Anvisa approves toxicological assessment of the insecticide dimpropyridaz

Anvisa approved the toxicological evaluation of the insecticide dimpropyridaz, with trademark Efficon, from BASF. Commercial sales in Brazil depend on registration being issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Pyridazines pyrazolcarboxamides (PPCs) are a new class of insecticides discovered and optimized at BASF. Dimpropyridaz is the first PPC to be submitted for registration and controls many species of aphids, whiteflies and other insects.

As noted in the literature, picolinic thioamide, the original "hit" active only in aphids, was the starting point for a synthesis program that yielded PPCs with an expanded spectrum, including whiteflies and other piercing-sucking insects, leading to selection of dimpropyridaz for commercialization.

According to information from company scientists, PPCs are a new class of chordotonal organ modulating insecticides with a different mode of action than IRAC groups 9 and 29. PPCs containing a secondary amide ligand are significantly more active than their counterparts tertiary amide counterparts in "ex vivo" assays.

Activation by stretching of chordotonal organs involves mechanotransduction and amplification processes, with Ca2+ influx through Nan-Iav TRPV channels leading to the generation of action potential.

Dimpropyridaz acts independently of the target of flonicamide, decreasing calcium levels in the chordotonal organs and thereby disrupting chordotonal organ function. Inhibition occurs at a site upstream of TRPVs and is independent of TRPV, providing a new mode of action for resistance management.

Evaluation by Ibama and evaluation and completion of the registration process by the Ministry of Agriculture are still necessary to obtain authorization to use the product. It is imagined that the new technology will be used in Brazil mainly for the management of sucking insects such as leafhoppers, whiteflies and aphids. The product is also in the registration phase in other countries, including Latin America, following their legal procedures.