Methoprene
| Methoprene[1] | |
|---|---|
| Skeletal formula | |
| Ball-and-stick model | |
| 1-methylethyl (E,E)-11- methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl- 2,4-dodecadienoate | |
| Other names Methoprene, Altosid, Apex, Diacan, Dianex, Kabat, Minex, Pharorid, Precor, ZR-515 | |
| style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 40596-69-8 
|
| PubChem | 5366546 |
| ATCvet code | QP53 |
| SMILES | Script error: No such module "collapsible list". |
| style="background: #F8EABA; text-align: center;" colspan="2" | Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C19H34O3 |
| Molar mass | 310.48 g/mol |
| Appearance | Liquid |
| Boiling point |
100 °C at 0.05 mmHg |
 (what is this?) (verify)Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Methoprene is a juvenile hormone (JH) analog which can be used as an insecticide that acts as a growth regulator. Methoprene is essentially nontoxic to humans when ingested or inhaled. It is used in drinking water cisterns to control mosquitoes which spread malaria.[2]
Methoprene does not kill adult insects. Instead, it acts as a growth regulator, mimicking natural juvenile hormone of insects. Juvenile hormone must be absent for a pupa to molt to an adult, so methoprene treated larvae will be unable to successfully change from a pupa to the adult insect. This breaks the biological life cycle of the insect preventing recurring infestation. "Methoprene is used in the production of a number of foods including meat, milk, mushrooms, peanuts, rice and cereals. It also has several uses on domestic animals (pets) for controlling fleas. Methoprene is considered a biochemical pesticide because rather than controlling target pests through direct toxicity, methoprene interferes with an insect’s life cycle and prevents it from reaching maturity or reproducing."[3] Methoprene is used most widely as the mosquito larvicide Altosid, which is an important measure in prevention of West Nile virus.
Methoprene is an amber liquid with a faint fruity odor. Among its common uses is for indoor control of fleas and it is also used to control fire ants.
It is one of two active ingredients (the other being fipronil) in Frontline Plus, a product for dogs and cats that kills fleas, flea eggs, and ticks.
Used as a food additive in cattle feed. This is done to prevent fly breeding in the dung piles, which is a form of biocontrol.
It has been suggested that methoprene is responsible for killing and stunting the growth of lobsters in Narragansett Bay.[4]
References
- ↑ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 5906.
- ↑ "Methoprene". Water Sanitation and Health. World Health Organization. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ↑ "Insect Growth Regulators: S-Hydroprene (128966), S-Kinoprene (107502), Methoprene (105401), S-Methoprene (105402) Fact Sheet". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
- ↑ "Are our lobsters casualties in war on mosquitoes?". Retrieved 2008-07-18.
External links
- Methoprene Pesticide Fact Sheet - Environmental Protection Agency
- Methoprene Pesticide Information Profile - Extension Toxicology Network
