Insecticide Modes of Action

Citrus Entomology Home

Below is a list of the insecticides and acaricides used for pests of California citrus classified by their mode-of-action (In part from IRAC [Insecticide Resistance Action Committee], Sept. 2005, www.irac-online.org). Note that materials with a * or # are not registered on bearing citrus [#] or registration is limited to certain varieties (^,^^) or not registered yet on citrus in CA (*). 

 

To avoid selecting for resistance in citrus pests, try to use insecticides from different groups (modes of action) during the season. 

 

Group

Primary target site

Chemical sub-group or [exemplifying active ingredient]

Pesticides in the group

1A

Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors

Carbamates

Sevin (carbaryl), Lannate (methomyl), Carzol (formetanate hydrochloride)

1B

Organophosphates

Lorsban (chlorpyrifos), Supracide (methidathion), Cygon (dimethoate), Dibrom (naled), malathion, Guthion (azinphos-methyl)

3

Sodium channel modulators

Pyrethroids; Pyrethrins

Baythroid (cyfluthrin), Danitol (fenpropathrin); Pyrethrins & Pyrethrum

4

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists / antagonists

Neonicotinoids

Admire (systemic imidacloprid), Provado (foliar imidacloprid), Assail (acetamiprid), Platinum* (thiamethoxam), Venom* (dinotefuran)

5

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (not group 4)

Spinosyns

Success/ Entrust (spinosad), Delegate* (spinetoram)

6

Chloride channel activators

Avermectins

Agri-Mek/ Zoro/ Clinch (abamectin)

7C

Juvenile hormone mimics

[pyriproxyfen]

Esteem (pyriproxyfen)

9A

Compounds of unknown or non-specific mode of action

[cryolite]

Kryocide (cryolite)

10

Compounds of unknown or non-specific mode of action (mite growth inhibitors)

[hexythiazox]

Onager/ Savey# (hexythiazox), Zeal# (etoxazole)

11B2

Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes

Microbial pesticides

Dipel, Javelin/ MVP (Bacillus thuringiensis products)

12

Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, disruptors of ATP formation

[propargite]

Organotin miticides

Omite (propargite)

Vendex (fenbutatin oxide)

15

Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0, Lepidopteran

Benzoylureas

Micromite^^/ Dimilin* (diflubenzuron)

16

Inbibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1, Homopteran

[buprofezin]

Applaud (buprofezin)

20

Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors (Coupling site II)

[acequinocyl]

Kanemite^ (acequinocyl)

21

Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors

METI acaricides

Nexter (pyridaben), FujiMite (fenproximate)

23

Inhibitors of lipid synthesis

Tetronic acid derivatives

Envidor (spirodiclofen), Movento* (spirotetramat)

25

Neuronal inhibitors (unknown mode of action)

[bifenazate]

Acramite# (bifenazate)

27

Synergists

P450-dependent monooxygenase inhibitors

Piperonyl butoxide

--

Unclassified

[dicofol]

Kelthane (dicofol)

--

Unclassified

[NR-415 Oil]

Various petroleum oils

--

Unclassified

[Spray Sulfur 97%]

Various sulfur formulations

 

* Check registration status; not registered for use on California citrus as of September 2007.

# Check registration status; registered for use only on non-bearing citrus as of September 2007.

^ Registered only oranges, grapefruit and lemons.

^^Registered only on oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos.