Facts on Abietiv
Facts on Abietiv™
(Balsam Fir Sawfly Nucleopolyhedrovirus)
What is Abietiv™?
Abietiv™ (NeabNPV) is the trade name for the balsam fir sawfly control product that was tested by the Canadian Forest Service and submitted to, and registered by the Health Canada-Pest Management Regulatory Agency for operational use in reducing populations of this sawfly. Much of the field research with this naturally occurring control product was conducted in western Newfoundland.
What is NeabNPV?
NeabNPV is a nucleopolyhedrovirus belonging to the Baculovirus group. It is a naturally occurring biological control agent of the sawfly and is the active ingredient in Abietiv™. NeabNPV was field collected from balsam fir sawfly in western Newfoundland. NeabNPV is believed to have caused the collapse of previous balsam fir sawfly outbreaks.
How is Abietiv™ produced?
Production areas with high populations of sawfly larvae are treated with the product and infected sawfly larvae are then collected. NeabNPV is extracted in the laboratory from these diseased larvae and then produced into Abietiv™.
Has Abietiv™ (NeabNPV) been tested?
NeabNPV was isolated from western Newfoundland in 1997 and was tested in the province, on an experimental basis as part of forest insect control programs from 2000 to 2005. Over 22 500 hectares were aerially treated during this time.
How much forested area has been treated with Abietiv™ since 2006 ?
More than 40 000 hectares of infested forest in Western Newfoundland has been treated since 2006 as part of operational insect control programs. These programs have been carried out by the Provincial Department of Natural Resources - Forestry Services, subject to the necessary approvals from the Provincial Department of Environment and Conservation.
What are the benefits of using NeabNPV (Abietiv™)?
NeabNPV occurs naturally in the balsam fir sawfly population. The registered control product Abietiv™ is derived from field collected sawfly larvae infected with this natural agent. The Newfoundland control programs introduced more of the natural control agent (NeabNPV) into the population in order to cause an earlier collapse of the sawfly infestation and thereby minimize the impact of this pest, particularly on silviculture and second growth balsam fir stands.
What impact does Abietiv™ (NeabNPV) have on the environment?
NeabNPV is a naturally occurring agent already found in the sawfly population. Research indicates that NeabNPV is very specific and only affects this sawfly species and several other closely related sawflies.
Will Abietiv™ affect other non-target organisms?
Tests carried out by, or on behalf of, the Canadian Forest Service, as part of the data package for federal registration, indicated no significant adverse impact on various indicator test species such as leafcutter bees, two leafrollers, honey bees, an aquatic crustacean (Daphnia), rats, mice and white rabbits. In addition, other research on the group to which NeabNPV belongs has shown no impact on plants.
What effect does Abietiv™ have on humans?
Baculoviridae are restricted to arthropods. Because of the very specific nature of this product, there is no impact on humans.
Is it safe to eat fish, meat of game animals and berries from treated areas?
Yes. NeabNPV (Abietiv™) was isolated from and occurs naturally in the balsam fir sawfly population and its environment. Because this natural product has no impact on humans, vertebrates or plants, it is safe to eat fish, meat or berries from treated areas.