Lanzarta receives full UK approval for forest nursery and in-forest use

June 3, 2026

Lanzarta receives full UK approval for forest nursery and in-forest use

Agrovista Amenity is pleased to confirm that Lanzarta has now received full registration approval in the UK for both forest nursery and in-forest use, providing forestry professionals with a complete two-stage strategy for controlling large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis).

Lanzarta receives full UK approval for forest nursery and in-forest use

Lanzarta is an insecticide specifically developed for the control of large pine weevil, one of the most destructive pests affecting UK forestry. The pest can cause significant damage to newly planted conifer trees, particularly pine and spruce, during the first five years after planting or restocking. Adult beetles feed on the bark of young trees, often girdling the stem and ultimately killing the plant. On heavily affected sites, between 50 and 100 percent of newly planted conifers can be destroyed.

The new approval allows Lanzarta to be used both as a nursery pre-treatment and as a post-transplant forest application, delivering flexible and long-lasting protection throughout the establishment phase of young trees.

In nurseries, treatments are applied in a closed cabinet, helping to protect saplings during their most vulnerable stage. Once transplanted into the forest, supplementary applications can be made using handheld equipment such as knapsack sprayers to target later-emerging weevil generations. Trees can be treated once in the nursery and up to two times in their final planted positions, with a maximum of three applications per plant.

Lanzarta contains 190g/l chlorantraniliprole, a Group 28 insecticide which controls large pine weevil following ingestion of the active substance. The quick-drying SC liquid formulation binds strongly to tree bark, helping to prevent rain wash-off while ensuring residual, long-lasting protection.

For best results, insect activity should be monitored carefully to ensure accurate application timing.

The approval is particularly significant for the UK forestry sector, where Sitka spruce remains highly susceptible to large pine weevil damage. With approximately 35 million Sitka spruce trees planted annually, accounting for around 50 percent of the UK’s £2 billion forestry industry, effective protection during establishment is critical.

By reducing losses from weevil damage, Lanzarta can help lower restocking costs, improve establishment success, and support the development of healthier, more consistent woodland stands.

In addition to its proven efficacy, chlorantraniliprole offers a positive toxicological and environmental profile for non-target organisms and only affects pests feeding on treated plants.

Lanzarta is approved for use in ornamental plant production, including forest nurseries, as well as commercial forestry, amenity woodland, conservation areas, and landscaping projects, giving growers and forestry managers a robust new tool in the fight against large pine weevil.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit https://amenity.agrovista.co.uk/