Rice Regulatory Affairs and Food Safety Committee Chairman and Arkansas Rice Farmer David Petter.
Earlier this year, Administrator Zeldin announced his Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative to advance the agency’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment while energizing the American economy. Specifically, this Strategy advances Pillar Three: “permitting reform, cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnership.” The final Strategy is the culmination of continued communication between EPA, its federal partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FWS, and other stakeholders.
EPA will continue to work with stakeholders to modify and update these documents as additional information becomes available. In addition, EPA anticipates continued engagement with stakeholders, including our federal and state partners, to ensure effective implementation of the Strategy.
Read the final Insecticide Strategy. The Insecticide Strategy and accompanying support documents, including a Response to Comments document and an updated Ecological Mitigation Support Document describing mitigations and supporting data that inform implementation of both the herbicide and insecticide strategies, will be available on Regulations.gov in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0299.
Background
The draft Insecticide Strategy was released in July 2024 and was followed by a 60-day public comment period during which more than 26,000 comments were received, with over 230 unique comments. In response to information provided through the public comments, EPA made several changes in the final Strategy, supported by scientific analyses, to provide greater flexibility and options for the agricultural community, while ensuring that endangered species are protected. Some of the science-based modifications include:
Reducing buffer distances across all application methods;
Providing credit for any reduction in the proportion of a treated field for ground applications;
Developing a process to qualify conservation programs that will give growers more credit for being part of a conservation program than initially proposed;
Developing a process to qualify external parties that would assess a grower’s farms and determine the existing mitigation points that could be achieved by practices a grower already has in place;
Updating key data sources and identification of invertebrate species that may occur on agricultural fields; and
Adding a Pesticide Use Limitation Area (PULA) group for generalist species that reside in wetlands to reduce mitigations applied outside of wetland habitats.
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