Flonicamid -A novel mode of action for piercing sucking insects

Abstract

Flonicamid is a novel pyridine-carboxamide insecticide (N-cyanomethyl-4-trifluoromethyl nicotinamide, CAS 158062-67-0) that is particularly effective against aphids, Lygus spp. and other piercing/sucking insects. It has been approved for use on a variety of crops at rates varying from 0.044 to 0.089 lb/acre, varying with the insect pest and crop. Flonicamid has plant systemic activity). Aphids and plant bugs respond quickly upon exposure to flonicamid with feeding ceasing within 15 – 30 minutes and death following some time later depending on environmental conditions. In addition, flonicamid’s selectivity for Homoptera and Hemiptera confers an unusually safe profile against non-target beneficial insects as well as for other environmental concerns. Flonicamid possesses a novel mode of action that is distinct from the neonicotinoids (Hancock et al. 2003, Black et al. 2006, and Hayashi et al. 2006. .Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (ISK) discovered it and initial development was conducted by ISK and ISK Biosciences. Flonicamid is now being co-developed by ISK and FMC Corporation. Flonicamid will be marketed in the Americas by FMC and will be sold in cotton as Carbine™ 50 WG. A number of studies have been conducted to determine the mechanism of action of flonicamid. The results of this research clearly show that flonicamid blocks the A-Type potassium channel. This paper is a brief summary of this research.