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E X T O X N E T

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Pesticide Information Profiles

A Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Oregon State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of California at Davis and the Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Michigan State University. Major support and funding was provided by the USDA/Extension Service/National Agricultural Pesticide Impact Assessment Program.

EXTOXNET primary files maintained and archived at Oregon State University

Revised 9/95


FENITROTHION


TRADE OR OTHER NAMES: The active ingredient fenitrothion is found in a variety of commercial insecticides. Trade names for products containing fenitrothion include Accothion, Agrothion, Bay 41831, Cyfen, Cytel, Dicofen, Fenstan, Folithion, Kaleit, Mep, Metathion, Micromite, Novathion, Nuvanol, Pestroy, Sumanone, Sumithion, andVerthion (112, 22, 138, 111, 116). The common name methylnitrophos is used in Eastern Europe( 2).

REGULATORY STATUS: Fenitrothion is a general use pesticide. Check with specific state regulations for local restrictions which may apply. Products containing fenitrothion must bear the Signal Word "Caution" on their label (112). Novathion 500-E with malathion is not marketed in the U.S. (112, 149).

CHEMICAL CLASS: organophosphate

INTRODUCTION: Fenitrothion is a contact insecticide and selective acaricide of low ovicidal properties (120). It belongs to the organophosphate family of insecticides (112, 111). It is considered a cholinesterase inhibitor (13). Fenitrothion is effective against a wide range of pests, i.e. penetrating, chewing and sucking insect pests (coffee leafminers, locusts, rice stem borers, wheat bugs, flour beetles, grain beetles, grain weevils) on cereals, cotton, orchard fruits, rice, vegetables, and forests. It may also be used as a fly, mosquito, and cockroach residual contact spray for farms and public health programs (111, 112, 22). Fenitrothion is also effective against household insects and all of the nuisance insects listed by the World Health Organization. Its effectiveness as a vector control agent for malaria is confirmed by the World Health Organization (111). Fenitrothion is non-systemic, and non-persistent (141, 115, 120). Fenitrothion was introduced in 1959 by both Sumitomo Chemical Company and Bayer Leverkusen and later by American Cyanamid Company (111, 2, 125). Fenitrothion is far less toxic than parathion with a range of insecticidal activity that is very similar and is similar enough in structure to be produced in the same factories. The difference in precursor chemicals might make it somewhat more expensive, but it is heavily used in other countries, including Japan, where parathion has been banned (145). Fenitrothion comes in dust, emulsifiable concentrate, flowable, fogging concentrate, granules, ULV, oil-based liquid spray, and wettable powder formultaions (13, 111, 112, 22). It is available as a 95% concentrate, 50% emulsifiable concentrate, 40% and 50% wettable powder and 2%, 2.5%, 3% and 5% dusts (2, 125). It is compatible with other neutral insecticides (13).

TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

In studies of lesser date moth control, fenitrothion was added to a 1:1 mixture of wheat flour and pollen grains. This mixture was dusted on female clusters of date palms at the time of pollination. Not only did it prove to be effective, but this method of application was less environmentally polluting than the use of high-pressure sprays (141).

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND GUIDELINES

Physical Properties:

Exposure Guidelines:

BASIC MANUFACTURERS:

CHEMINOVA Agro A/S
P.O. Box 9
Lemvig, Dk-7620
Denmark

Sumitomo Chemical America, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154

REFERENCES

References for the information in this PIP can be found in Reference List Number 5


DISCLAIMER: The information in this profile does not in any way replace or supersede the information on the pesticide product label/ing or other regulatory requirements. Please refer to the pesticide product label/ing.