Spinosad is a naturally derived macrocyclic lactone consisting of spinosyn A and D. It is produced by a fermentation process using a strain of Saccharopolyspora spinosa. It is highly effective against a variety of ectoparasites of chickens, including the poultry red mite, fowl mites, fleas, ticks and lice.
Spinosad is applied as a diluted spray to the environment and directly on the birds.
Toxicity
There is a low acute and long-term risk to birds to spinosad.
Residues
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established maximum residue levels (MRLs) for spinosad in chicken, set at 0.2 mg/kg for eggs and edible tissues (meat and liver), 0.02 mg/kg for kidney, and 1.0 mg/kg for fat.
