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Methoprene

General Information

• Beyond Pesticides Methoprene ChemWatch Factsheet
• Methoprene product names
• Chemical Class: Insect growth regulator biochemical insecticide
• Uses: production of foods including meat, milk, mushrooms, peanuts, rice and cereals;uses on domestic animals (pets) for controlling fleas; targets horn flies, mosquitoes, beetles, tobacco moths, sciarid flies, fleas, fire ants, pharoah ants, midge flies and Indian meal moths
• Alternatives: Agriculture Mosquitoes Fleas Pets
• Beyond Pesticides rating: Toxic

Health Effects

• EPA Acute Toxicity Class: IV (practically non-toxic)
• Cancer: Not documented
• Endocrine Disruption: Not documented
• Reproductive Effects: Not documented
• Neurotoxicity: Not documented
• Kidney/ Liver Damage:Not documented
• Sensitizer/ Irritant: Not documented
• Birth/ Developmental Defects: Not documented

Environmental Effects

• Detected in Groundwater: Not documented
• Detected in Streams: Not documented
• Potential Leacher: Not documented
• Toxic to Birds: Not documented
• Toxic to Fish/ Aquatic Organisms: Yes (4)
• Toxic to Bees: Not documented
• Toxic to Mammals: Not documented
• Long-Range Transport: Not documented

Additional Information

• Regulatory Information:
  • EPA Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) signed (3/1991)
• Supporting information:
  • Extoxnet Methoprene Factsheet (Extension Toxicology Network)
  • PAN Pesticides Database:Methoprene (Pesticide Action Network)
• Key Studies:
  • Hindlimb deformities (ectromelia, ectrodactyly) in free-living anurans from agricultural habitats, Ouellet, M. et. al. 1997. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 33(1):95-104