Key Takeaways
- Vestaron has received a 120-day emergency use authorization in Portugal for its bioinsecticide SPEAR® LEP.
- The product targets tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a key pest in Portuguese tomato production.
- SPEAR® LEP is derived from peptides found in spider venom and does not exhibit cross-resistance to synthetic insecticides.
- Vestaron is partnering with Spain-based LAINCO to support product deployment and regulatory coordination.
- The approval supports integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture amid rising resistance pressures.
Vestaron’s SPEAR® LEP Approved for Temporary Use in Portugal
Authorization addresses urgent need for new solutions against tomato leafminer
Vestaron has announced that its bioinsecticide SPEAR® LEP has been granted a 120-day emergency use authorization (EUA) in Portugal to help growers control infestations of Tuta absoluta, or tomato leafminer. The pest has increasingly challenged tomato production across the country since its arrival in 2009, especially in the Algarve and Madeira regions.
The emergency authorization responds to a request by the Portuguese grower association COTHN and aims to address growing resistance to traditional insecticides used in tomato fields. Portugal, one of Europe’s largest tomato producers, cultivated approximately 18,440 hectares of tomatoes in 2023, though late-season pest pressures and water shortages have impacted average yields.
Vestaron and LAINCO Partner to Expand Access to Biological Control
SPEAR® LEP introduced with local support and technical expertise
To support the rollout of SPEAR® LEP in Portugal, Vestaron is collaborating with LAINCO, a Spain-based company with decades of experience in agrochemical development and commercialization. LAINCO will assist with product registration, grower outreach, and technical support, ensuring the solution is adapted to local agronomic conditions.
“Portugal joins Italy, Greece, and Cyprus in stepping forward to provide effective and much-needed solutions for growers facing evolving pest challenges,” said Juan Estupinan, CEO and President of Vestaron.
SPEAR® LEP: A Bioinsecticide Designed for Resistance Management
Novel peptide-based mode of action supports IPM programs
SPEAR® LEP is based on naturally occurring peptides found in spider venom and produced through fermentation. It targets lepidopteran pests and is compatible with integrated pest management strategies. The product has been shown to perform comparably to synthetic insecticides in European field trials and poses minimal risks to pollinators.
Importantly, SPEAR® LEP has no known resistance or cross-resistance issues, making it suitable for use in areas where diamide insecticides have become less effective.
Vestaron Corporation
Vestaron Corporation is a crop protection company developing peptide-based insecticides inspired by the venom of spiders and other animals. Its products are designed to be effective while remaining safe for pollinators, beneficial insects, and biodiversity.
Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and founded in 2005, Vestaron’s SPEAR® LEP insecticide has been used on over 650,000 acres and was recently approved for emergency use in Europe. In 2024, the company’s second product, BASIN®, received EPA approval. Vestaron is recognized by the Crop Science Awards, EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge, and the Global CleanTech 100 Hall of Fame.
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