The information in this profile may be out-of-date. It was last revised in 1996. EXTOXNET no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

Please visit the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) to find updated pesticide fact sheets. If you don't find a fact sheet related to your question, feel free to call 1-800-858-7378. NPIC is open five days a week from 8:00am to 12:00pm Pacific Time.





E X T O X N E T

Extension Toxicology Network

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 June 1996


Methoprene


Trade and Other Names: Trade names include Altosid, Apex, Diacan, Dianex, Kabat, Minex, Pharorid, Precor, and ZR-515.

Regulatory Status: Methoprene is a slightly to practically nontoxic compound in EPA toxicity class IV. It is a General Use Pesticide (GUP). Labels for containers of products containing methoprene must bear the Signal Word CAUTION.

Chemical Class: Not Available

Introduction: Methoprene is a compound which mimics the action of an insect growth regulation hormone. It is used as an insecticide because it interferes with the normal maturation process. In a normal life cycle, an insect goes from egg to larva, to pupa, and eventually to adult. Methoprene artifically stunts the insects' development, making it impossible for insects to mature to the adult stages, and thus preventing them from reproducing.

To be effective, it is essential that this growth inhibitor be administered at the proper stage of the target pest's life cycle. Methoprene is not toxic to the pupal or adult stages. Treated larvae will pupate but adults do not hatch from the pupal stage. Methoprene is also considered a larvicide since it is effective in controlling the larval stage of insects. Methoprene is used in the production of a number of foods including meat, milk, eggs, mushrooms, peanuts, rice, and cereals. It is also used in aquatic areas to control mosquitoes and several types of ants, flies, lice, moths, beetles, and fleas. It is available in suspension, emulsifiable and soluble concentrate formulations, as well as in briquette, aerosol, and bait form.

Formulation: It is available in suspension, emulsifiable and soluble concentrate formulations, as well as in briquette, aerosol and bait form.

Toxicological Effects:

Ecological Effects:

Environmental Fate:

Physical Properties:

Exposure Guidelines:

Basic Manufacturer:

Zoecon Corp.
12005 Ford Rd., Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75234

References:

References for the information in this PIP can be found in Reference List Number 10




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