Diflubenzuron

Diflubenzuron is an insecticide of the benzoylurea class.[2] It is used in forest management and on field crops[3] to selectively control insect pests, particularly forest tent caterpillar moths, boll weevils, gypsy moths, and other types of moths.[1] It is a widely used larvicide in India for control of mosquito larvae by public health authorities. Diflubenzuron is approved by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme.[1]

Diflubenzuron

Names
IUPAC name N-[(4-Chlorophenyl)carbamoyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide
Other names Dimilin
Identifiers
CAS Number	35367-38-5^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:34703^Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL49338^Y
ChemSpider	34065^Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.047.740
KEGG	C14427^Y
PubChem CID	37123
UNII	J76U6ZSI8D^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1024049
InChI InChI=1S/C14H9ClF2N2O2/c15-8-4-6-9(7-5-8)18-14(21)19-13(20)12-10(16)2-1-3-11(12)17/h1-7H,(H2,18,19,20,21)^Y Key: QQQYTWIFVNKMRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N^Y
SMILES Clc2ccc(NC(=O)NC(=O)c1c(F)cccc1F)cc2
Properties[1]
Chemical formula	C14H9ClF2N2O2
Molar mass	310.68 g·mol^−1
Solubility in water	0.08 mg/L
Solubility in other solvents	DMSO: 12 g/100 g Acetone 0.615 g/100 g Methanol: 0.09 g/100 g
Pharmacology
ATCvet code	QP53BC02 (WHO)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of diflubenzuron involves inhibiting the production of chitin which is used by an insect to build its exoskeleton. It triggers insect larvae to molt early without a properly formed exoskeleton, resulting in the death of the larvae.

Environmental toxicity

Diflubenzuron has been evaluated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it is classified as non-carcinogenic. 4-Chloroaniline, a metabolite of diflubenzuron which has been classified as a carcinogen, is produced after diflubenzuron has been ingested. The small amount converted to 4-chloroaniline after ingestion is not sufficient to cause cancer.[4]

Commercial uses

A commercial preparation containing diflubenzuron is sold under the trade name Adept and is used as an insect growth regulator designed to kill fungus gnat larvae in commercial greenhouses.[5][6] It is applied to infected soil and will kill fungus gnat larvae for 30-60 days from a single application. Although it is targeted at fungus gnat larvae, care should be taken in applying it as it is highly toxic to most aquatic invertebrates. It has no toxic effects on adult insects, only insect larvae are affected. Diflubenzuron can cause serious foliar injury to plants in the spurge family and certain types of begonia, particularly poinsettias, hibiscus and reiger begonia and should not be applied to these plant varieties. [5][6]

Diflubenzuron is used as a larvicide in the cattle farming industry. Sold under the name Vigilante, it is formulated as a bolus and is used to control fly populations.[7]

References

1. Diflubenzuron Pesticide Information Profile, Extension Toxicology Network
2. Junquera, Pablo; Hosking, Barry; Gameiro, Marta; Macdonald, Alicia (2019). "Benzoylphenyl ureas as veterinary antiparasitics. An overview and outlook with emphasis on efficacy, usage and resistance". Parasite. 26: 26. doi:10.1051/parasite/2019026. ISSN 1776-1042. PMC 6492539. PMID 31041897.
3. Johnson, Douglas (2016). "Insecticide Recommendations for Soybeans - 2016" (PDF). Cooperative Extension Service. University of Kentucky: College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
4. "Reregistration Eligibility Decision Diflubenzuron" (PDF). Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
5. "ADEPT Insect Growth Regulator" (PDF).
6. "Adept label" (PDF).
7. Kydonieus, Agis F. (2017-10-02). Treatise on Controlled Drug Delivery: Fundamentals-optimization-applications. Routledge. ISBN 9781351406871.