Flufenoxuron

The Uses of Flufenoxuron

Flufenoxuron is an known insecticide and acts as an insect growth regulator by inhibiting chitin synthesis.

The Uses of Flufenoxuron

Flufenoxuron is used for the control of many phytophagous mites (Aculus, Brevipalpus, Pananychus, Phyllocoptuuta, Tetuanychus, spp) and insect pests on pome fruit, vines, citrus, tea, cotton, maize, vegetables and ornamentals. It is also used as a public hygiene insecticide.

Definition

ChEBI: Flufenoxuron is a benzoylurea insecticide, a member of monochlorobenzenes, a member of (trifluoromethyl)benzenes, a member of monofluorobenzenes and a difluorobenzene. It has a role as a mite growth regulator. It derives from a diphenyl ether.

Metabolic pathway

Information on the metabolism of flufenoxuron is avilable in a Pesticides Safety Directorate review of its use as a public hygiene insecticide (PSD).

Degradation

The DT₅₀ of flufenoxuron (25 °C) was 267 days at pH 7,206 days at pH 5 and 36.7 days at pH 9 (PM).
Flufenoxuron underwent photodegradation to form 2,6-difluorobenzamide (2), the urea derivative 3 and the 4-aminodiphenyl ether 4 in aqueous solution under natural sunlight in the UK (PSD, 1995).

Mode of action

Flufenoxuron acts in a similar manner to diflubenzuron, reducing chitin incorporation in the cuticJe (Clarke and Jewess 1990). It has cuticular and stomach action. It has ovo-Iarvicidal activity. Treated adults lay non-viable eggs (Tomlin 1995).