Bee-Friendly Biopesticide Advances in Australia

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In Australia, biobased insecticide company Innovate Ag has announced a partnership deal with Belgium’s Biological Products of Agriculture that will help commercialize Innovate Ag’s Sero-X bee-friendly pesticide.

Sero-X is made up of cyclotides naturally found in plants. Cyclotides have both insecticidal and antimicrobial properties.

Under the terms of the deal, Bi-PA will help develop and register Sero-X outside of Australia and New Zealand. Innovate Ag produces Sero-X at a Goondiwindi pilot plant but is aiming to bring a 10,000 liters per week plant online there this year.

Sero-X has been approved for use on cotton as well as macadamia crops. Australia’s emerging cotton industry uses chemical pesticides that have negatively impacted bee populations. And macadamia growers are particularly challenged in juggling pest control and pollinator health when making crop input decisions.