Understanding the Agrobiology of

Agrochemical Formulations
Insecticide Formulation and Mode of Action
INSECTICIDE MODES OF ACTION – MARKET SHARE

Nerve or
67%
muscle

Growth &
8%
development

Multisite,
respiratory & 25%
other
 INSECTICIDE FORMULATION STRATEGIES – systemics and contacts

Family AI logP Systemicity Activity

Pyridine Pymetrozine -0,2 Systemic, translaminar Ingestion (sucking)

Tetronic acid Spirotetramat 2,5 Systemic, translaminar Ingestion & contact

Nerve or
muscle
Neo- nicotinoids Imidacloprid 0,6 Systemic, translaminar Ingestion (sucking)
Limited systemic,
Carbamates Carbofuran 1,5 Contact & ingestion
translaminar
Growth &
development Limited systemic,
Diamides CTPR 2,8 Ingestion (& contact)
translaminar
Multisite,
respiratory & IGRs Diflubenzuron 3,9 Contact, translaminar Contact & ingestion
other
Phenyl-pyrazole Fipronil 4 Contact Contact & ingestion

Avermectins Abamectin 4,4 Contact, translaminar Contact & ingestion

Spinosyns Spinosad 4,5 Contact, translaminar Contact & ingestion
Organo-
Chlorpyrifos 4,7 Contact Contact & ingestion
phosphates
Pyrethroids Cyhalothrin 6,9 Contact Contact & ingestion
PPDB: Pesticide Properties DataBase - University of Hertfordshire
ePesticide Manual - British Crop Protection Council
Reference Manual for Agronomic Advisors – GRDC, Australia
 INSECTICIDES: MODES OF ENTRY

CONTACT
INTEGUMENT
(cuticle) MOUTHPARTS

SPIRACLE
CONTACT & VAPOR

- 4-
 INSECTICIDE MODES OF ACTION (NEURAL)

Nervous Systems in Insects

INTEGUMENT
MOUTHPARTS
(cuticle)

SPIRACLE CNS
Stomach
Hemolymph

ATI
 INSECTICIDE MODES OF ACTION (NEURAL)
ACh is an activatory neurotransmitter, facilitating post-synaptic neural
activation
Axon

Nerve impulse
terminal

Choline Choline
transporter Na+

ACh Acetyl
coA

AChE Choline
ACh AcOH
Ach receptor

Nerve impulse
Dendrite
Cholinergic
(ACh) synapse
 INSECTICIDE TARGETTING

Direct contact Secondary contact Ingestion (stomach), systemic

Vapour or fumigant Repellant Attractant

 INSECTICIDES – contact and systemic
Contact
Contact insecticides
Benefit Target non-feeding insects
Rapid knockdown, repellent
Fewer residues (MRL)
Multisite (resistance)
Challenge Shorter residual (exposure)
Bloom time application (bees)
Wash-off and pollution
Opportunity Increase rainfastness, UV
stability, repellent solvents
(EC)
Translaminar
Translaminar, locally systemic
Target mites (grazers)
More rainfast, UV stable
Longer residual activity
Medium residues (MRLs)
(Some) phytotoxicity
Single-site (resistance)
Optimize uptake kinetics
Systemic
Systemic insecticides
Target new growth, sucking pests,
pollen feeders
More rainfast, UV stable
Long residual, fewer applications
Reach pollen, flower - beneficials
High residues (MRLs)
Phytotoxicity (systemic
accumulation)
Single-site (resistance)
Optimize uptake kinetics, target
phytotoxicity
 INSECTICIDES – contact and systemic

Translaminar Systemic Contact

INSECTICIDE UPTAKE & TRANSPORT – FOLIAR – CONTACT & SYSTEMIC
 SYSTEMIC INSECTICIDES – MOA & FORMULATION OVERVIEW

1
Nerve or
67% 2 3
muscle
5 4
3
Growth &
8% 2 4
development 1
5

Class Example logP MOA Leaf response Classification Insect activity Form. (S) Form. (L) Adjuvants
Systemic, Ingestion
1.Pyridine Pymetrozine -0,2 Feeding blockers Acropetal DP WP GR Wetter
translaminar (sucking)
Acropetal and
2.Tetronic acid Systemic, Ingestion & Oil (penetrant),
Spirotetramat 2,5 Lipid biosynthesis basipetal; OD SC
derivatives translaminar contact superspreader
translaminar
3.Neo- Nicotinic ACh Acropetal, Systemic, Ingestion NIS / wetter /
Imidacloprid 0,6 FS DP WP GR SL SC OD EC
nicotinoids receptor translaminar translaminar (sucking) organosilicone
Limited
ACh cholinesterase Cuticle, limited Contact &
4.Carbamates Carbofuran 1,5 systemic, FS GR WP SC NIS
inhibitor xylem ingestion
translaminar
Limited
Ingestion (&
5.Diamides CTPR 2,8 Muscle receptors Translaminar systemic, FS GR WG SC NIS
contact)
translaminar
 SUMMARY (INSECTICIDE FORMULATION & ADJUVANT STRATEGIES)

Insecticide a.i., adjuvant and formulation choices are

based on:
• Mode of entry - contact vs ingestion (stomach)
• Uptake – insect (contact), foliar, shoots, roots
(ingestion)
• Translocation – contact, systemic (xylem, phloem),
translaminar
• Solubility – hydrophilic or lipophilic
• Mode of action - nerve / muscle, development,
respiratory, other
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