Acelepryn treatment of lawn turf - Your questions answered

Acelepryn has been approved by the UK regulatory authorities for the treatment of 100% of residential lawns by lawn care professionals, subject to a LERAP assessment of any water feature (see below).

The product is also approved for professional application of commercial lawns up to a maximum of 10% of the treated lawn area per year.  

Acelepryn is also permitted for treatment of amenity turf situations and sports turf surfaces, up to a maximum of 10% of the treated area per year for:

• Golf – Greens; tees; fairways and semi-rough
• Race courses & gallops
• Sports pitches
• Bowling greens
• Airfields    

Acelepryn is registered as a professional product that can only be applied by licensed and qualified professional lawn care operators. The approved label recommendations must be followed for every application.

Yes, turf production is classified as amenity turf, with permitted application up to a maximum of 10% of the area being treated.

This was the decision of the regulatory authority in assessing the data submitted for Acelepryn registration.

One application per year at a rate of 0.6 litres of Acelepryn per hectare.

Acelepryn may be applied using a mounted boom sprayer, walk behind pedestrian sprayer or knapsack sprayer.

When using a boom sprayer the Syngenta XC Soil Nozzle is recommended to optimise the volume of spray reaching to soil surface as quickly as possible, as well as the coarse spray pattern reducing the risk of drift.

For knapsack application a conventional anvil nozzle can be used.

Measures to reduce drift - including nozzle selection, boom height, sprayer speed and operating pressure – will ensure more spray reaches the intended target and minimise any non-target application. 

The label for Acelepryn states that the product should be diluted in 500 to 600 litres of water per hectare.

For a knapsack application at an equivalent rate of 600 l/ha that would be:

Acelepryn is available in 0.6 litre and 3.0 litre packs, sufficient to treat one hectare and five hectares respectively.

The full regulatory approval for Acelepryn means that part-used packs can now be stored in approved storage containers for subsequent use.

No, but it is good practice to monitor population levels to justify treatment. A record of historical damage is a strong indication of pest presence and future issues.

Best application time for chafer larvae is at peak flight of the adult beetles of the targeted species. This can vary through the season for the different species involved. The aim is to have applied Acelepryn when eggs have been laid but before emergence, to have the product in the soil to target larvae at the earliest possible timing.

Acelepryn is most effective on the early 1^st and 2^nd instar stages of the larvae life cycle. Larger 3^rd instar stages are unlikely to be effectively controlled. Chafer species with a two or three year life cycle may have larvae in the soil that are too large for control in the first year of treatment and will continue to emerge in subsequent seasons; it may require two or three years of successive treatments to make a lasting impression on pest larvae numbers.

Additional cultural and integrated controls may help reduce the impact of these larger larvae, until a more sustainable population control strategy can be maintained.

Leatherjackets are the soil dwelling larval stage of crane fly (Daddy long legs), with the specific species Tipula paludosa the most problematic for lawns and turf and the primary target.

The optimum timing for Acelepryn application has been in the autumn, with the peak flight of adults of this species; other species of crane fly can be frequently be seen over the spring and summer. Previous pest monitoring has shown peak flight of target crane fly species would typically be occurring through late September and October.

This late autumn timing would ensure that Acelepryn is in the soil to target leatherjacket larvae at their early instar stages.

Acelepryn is only permitted for one application per season. Best results for leatherjackets are achieved with applications in the late autumn to target early larval stages.

If damage is being seen in the spring, use cultural practices including nutrition and moisture management to mitigate any impacts of the pest.

The label is very specific in advising a water volume of 500-600 litres per hectare. Using the upper end of this water volume will enable the product to get to the base off the leaf and down towards the soil. Selecting large orifice nozzles with coarse droplets can minimise spray retention on the leaf and get more down to the soil. Keeping the soil moist can encourage target larvae to remain near the surface and in contact with the Acelepryn.

Surfaces should be kept irrigated where possible, to attract pest larvae towards the surface and into contact with the Acelepryn. Aim to keep the soil moist, but not over wet or waterlogged.

Trials have shown there is no adverse effects when Acelepryn is applied before, during or after light rain. Avoid conditions that could lead to wash off the surface or pooling of surface water.

