Flubendiamide, N2 -[1,1-dimethyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl]-3-iodo-N 1 -[2-methyl-4-[1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl]phenyl]-1,2-benzenedicarboxamide, is a novel class of insecticide having a unique chemical structure. The uniqueness of the structure results from three parts with novel substituents; a heptafluoroisopropyl group in the anilide moiety, a sulfonylalkyl group in the aliphatic amide moiety, and an iodine atom at the 3-position of the phthalic acid moiety. The compound shows extremely strong insecticidal activity especially against lepidopterous pests including resistant strains. Flubendiamide would have a novel mode of action, because the insecticidal symptoms accompanied by a discriminative contraction of the larval body are distinguished from those of commercial insecticides. It is also very safe for non-target organisms. Flubendiamide is expected to be a suitable agent for controlling lepidopterous insects as part of the insect resistance management and the integrated pest management programs.

The dependence of the emission spectrum of terahertz ͑THz͒ radiation on the geometrical parameters of the dipole antenna, and the relationship between these parameters and the temporal characteristics of the transient current that generate THz radiation, is reported. The emission intensity and the peak frequency strongly depend on these geometrical parameters. This dependence varies significantly with changes in the temporal characteristics of the transient current. We have also found that the emission efficiency can be increased by increasing the aspect ratio for the dipole.

This study aimed to determine the mode of action of pyflubumide, a novel acaricide under development by Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd. Because of its structural similarity to succinate-dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides, its ability to inhibit mitochondrial complex II was investigated. Pyflubumide exhibited low inhibitory activity on spider mite mitochondria; conversely, its deacylated metabolite (NH-form) showed high mitochondrial inhibitory activity. Pyflubumide was quickly metabolized to its NH-form in the homogenate of spider mites. These results suggest that pyflubumide is a prodrug and that the NH-form is active. Indeed, the NH-form of pyflubumide and the OH-form of cyenopyrafen, a complex II inhibitory acaricide, act on the same enzyme; a double-inhibitor titration assay showed that the binding sites on mitochondrial complex II and/or the manners of binding of these compounds exhibit clear differences. This finding suggests that these two acaricides should be classified into different groups in terms of their mode of action.

Improving soybean growth and tolerance under environmental stress is crucial for sustainable development. Millimeter waves are a radio-frequency band with a wavelength range of 1–10 mm that has dynamic effects on organisms. To investigate the potential effects of millimeter-waves irradiation on soybean seedlings, morphological and proteomic analyses were performed. Millimeter-waves irradiation improved the growth of roots/hypocotyl and the tolerance of soybean to flooding stress. Proteomic analysis indicated that the irradiated soybean seedlings recovered under oxidative stress during growth, whereas proteins related to glycolysis and ascorbate/glutathione metabolism were not affected. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the promotive effect of millimeter waves to glycolysis- and redox-related pathways under flooding conditions. Sugar metabolism was suppressed under flooding in unirradiated soybean seedlings, whereas it was activated in the irradiated ones, especially trehalose synthesis. These results suggest that millimeter-waves irradiation on soybean seeds promotes the recovery of soybean seedlings under oxidative stress, which positively regulates soybean growth through the regulation of glycolysis and redox related pathways.

Pyflubumide is a novel carboxanilide acaricide discovered and developed by Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., that exhibits excellent acaricidal activity against Tetranychus and Panonychus species, including strains that have developed resistance to conventional acaricides. Its safety profile against non-target arthropods is suitable for integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Pyflubumide was registered and launched in Japan in 2015 and Korea in 2017. This paper describes pyflubumide's invention history, synthesis, exploratory synthesis, biological activity, toxicological profile, and mode of action.