Brazil’s MAPA requests urgent review of Spidoxamat for citrus greening control

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) has requested "urgent analysis of products containing the active ingredient Spidoxamat" from Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources). 

Spidoxamat is an active ingredient developed to control citrus greening (huanglongbing, or HLB).

The request was prompted by a petition from the Citrus Production Chain Sectoral Chamber for "urgent analysis of products containing the active ingredient Spidoxamat." 

"Furthermore, it should be noted that MAPA's General Coordination of Plant Protection has issued a technical statement emphasizing the severity of the disease and the need for new control measures, especially new active ingredients," the MAPA document stated.

The request was sent by the Agricultural Defense Secretariat's Department of Plant Health and Agricultural Inputs, an agency linked to MAPA's General Coordination of Pesticides and Related Products. The document emphasized the severity of greening infestation in Brazil and the need to prioritize the evaluation of these products, which have already been analyzed by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency).

Greening is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, spread by the insect vector Diaphorina citri. The pest attacks all types of citrus, and there is no cure for infected plants. Young affected trees fail to produce fruit, while mature producing trees suffer from premature fruit drop and decline over time.

Bayer's Insecticide Development

Earlier this year, Bayer announced it had developed an insecticide formulated with the spidoxamat molecule (CAS 907187-07-9, IRAC 23). Under the brand name Plenexos, the insecticide targets sucking insects in general, such as aphids, whiteflies, and others.

Bayer has already presented Plenexos at several events and projects its commercial launch for 2026. According to the manufacturer, one of the product's advantages is its selectivity for natural enemies and pollinators. The pesticide can be applied via foliar, soil, and aerial applications, with a mode of action (MOA) in the acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) enzyme inhibitor group.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)