Acelepryn has a LERAP rating on its label that dictates no spray must fall within five meters from the top of a waterside bank. However, a LERAP assessment can be made by qualified operators to assess the possibility to reduce this through engineering controls of spray techniques and drift mitigation processes.

The Acelepryn label carries a statutory "Dangerous to bees" warning. It stipulates some measures that operators must follow to protect bees and pollinating insects from exposure and potential risks. When these measures are followed, the UK Regulatory Authority has permitted Acelepryn is safe for use on lawns, amenity turf and sports turf surfaces.

Acelepryn was approved in 2023, having PASSED all the latest UK regulatory tests and standards when used in accordance with the label for safety to the:

• Environment
• Soil
• Water
• Plants
• Operators
• Consumers 

Chlorantraniliprole, the active ingredient in Acelepryn, can have an effect on a range of species belonging to the order Lepidoptera (moths) and some other Coleoptera (beetle), Diptera (fly), and Isoptera (termite) species.

This makes it a highly effective product used for pest control around the world. However, it does require care to avoid affects on non-pest insect species. As with any pesticide product, always read the label and follow the specific restrictions to minimise risks to non-target organisms.

Full scientific studies have been undertaken as part of the regulatory process to assess safety for human toxicology. No concerns have been highlighted when the product is used in accordance with the label recommendations.

The research to assess safety to animals has also been fully evaluated by the independent regulatory authority, with no concerns having been highlighted.

Immediate access is permitted with no restrictions indicated on the label.

Yes, returning clipping on the lawn gives the opportunity for any Acelepryn on the leaf surface to move down into the soil. Pest larvae feeding on the clippings will also ingest the Acelepryn.

If clippings are normally returned to the lawn surface, then mowing the day after application should prove adequate. If clippings are normally removed, however, then leaving them on the surface to mulch for two cuts after application would be preferable.

There is no restriction on the Acelepryn label for composting clippings.

The label states “Avoid using less than the labelled rates of ACELEPRYN”. The recommended rates have been assessed through a series of efficacy trials designed to assess the minimum rate required to achieve a desired level of control; any reduction in rate used could lead to lower levels of control.  Maintaining the specified rate is also an essential element of the resistance management strategy, since reduced rates could lead to resistance building in the insect population.

Resistance is considered as part of the approval process and is one of the reasons why only one application is permitted per year.

With good practice for product timing and application technique to optimise levels of control the risk of resistance developing can be minimised. The use of Acelepryn in an Integrated Pest Management strategy (IPM), including cultural controls and research into the use of beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes, will further help with resistance management.

Compatibility trials have shown Acelepryn can be physically tank mixed with other products, providing the timing of treatment and the application technique for Acelepryn to reach the soil are not compromised. 

Acelepryn has been tank mixed in trials with many wetting agents or other products and, to date, no issues have occurred.

A jug test prior to mixing product combination in the tank is always recommended.

No benefits have been seen to the Acelepryn efficacy from any tank mix combinations to date.

There are no specific temperature recommendations for application. However, weather conditions and temperatures will affect target insect flight activity and subsequent application timing. This places focus on applying in the optimum period in the autumn, before soil temperatures decline.

No protective equipment is required on UK label for Acelepryn use. However the use of gloves and avoiding contact when handling any products and spray equipment would always be advocated and supported as best practice.

Acelepryn must always be stored in its original container, tightly closed, in a secure, dry, cool, and well-ventilated place. It should be kept out of the reach of children, away from food, drink, and animal feeding stuffs. Additionally, the product should be protected from frost.

The full approval for Acelepryn means that, unlike the previous Emergency Authorisations, there is no time limit on storage from one season to the next. Acelepryn has a long shelf life when stored in suitable conditions.

Wash out the container thoroughly with a triple rinse, returning the rinsing’s into the spray tank for application across the treated area, ensuring you stay within the 0.6 l/ha application rate. Clean packaging can be recycled or disposed of through a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor or collection, according to local regulations.

The Syngenta website contains answers to most questions relating to Acelepryn use, including the statutory label, safety data sheet and best use guidelines.

For further information on pesticide regulatory details and application advice, visit the HSE.CRD website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pesticides/index.htm