Technical information

Imidacloprid has an alternative mode of action compared to other insecticides namely blocking the acetylcholine receptor in the postsynaptic nerve. This makes imidacloprid a useful tool in resistance management programmes.

The insecticide provides translaminar activity as well as contact and stomach action. However, the key performance features are: Superior systemic properties and a long residual activity. It is readily absorbed by the plant and further distributed acropetally, with good root-systemic action.

The biological activity spectrum is broad:

• Sucking insects:
  Aphids, whiteflies, leaf and plant hoppers, thrips, scales, mealy bugs, bugs and psyllids.
• Beetles:
  Leaf beetles, weevils, wireworms, grubs and other soil beetles.
• Others:
  Leaf miners, dipteran species, termites and locusts.

Imidacloprid provides a versatile plant protection solution for the farmer with a wide range of application methods and uses in crops:

• Seed treatment (e.g. maize, cereals, beets and cotton).
• Irrigation (drench, droplet, float systems e.g. in vegetables and tobacco).
• Stem application (direct injection or brushing e.g. in hops and citrus).
• In-furrow (e.g. in potatoes and vegetables).
• Granular application (e.g. rice).
• Foliar application (e.g. in pome and stone fruit).

Imidacloprid is approved for use in more than 140 agricultural crops worldwide. However, the main crops are: Vegetables, rice, pome and stone fruits, citrus, tobacco, cotton, potatoes, tomatoes, vine/grapes, maize, cereals and sugar beets.

Application rate ranges:

• Soil application: 200 - 350 g a.i. per ha.
• Foliar application: 20 - 200 g a.i. per ha.
• Seed treatment: 50 - 700 g a.i. per 100 kg seed.

The compound has high selectivity on crops and exhibits low mammalian toxicity. The ADI value is excellent and application rates are low. The favourable toxicological properties provide a high level of operator protection. MRL’s and import tolerances are established in a large number of crops. Safety for beneficial insects is provided by the unique soil application options as well as the products systemic characteristics. Thus, imidacloprid is included in most IPM programmes and guidelines.