Flonicamid, a novel insecticide with a rapid inhibitory effect on aphid feeding

Abstract

Flonicamid (IKI220; N-cyanomethyl-4-trifluoromethylnicotinamide), a pyridinecarboxamide compound, is a novel systemic insecticide with selective activity against hemipterous pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, and thysanopterous pests. The purpose of this study is to clarify the biological properties of flonicamid against aphids. Flonicamid is very active against aphids, regardless of differences in species, stages and morphs. This compound inhibited the feeding behaviour of aphids within 0.5 h of treatment without noticeable poisoning symptoms such as convulsion, and this antifeeding activity was not recoverable until death. The nymphs born from adults exposed to flonicamid for 3 h showed high mortality. The effect of flonicamid on the feeding activity of an individual aphid was studied using electronic monitoring of insect feeding behaviour (EMIF). Although the treated aphid attached the head of its proboscis to the leaf surface, salivation and sap feeding were strongly inhibited. These results suggest that the main insecticidal mechanism of flonicamid is starvation based on the inhibition of stylet penetration to plant tissues.

Toxicity, mode of action, and synergist potential of flonicamid against mosquitoes

“…1) as a major metabolite [4] and active principle [5]. Upon spray treatment, aphids are able to attach to the plant, but salivation and sap feeding are limited or completely blocked [6]; therefore, mortality is presumably caused by starvation. Flonicamid also has a favorable toxicological profile, with low toxicity to birds, fish, bees, and mammals (male rat oral LD 50 = 884 mg/kg) [3].…”

Indirect Effects of Pesticides on Natural Enemies

“…Selective feeding blockers, which include flonicamid and pymetrozine, inhibit the feeding activity of piercing-sucking insects (aphids and whiteflies) after initial insertion of their stylets into plant tissues and interfere with neural regulation of fluid intake through the mouthparts resulting in starvation [125][126][127][128][129][130]. It was reported by [130] that both flonicamid and pymetrozine, did not negatively affect the development time, fertility, and parasitism of a variety of natural enemies including the hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus; the carabid beetle, Bembidion lampros; the parasitoid, Aphidius rhopalosiphi; the ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata; and the rove beetle, Aleochara bilineata under laboratory conditions.…”

Simultaneous Determination of Six Insecticides in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) by UHPLC-MS/MS

“…Clothianidin, the newest member of the chloronicotinyl insecticide family, it has a high activity against a broad range of insects, including sucking insects, chewing insects, and some lepidopterans [6]. Flonicamid can be against to the aphids and other sucking insects and whiteflies, and other pests [7]. The Chemical structures of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin and flonicamid are represented in Figure 1.…”