Milbemectin is a mixture of milbemectin A3 (30%) and milbemectin
A4 (70%). It is an active acaricide, produced from fermentation
products of soil microorganisms Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. Aureo-
lacrirnosus. Milbemectin is highly active on various phytophagous mites
on tea, pome fruits, stone fruits, citrus, watermelon, strawberry and egg
plants. It is also an insecticide active against aphid, cutworm, leafroller
and thrips.
Milbemectin is a mixture of the two most abundant milbemycin analogues, A3 and A4, produced by Streptomyces hydroscopicus subsp. aureolarcrimosus. Originally defined as a mixture of 30% milbemycin A3 and 70% milbemycin A4, our product is specifically blended to meet this specification. Milbemectin is a highly selective and potent insecticide and acaricide used as an agri-chemical for crop protection.
Limited information is available on the environmental fate and metabolism
of the milbemectins. Aolu et al. (1994) reported the ready oxidative
degradation of milbemectins in the environment. Minimal root uptake by
plants occurs and milbemectin dissipates rapidly on plant foliage (DT50 ca.
1 day). Hydroxylation is the primary metabolic reaction of milbemectins
in laboratory animals.
