Flufenoxuron

Flufenoxuron is used for the control of many phytophagous mites (Aculus, Brevipalpus, Pananychus, Phyllocoptuuta, Tetuanychus, spp) and insect pests on pome fruit, vines, citrus, tea, cotton, maize, vegetables and ornamentals. It is also used as a public hygiene insecticide.

Flufenoxuron is an known insecticide and acts as an insect growth regulator by inhibiting chitin synthesis.

ChEBI: Flufenoxuron is a benzoylurea insecticide, a member of monochlorobenzenes, a member of (trifluoromethyl)benzenes, a member of monofluorobenzenes and a difluorobenzene. It has a role as a mite growth regulator. It derives from a diphenyl ether.

Information on the metabolism of flufenoxuron is avilable in a Pesticides Safety Directorate review of its use as a public hygiene insecticide (PSD).

The DT₅₀ of flufenoxuron (25 °C) was 267 days at pH 7,206 days at pH 5 and 36.7 days at pH 9 (PM).
Flufenoxuron underwent photodegradation to form 2,6-difluorobenzamide (2), the urea derivative 3 and the 4-aminodiphenyl ether 4 in aqueous solution under natural sunlight in the UK (PSD, 1995).

Flufenoxuron acts in a similar manner to diflubenzuron, reducing chitin incorporation in the cuticJe (Clarke and Jewess 1990). It has cuticular and stomach action. It has ovo-Iarvicidal activity. Treated adults lay non-viable eggs (Tomlin 1995).