Flavesone: A Novel Insecticide For The Controlof Urban Pests

Abstract:
Flavocide® is based on a beta-triketone molecule, flavesone, that is produced by synthetic chemical means. Flavesone exists in nature in a number of plant species but at low abundance. Initial testing suggests a unique mode of action with potential in addressing the increasing problem of resistance to existing classes of insecticides. Flavesone has been initially formulated as an emulsion-in-water (EW) for use in a range of agricultural and public health applications. It is this formulation that was used in urban pest studies. Flavesone was effective as a direct spray in small chamber studies against Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Musca domestica. Flavesone also demonstrated residual contact activity against these insects and Ctenocephalides felis. Other groups have also shown that flavesone demonstrated residual contact activity against Anopheles sp.. Flavesone is a novel insecticide, which has the potential to be useful in the management of insecticide resistant urban pest populations.