What is Diflubenzuron?Uses,Environmental toxicity

Diflubenzuron is an insecticide of the benzoylurea class.It is used in forest management and on field crops to selectively control insect pests, particularly forest tent caterpillar moths, boll weevils, gypsy moths, and other types of moths.It is a widely used larvicide in India for control of mosquito larvae by public health authorities. Diflubenzuron is approved by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme.

Uses

Diflubenzuron, 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐(2,6‐difluorobenzoyl)urea, possesses larvicidal and ovicidal activities. On larvae it acts mainly as a stomach poison, yet it sometimes exhibits important contact activity. Though all instars can be controlled, older instars are generally less susceptible than younger ones. Histological inspections of Leptinotarsa decemlineata larvae revealed that after ending exposure to the compound, distortions in newly deposited cuticular layers decreased gradually. Ovicidal effects resulted from direct contact of diflubenzuron with eggs or from contamination of females by contact or feeding. Electron microscopic observations of embryos of Leptinotarsa decemlineata, contaminated via the female, also showed disturbed cuticule formation, suggesting a similar activity of the compound in larvae and in eggs.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of diflubenzuron involves inhibiting the production of chitin which is used by an insect to build its exoskeleton. It triggers insect larvae to molt early without a properly formed exoskeleton, resulting in the death of the larvae.

Environmental toxicity

Diflubenzuron has been evaluated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it is classified as non-carcinogenic. 4-Chloroaniline, a metabolite of diflubenzuron which has been classified as a carcinogen, is produced after diflubenzuron has been ingested. The small amount converted to 4-chloroaniline after ingestion is not sufficient to cause cancer.