UPL Corp Receives California Registration For Organic Lepigen® Bioinsecticide For Diamondback Moth Control

22 December 2025, USA: UPL NA Inc. (UPL) has announced the registration of Lepigen® bioinsecticide in California, a new certified organic biological insecticide for control of diamondback moth (DBM) larvae in key brassica crops.

Diamondback moths can produce as many as 10 generations in a season. The larvae feed on the leaves and heads of crops, causing deformation and creating entry sites for disease pathogens. Over time, these pests have proven to have exceptional adaptability and have developed resistance to a range of commonly used insecticides, making them difficult to control.

Lepigen bioinsecticide uses a novel IRAC Group 31 mode of action with no known cross resistance to effectively control diamondback moth larvae. First, a unique set of baculovirus proteins (PIF complex) promote generalized cell infection and ultimately death in DBM larvae. Subsequently, those infected larvae release billions of viral particles after death, leading to a continuous wave of secondary infection cycles delivering longer residual control in treated fields.

“Growers have seen the effectiveness of commonly used insecticides erode each season against this resilient pest and are looking for new solutions to regain control,” said Pankaj Pathak, PhD, Product Manager, Biocontrols for UPL Corp. “Lepigen bioinsecticide should be applied at frequent 3-to-5-day intervals throughout the growing season for control of 1-2 instars of diamondback moth larvae. Also, the baculovirus in Lepigen is highly selective and has no known effects on beneficial insects and won’t flare other pest populations.”

Key specialty crops included on the Lepigen bioinsecticide label in California include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Lepigen is easy to use and an excellent IPM partner to support resistance management as it is highly compatible with both organic and conventional fertilizers and insecticides, is exempt from Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and has a 0-day Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI).

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