PRINCIPLE WP Biological Insecticide | Improved Formula
OMRI Listed BioWorks PRINCIPLE WP uses Beauveria bassiana strain BW149 to control aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs, and other labeled pests.
BioWorks PRINCIPLE WP Biological Insecticide is an OMRI Listed biological insecticide and miticide powered by 21% Beauveria bassiana strain BW149, a beneficial fungal microorganism that helps control or suppress destructive greenhouse, nursery, landscape, turf, and crop pests. The current label identifies the active ingredient as 21% Beauveria bassiana strain BW149 with a minimum concentration of 1 x 10¹⁰ CFU/g of product, and product details list a 4-hour REI and 0-day PHI.
Designed for modern IPM and organic production programs, PRINCIPLE WP provides biological pest control for key pests such as thrips, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, diamondback moths, cabbage loopers, and many other labeled insects. Its contact-based mode of action allows fungal spores to attach to the pest, germinate, penetrate the cuticle, and grow within the insect, helping reduce feeding pressure and pest populations when applied early with thorough coverage.
Product Snapshot
| Feature |
Details |
| Product Type |
Biological insecticide/miticide |
| Active Ingredient |
21% Beauveria bassiana strain BW149 |
| Formulation |
Wettable powder |
| Organic Use |
OMRI Listed for certified organic production, subject to listed restrictions |
| EPA Reg. No. |
68539-22 |
| REI |
4 hours |
| PHI |
0 days |
| Primary Use Sites |
Greenhouse, shadehouse, nursery, landscape, interiorscape, turf, ornamental plants, and labeled crops |
| Key Target Pests |
Aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs, caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, psyllids, plant bugs, and more |
PRINCIPLE WP is OMRI Listed with restrictions and is categorized for crop pest, weed, and disease control under NOP biopesticides.
Key Benefits
| Benefit |
Why It Matters |
| Biological mode of action |
Helps manage pests through fungal spore infection rather than conventional chemical activity |
| Strong IPM fit |
Useful as a rotational or tank-mix partner in resistance management programs |
| OMRI Listed |
Suitable for organic production programs when used according to organic requirements |
| Broad labeled use |
Fits many professional growing environments, including greenhouses, nurseries, landscapes, ornamentals, turf, and labeled food crops |
| 0-day PHI |
Can be applied up to the day of harvest on labeled crops |
| 4-hour REI |
Supports practical re-entry timing for commercial operations |
| Tank-mix flexibility |
Compatible with many insecticides and some fungicides, while still requiring label-based compatibility checks |
| Crop safety focus |
Demonstrated plant safety at labeled rates, with testing recommended for sensitive varieties and tank mixes |
The label states that the product is physically and biologically compatible with a wide range of insecticides and spray adjuvants, compatible with some fungicides, and should always be used according to the most restrictive label directions in any mix.
How BioWorks PRINCIPLE WP Works
PRINCIPLE WP contains live spores of Beauveria bassiana strain BW149. When spores contact a susceptible pest, they attach to the insect’s outer surface, germinate, and penetrate through the cuticle. The fungus then develops inside the pest, helping cause mortality and reducing pest pressure over time. For best results, apply at the first sign of pests and maintain strong coverage of the upper and lower leaf surfaces.
Target Pest Chart
| Pest Category |
Examples of Labeled Pests |
| Aphids |
Green peach aphid, melon aphid, potato aphid, root aphid, rose aphid |
| Thrips |
Western flower thrips, greenhouse thrips, onion thrips, chili thrips |
| Whiteflies |
Greenhouse whitefly, silverleaf whitefly, sweet potato whitefly, tobacco whitefly |
| Mealybugs & Hemiptera |
Citrus mealybug, grape mealybug, longtailed mealybug, plant bugs, psyllids |
| Caterpillars |
Diamondback moth, cabbage looper, imported cabbage worm, corn borers |
| Beetles & Weevils |
Colorado potato beetle, flea beetles, root weevils, cucumber beetles |
| Other Pests |
Grasshoppers, crickets, mushroom flies, phorid flies, spider mites, leafhoppers |
The target pest groups include aphids, beetles, caterpillars, crickets and grasshoppers, flies, leafhoppers, mealybugs, plant bugs, planthoppers, psyllids, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies.
Application Rate Guide
| Application / Pest Situation |
Rate |
| Most listed pests |
1/2 - 2 lb per 100 gal |
| Whiteflies, mealybugs, aphids |
1/2 - 1 lb per 100 gal |
| Thrips |
1 - 2 lb per 100 gal |
| High-volume sprays |
Up to 2 lb per 100 gal |
| Low-volume sprays |
1/2 - 2 lb per 5,000 - 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Cutting dip |
1/4 - 1/2 dry oz per gallon |
Rates vary by pest, crop, application method, pest pressure, and foliage density. The label also lists separate per-acre rates for outdoor listed crops and allows higher per-acre rates under high pest pressure or dense foliage.
Best Use Recommendations
Apply PRINCIPLE WP early, before pest populations become severe. Use enough spray volume to achieve thorough coverage while avoiding runoff. For low to normal pest pressure, applications are typically made every 5 to 10 days. Under heavy pest pressure, especially with whiteflies and aphids, shorter 2 to 5 day intervals may be used as directed by the label.
Label reminder: Always read and follow the full product label before use, including crop, pest, state registration, PPE, tank-mix, application timing, and rate instructions.
