UPL Brazil – a UPL Group company, a global supplier of sustainable agricultural solutions – announces the launch of NeoTackler, a bioinsecticide for the control of corn leafhopper ( Dalbulus maidis ), whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci ), and coffee berry borer ( Hypothenemus hampei ). Developed to facilitate operational management, it guarantees the control potential provided by Beauveria bassiana, its active ingredient. This fungus is protected from environmental adversities by the product's innovative formulation, which favors its safe delivery during application. NeoTackler reinforces UPL's presence in the crop protection segment, where it holds a leading position in insecticides for the control of sucking pests, and represents an important advance in the development of biosolutions adapted to field conditions.
The new product was developed based on feedback from producers and researchers, focusing on the challenges faced in different regions of the country. Its formulation promotes the homogeneous distribution of conidia (structures responsible for the reproduction and infection of the fungus) and helps preserve their viability until contact with pests. Key differentiators include a 12-month shelf life without refrigeration, the longest shelf life among bioinsecticides available on the market (provided storage recommendations are followed), and proven compatibility with over 90% of tested pesticides. These characteristics facilitate its incorporation into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, a strategy that contributes to the diversification of modes of action and the control of insect resistance.
Cristiano Figueiredo, CEO of UPL Brazil, states: “Brazilian agriculture demands increasingly innovative solutions to combat highly complex pests, preserve productivity, and ensure the competitiveness of rural producers. Our strategy is to anticipate these needs, transform the challenges identified in the field into opportunities for technological development, and expand management possibilities. NeoTackler embodies this vision by incorporating a groundbreaking technology, developed in Brazil and with the potential for global reach, that strengthens the integration between chemical and biological solutions. This launch consolidates our commitment to more efficient and sustainable crops, prepared for the challenges of this and, especially, future harvests.”
NeoTackler's performance was evaluated in different agricultural regions. In 12 studies, its inclusion in management programs provided an average increase of 3.5% in productivity. One example comes from Catalão (GO), where an untreated soybean area produced 53.4 sacks per hectare, while the isolated application of the bioinsecticide raised this result to 55 sacks/ha and the exclusive use of the chemical insecticide Sperto, from UPL, reached 56.1 sacks/ha. The combination of the two products showed the best performance, with 57.7 sacks/ha, a gain of 4.3 sacks/ha (or 8%) compared to the untreated area. In corn, studies identified efficiency gains in leafhopper control in various locations, with an average increase of 3 percentage points and results that reached 19 percentage points in Jataí (GO).
Mariana Yama, biocontrol manager at UPL Brazil, explains: “The success of a bioinsecticide depends on how many viable conidia reach the pest. With NeoTackler's formulation technology, the fungus is protected from packaging until the moment of infection, preserving its biological potential throughout the entire process. By ensuring greater survival and delivery of conidia to the target, we increase the probability of infection and the effectiveness of pest control from the nymph to the adult stage. In other words, NeoTackler not only offers a biological agent, but also the technology necessary to protect it until it fulfills its function in the control field. It is the combination of advanced formulation and natural biological mechanism working together to deliver superior results.”
Technology never before seen in the world.
The unique formulation is at the heart of Aurivis technology, a world first and patented by UPL, developed by its team in Brazil at the Ituverava (SP) factory. Its distinguishing feature lies in the combination of co-formulants, substances that protect and stabilize Beauveria bassiana , a fungus sensitive to environmental conditions and hydrophobic, meaning it has difficulty dispersing in water. This innovation demonstrates that the effectiveness of a bioinsecticide depends on both the active ingredient and the formulation that preserves its viability, an aspect especially relevant in the face of climatic variations associated with El Niño. NeoTackler marks Aurivis' debut in the country, with plans for international expansion, and reinforces the leading role of national research in the development of biological solutions.
Mariana adds: “One of the great advances of this launch is facilitating access for rural producers to a sophisticated biological technology, but with characteristics that simplify its storage, preparation, and application. We have managed to transform scientific knowledge about microorganisms into a more practical solution that integrates into farm routines and expands the tools available to combat pests with high economic impact and difficult control. This operational ease is fundamental for farmers to have confidence in incorporating biologicals into their crop protection strategies, with greater predictability in application planning. It is an important step towards expanding the adoption of bioinsecticides in Brazil and bringing the benefits of this technology to different regions of the planet.”
