TOPBUXUS ABC vs XenTari: What Happened to the Name?
Why did the name change?
XenTari is a trade name owned by Valent BioSciences for its Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai formulation. TOPBUXUS packaged and sold it under that name to UK and European gardeners for years, which is why almost every piece of advice written before 2025 — including the earlier version of this site — tells you to buy XenTari.
The consumer packs are now branded TOPBUXUS ABC, standing for Anti Box Tree Caterpillar. Product branding changes like this are routine and usually reflect licensing rather than reformulation. What matters to you is the active ingredient, and that has not changed.
The one thing to check
Whatever the pack says on the front, look for Bacillus thuringiensis in the ingredients. That is the thing that kills the caterpillars. Any product with it will work; any product without it is something else.
Is anything actually different?
| TOPBUXUS XenTari (old) | TOPBUXUS ABC (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Bacillus thuringiensis | Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Format | 3 g sachets | 3 g sachets |
| Pack size | 5 sachets (15 g) | 5 sachets (15 g) |
| Coverage | 30 m² per sachet, 150 m² per pack | 30 m² per sachet, 150 m² per pack |
| Mixing | 1 sachet to 3 L water | 1 sachet to 3 L water |
| Shelf life | About 3 years | About 3 years |
| Safe for bees | Yes | Yes |
| Currently listed on Amazon UK | No — delisted | Yes |
The practical difference is availability. The XenTari listings have gone, and links to them — including the ones on the old version of this site — now lead to a Page Not Found. That is the whole story.
Recommended
TOPBUXUS ABC — Anti Box Tree Caterpillar — 15 g treats 150 m² · 5 × 3 g sachets
What about other Bt products?
Bt is sold under many names worldwide — Dipel, Thuricide, Lepinox and others. They are not interchangeable in every detail: different subspecies target slightly different insect groups, and aizawai and kurstaki are the two you will meet for caterpillars. Both work on box tree caterpillar.
In practice, availability decides this for UK gardeners. TOPBUXUS ABC is the one packaged in domestic quantities, sold in the UK, and dosed for box. That is why it is what we recommend, and it is what I use in my own garden. Our full review covers mixing, spraying and the mistakes that make people think Bt has failed.
Recommended
TOPBUXUS ABC — Anti Box Tree Caterpillar — 15 g treats 150 m² · 5 × 3 g sachets
Should I use up an old pack of XenTari?
Yes, if it has been stored dry, dark and cool and is within its date. Bt keeps for around three years in those conditions. A pack that has spent two summers in a hot shed or a damp garage is a different question — heat and moisture are what degrade it, and a weak spray that fails will cost you a generation of caterpillars.
If you are unsure, treat a small section of hedge and check it after 48 hours. Live Bt stops feeding fast enough that you can see the difference.
If you buy one product, buy this. It is the same Bacillus thuringiensis sachet that was sold as TOPBUXUS XenTari for years — same active, same 3 g per 30 m² dose, new name. It stopped the feeding in my hedge within a day, and it is harmless to bees, birds, pets and children.
Check price on AmazonFrequently asked questions
Is TOPBUXUS ABC the same as XenTari?
Yes. TOPBUXUS ABC is the current name for the Bacillus thuringiensis sachets that TOPBUXUS previously sold as XenTari. The active ingredient, the 3 g sachet format, the pack size and the dose rate of one sachet per 30 m² are all unchanged. Only the branding is different.
Why can I not find XenTari on Amazon any more?
The XenTari-branded listings have been delisted and replaced by TOPBUXUS ABC. Old links to the XenTari product page now return a Page Not Found error, which is why so much older advice — and older affiliate links — appears to be broken.
Does TOPBUXUS ABC work as well as XenTari did?
It works identically, because it is the same formulation. There is no reformulation involved: the active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiensis in both cases, and the application instructions are the same.
What does ABC stand for?
Anti Box Tree Caterpillar. It is a descriptive name rather than a chemical one, which is part of why it is harder to find if you are searching for the active ingredient or the old trade name.
Is TOPBUXUS ABC approved for use in the UK?
It is sold openly to UK gardeners through mainstream retailers. Bt products have a long history of professional and amateur use in the UK and the EU, and Bt is one of the few insecticidal agents permitted in certified organic growing. Always follow the dose and safety instructions on the pack you buy.
Can I mix TOPBUXUS ABC with other products?
It can be tank-mixed with TOPBUXUS Health-Mix, the foliar feed, so one pass does both jobs — treating the caterpillars and feeding the plant. Do not mix it with anything containing a fungicide or a broad-spectrum insecticide unless the label explicitly says you can.
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