Potato farmers may soon have a new tool for combating the terrible Colorado potato beetle, which is common throughout the U.S. and rapidly develops resistance to conventional insecticides.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to authorize a new type of bio-pesticide based on RNA interference (RNAi) on potato crops for a three-year trial period.

The active ingredient in the pesticide, ledprona, is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). The Colorado potato beetle is extremely vulnerable to dsRNA, which operates by silencing a gene required for the beetle to make a critical protein. The bug stops feeding and dies from metabolic poisons when the gene is turned off.

“This novel mode of action works by triggering a natural process in CPB after ingestion. The active ingredient prevents the production of an essential protein, leading to the death of the pest. CPB will completely stop feeding within 2-3 days after application,” according to a company’s product leaflet.

GreenLight Biosciences, the Massachusetts-based biotech firm that makes the bio-pesticide, plans to market it as a sprayable product under the brand name Calantha.

“Unlike many chemical pesticides, the product degrades quickly in the environment. It is also specific to the Colorado potato beetle, so no other insects are harmed, the company claims,” according to a recent C&EN article.

In May, the EPA granted permission for the insecticide to be tested in 10 states. According to the terms of that permit, GreenLight is obligated to alert the EPA of any hazards to human health or the environment that result from the experimental usage. According to the EPA’s notice announcing the plan on September 29, no safety issues have been documented as of yet.

“If the EPA finalizes the proposal, Calantha would be the world’s first sprayable dsRNA pesticide allowed for commercial use on crops. The agency is accepting public comments until Oct. 13,” the authors also mentioned.