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Pasteuria usgae (006545) Fact Sheet

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Issued: July 2009

On This Page

  1. Description of the Active Ingredient
  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods
  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health
  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment
  5. Regulatory Information
  6. Producer Information
  7. Additional Contact Information

Summary

Pasteuria spp. are gram-positive, mycelial, endospore-forming bacteria that are endoparasitic to nematodes and water fleas. Pasteuria usgae, a recently discovered strain, is host-specific to the sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus), which can be damaging to a wide variety of crops, particularly turf. Presently, Pasteuria usgae is limited to use in manufacturing of nematicide end-use products intended for eventual application to turf. The associated end-use products are still undergoing Agency review. Once the data supporting these end-use products is reviewed and determinations have been made regarding eligibility for registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), it is anticipated these end-use products will serve as partial replacements for conventional nematicides of continuing concern to the Agency [e.g., methyl bromide (ozone-depleting substance) and 1,3-dichloropropene (probable human carcinogen)]. Use of the manufacturing-use Pasteuria usgae product is not expected to cause any unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment.

  1. Description of the Active Ingredient

    2. Pasteuria usgae is an obligate endoparasitic bacterium of the sting nematode (Belonolaimus longicaudatus), which can be damaging to a variety of crops, particularly turf. The active agent of Pasteuria usgae is an endospore that attaches and infects the host nematode during all life stages (except eggs). Increased moisture, neutral pH, temperatures above 10°C, and sandy soil seem to provide the best environments for spore attachment to the host. After attachment of the endospore, a germ tube penetrates the nematode cuticle and mycelial microcolonies are formed in the pseudocoelom, leading to eventual death of the host. The endospores formed inside the host are released into the soil when the infected nematode decomposes. The spores are non-motile and stable in the soil environment for several years.

  2. Use Sites, Target Pests, and Application Methods

  3. Assessing Risks to Human Health

    4. Based on the required toxicity and pathogenicity tests, no human health risks are expected when the product containing Pasteuria usgae is used according to the label directions. Despite the low toxicological profile of Pasteuria usgae, personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for handlers that may be exposed to the active ingredient, due to their occupation, for prolonged periods. Handlers working with Pasteuria usgae in manufacturing facilities must wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks, shoes, waterproof gloves, and a dust/mist filtering respirator meeting National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) standards of at least N-95, R-95, or P-95. Dietary, drinking water, and non-dietary, non-occupational exposures to Pasteuria usgae are unlikely to occur because the use of the proposed product is limited to manufacturing of nematicide end-use products intended for eventual application to turf (associated end-use products are still undergoing Agency review).

  4. Assessing Risks to the Environment

    5. Adverse effects to terrestrial animals and plants or freshwater and marine/estuarine fish, invertebrates, and plants are not expected as a result of exposure to proposed labeled applications of Pasteuria usgae. Furthermore, “No Effect” (NE) determinations have been made for direct and indirect effects to listed species and their habitat as a result of the proposed uses of Pasteuria usgae. As is typical of manufacturing-use product labels, the environmental hazards labeling instructs manufacturers not to discharge the product into waters of the United States unless in accordance with the requirements of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and only after contacting the permitting authority in writing prior to discharge. Manufacturers are also instructed not to discharge the product to sewer systems without providing the local sewage treatment plant authority with notification.

  5. Regulatory Information

    6. May 5, 2008 – MacIntosh and Associates, Incorporated, acting as the authorized agent for Pasteuria Bioscience, Incorporated, submitted an application to register Pasteuria usgae – BL1 (EPA File Symbol 85004-R) under Section 3 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

    August 13, 2008 – The Environmental Protection Agency announced receipt of the Pasteuria usgae – BL1 application, requesting to register a pesticide product containing a new active ingredient (73 Federal Register (FR) 47166).

    June 2, 2009 – Pursuant to FIFRA section 3(c)(7)(C), a conditional, time-limited registration was issued for the manufacturing-use product, Pasteuria usgae – BL1 (EPA Registration Number 85004-1).

    July 1, 2009 – The Environmental Protection Agency announced approval of an application to conditionally register the pesticide product, Pasteuria usgae – BL1, containing a new active ingredient not included in any previously registered product (74 FR 31426).

  6. Producer Information

    7. Pasteuria Bioscience, Incorporated
    12085 Research Drive, Suite 185
    Alachua, FL 32615

    Pasteuria Bioscience, Incorporated’s Authorized Agent:
    MacIntosh and Associates, Incorporated
    1203 Hartford Avenue
    Saint Paul, MN 55116-1622

  7. Additional Contact Information

    8. Ombudsman, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)
    Office of Pesticide Programs
    Environmental Protection Agency
    1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20460

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