Bacillus sphaericus (Ref: MV 716) |

Last updated: 24/08/2025
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(Also known as: ABG 6184) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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A gram-positive bacterium insecticide, widespread in soil and used to control mosquito larvae |
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Mosquito larvae, particularly the strain prone to carrying the West Nile Virus |
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Waterbodies |
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- |
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Simple rod-shaped, Gram-positive, spore forming bacterium |
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Class: Bacilli; Order: Bacillales; Family: Bacillaceae |
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Not approved |
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Expired |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Germany |
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Expired |
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No applicable |
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Yes |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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Not applicable |
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No |
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Insecticide; Other substance; Larvicide |
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Bactericide |
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Micro-organism |
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Natural |
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Biological activity - spore-forming bacterium toxic to the target. Microbial disruptor of insect midgut membranes. Ineffective on adult mosquitoes |
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Occurs widely in soils. This particular strain was selected due to its impact on mosquito larvae |
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Public health applications |
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Mosquito larvae, particularly the strain prone to carrying the West Nile Virus |
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Waterbodies |
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Suitable for use in all farming systems where approved for use in that country |
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143447-72-7 |
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- |
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35000.0 |
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Bacillus sphaericus Neide Var. Serotype H5a5b, strain 2362 |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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11B |
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Not applicable |
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Culex pipiens, Culex quinquefasciatus |
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Bacterium |
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Current |
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mid-1960s, first isolated & pesticidal activity identified; 2026, withdrawn UK |
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- VectoLex CG Biological Larvicide
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Often supplied as water dispersible granules which are mixed with water and applied as a spray. Frequent applications required. |
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Commercial production of Bacillus species typically involves large-scale aerobic fermentation. The process begins with selecting a robust strain, often genetically optimised for yield and stability. These bacteria are cultivated in bioreactors under tightly controlled conditions, temperature (usually 30–37 degrees C), pH (neutral to slightly alkaline), and oxygen levels are carefully regulated to maximise growth and productivity. Nutrient-rich media, often containing glucose or other carbon sources, support rapid biomass accumulation. After fermentation, the culture is harvested, and the desired products, such as enzymes or spores, are extracted and purified. |
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There is no publicly available data quantifying the exact GHG emissions from the commercial production of Bacillus sphaericus. However, since it is produced via microbial fermentation, its environmental footprint is generally considered lower than that of synthetic chemical insecticides. |
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10 |
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Moderate |
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0.52 |
P4 P = Other non-EU, UK or US Governments and Regulators 4 = Verified data |
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120 |
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Persistent |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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Non-mobile |
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5000 |
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None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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> 5050 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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Not applicable |
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> 5050 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
Low |
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2000 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat |
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0.09 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source Rat 4 hr |
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Public exposure is unlikely due to patterns of use |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E3 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 3 = Negative |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
?Possibly, status not identified |
✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
?Possibly, status not identified |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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No adverse health issues reported - considered safe |
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No information available |
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U (Unlikely to present an acute hazard) |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Bacillus sphaericus |
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Record last updated: |
24/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |