Isoclast™ Active and Pollinators
Isoclast™ active (sulfoxaflor) protects specialty crops, row crops and fruits and vegetables from crop-damaging sap-feeding pests. Recently, Corteva Agriscience commissioned a review of more than 300 studies of Isoclast, including studies published in open literature and studies conducted by Corteva. Much of this analysis was focused on how Isoclast impacts pollinators.
300+ studies, 3 independent scientists
The review was conducted by three scientists with experience the areas of entomology, environmental science and toxicology. From their review, they have published six manuscripts and an introduction in the peer-reviewed Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B. The scientists developed their conclusions independently using good scientific practices.
Why is this analysis important?
An estimated 20–40% of crops are lost each year to pests.4 Farmers need effective options to control sap-feeding insects that also have minimal effects on beneficial insects like honeybees.
Corteva commissioned this analysis to make more information about Isoclast™ active available to scientists. The results also reinforce for farmers that when they follow the label directions for products containing Isoclast, they can minimize risk to pollinators while protecting their high-value harvests.
3 important conclusions about pollinator effects
The scientists came to three important conclusions about the effects of Isoclast™ active in pollinators.
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1. Field studies of Isoclast applications confirm concentrations in nectar and pollen are below levels considered hazardous to honeybees.1*
Isoclast has one of the largest sets of pollen and nectar studies of any insecticide. A review of these data confirms that Isoclast dissipates rapidly in pollen and nectar, reducing any hazards of exposure for pollinators.
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2. When used as directed, Isoclast does not have significant effects on health, growth or survival of common bee species.2
A review of field studies confirmed that even when actively foraging bees were exposed to the highest labeled application rates of Isoclast, any effects were minor and temporary and did not contribute to the collapse of colonies.
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3. In well-designed experimental studies, no lasting effects on honeybee behavior or hive activity were demonstrated after exposure to Isoclast.3
There are no significant risk concerns for honeybees or their colonies when Isoclast is applied according to the label. The scientists used a model of bee behavior to show how Isoclast residues might be carried back to the hive.
Taken together, the full analysis confirms that when used according to label directions, Isoclast poses minimal risk to pollinators and continues to be a responsible choice for protecting crops.
Additional Materials
Research Review: Isoclast Active and Pollinators
Minimal Exposure from Field to Hive
All of the manuscripts produced from this analysis are available to read:
- Critical Review of the Potential Effects and Risks to Pollinators and Aquatic Organisms from the Agricultural Uses of Sulfoxaflor: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Introductory Comments
- Properties, Mode of Insecticidal Action, Environmental Exposure Pathways, and Uses of the Insecticide Sulfoxaflor: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part I
- Weight of Evidence Assessment of Effects of Sulfoxaflor on Aquatic Invertebrates: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part II
- Acute and Repeated Exposure Toxicity of the Insecticide Sulfoxaflor on Hymenopteran Pollinators: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part III
- Evaluating Pollinator Exposures to Sulfoxaflor via Bee-Relevant Matrices: A Systems-Level Approach Using Semi- Probabilistic Methods for Assessing Hazards: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part IV
- Weight of Evidence Assessment from Field Studies on Effects of the Insecticide Sulfoxaflor on Hymenopteran Pollinators: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part V
- A Quantitative Apis Mellifera Hazard and Risk Assessment Model (AMHRA) Illustrated with the Insecticide Sulfoxaflor: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part VI
*In very limited isolated, individual samples, residues may exceed levels of concern, but the overall concentrations are below those levels.
1 Solomon, K. R., J. R. Purdy, V. J. Kramer, and J. P. Giesy. 2025. “Evaluating Pollinator Exposures to Sulfoxaflor via Bee-Relevant Matrices: A Systems-Level Approach
Using Semi-Probabilistic Methods for Assessing Hazards; Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part IV.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, March, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2025.2478970.
2 Purdy, J. R., K. R. Solomon, V. J. Kramer, and J. P. Giesy. 2025. “Weight of Evidence Assessment from Field Studies on Effects of the Insecticide Sulfoxaflor on
Hymenopteran Pollinators: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part V.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, March, 1–32.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2025.2478964.
3 Purdy, J.R., K.R. Solomon, V.J. Kramer, and J.P. Giesy. 2025. “A Quantitative Apis Mellifera Hazard and Risk Assessment Model (AMHRA) Illustrated with the
Insecticide Sulfoxaflor: Sulfoxaflor Environmental Science Review Part VI.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, March, 1–29.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2025.2478972.
4 Gula, Lori Tyler. February 13, 2023. “Researchers Helping Protect Crops from Pests.” USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, https://www.nifa.usda.gov/
about-nifa/blogs/researchers-helping-protect-crops-pests#:~:text=Between%2020%%20to%2040%%20of%20global%20crop,significant%20biotic%20constraint%20on%20global%20food%20production.