J. MOSIONDZ, OMAFA, Minor Use Coordinator, Guelph
The Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD), formerly known as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), recently announced the approval of an Emergency Use Registration (EUR) request for PYGANIC® insecticide for management of Nesidiocoris tenuis, “Nesi”, on greenhouse grown cucumbers and greenhouse grown tomatoes in Ontario. This EUR request can be used only in Ontario from April 17th, 2026, until April 16th, 2029. The request marks the first agricultural related EUR request to be granted a multiyear term on the grounds of preventing the establishment of a new invasive species.
PYGANIC® insecticide was already labelled for management of insects on a wide range of crops in Canada. This minor use proposal was submitted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness and sponsored by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association in response to increasing crop damage severity from “Nesi” in recent years. There are currently no other pest control products registered for management of this pest in Canada. Research projects at the most recent National Priority Setting Workshops were elevated for capacity analysis considerations to secure a full label for both uses in the future if selected.
The following is provided as an abbreviated, general outline only. Users should be making insect management decisions within a robust integrated insect management program and should consult the complete label before using PYGANIC® insecticide.
| Crop(s) | Target | Rate (L product/ha) | Application Information | Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI) (days) |
| Greenhouse Tomato | Control of Nesidiocoris tenuis | 2.32 – 4.65 | DO NOT reapply within 3 days. 1 to 2 crop cycles per year. DO NOT apply more than 10 applications per cropping cycle. Toxic to bees and other beneficial arthropods (which may include predatory and parasitic insects, spiders, and mites). May harm bees and other beneficial arthropods, including those used in greenhouse production. Avoid application when bees or other beneficial arthropods are in the treatment area. | 0 – harvest permitted on day of application |
| Greenhouse Cucumber | Control of Nesidiocoris tenuis | 2.32 – 4.65 | DO NOT reapply within 3 days. 2 to 6 crop cycles per year. DO NOT apply more than 10 applications per cropping cycle. Toxic to bees and other beneficial arthropods (which may include predatory and parasitic insects, spiders, and mites). May harm bees and other beneficial arthropods, including those used in greenhouse production. Avoid application when bees or other beneficial arthropods are in the treatment area. | 0 – harvest permitted on day of application |
NOTE: Potential residues on tomatoes are covered under the existing MRL of 1.0ppm already established, and a temporary Canadian MRL on cucumbers has been established of ≤0.1 ppm.
Toxic to aquatic organisms. Toxic to bees and other beneficial arthropods (which may include predatory and parasitic insects, spiders, and mites). May harm bees and other beneficial arthropods, including those used in greenhouse production. Avoid application when bees or other beneficial arthropods are in the treatment area.
Follow all other precautions, restrictions, and directions for use on the PYGANIC® insecticide label.
For a copy of the new minor use label contact Cara McCreary, Greenhouse Vegetable Crops Specialist OMAFA, Harrow (519) 981-2851, Josh Mosiondz, Provincial Minor Use Coordinator, OMAFA, Guelph (226) 971-3407, your local regional supply outlet, or visit the PMRA label site http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/registrant-titulaire/tools-outils/label-etiq-eng.php
Note: This article is not intended to be an endorsement or recommendation for this particular product, but rather a notice of registration activity