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Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benzoylureas (BPUs) are chemical derivatives of N-benzoyl-N′-phenylurea, which are used as insecticides.[1] They do not directly kill the insect, but disrupt moulting and egg hatch, and thus act as insect growth regulators. They act by inhibiting chitin synthase,[2] preventing the formation of chitin in the insect's body.
The insecticidal activity of the BPUs was discovered serendipitiously at Phillips-Duphar who commericalised diflubenzuron in 1975.[1] Since then, many BPUs were commercialised by many companies. BPUs accounted for 3% of the $ 18.4 billion world insecticide market in 2018.[3] Lufenuron, was the largest selling BPU in 2016, selling for $ 112 million.[4]
BPUs are active against many types of insect pests, (e.g. lepidoptera coleoptera, diptera) in agriculture,[1][5] as well as being used against termites and animal health pests such as fleas.[6]
The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) lists the following PBUs, which are classified in IRAC group 15.[7] Bistrifluron, Chlorfluazuron, Diflubenzuron, Flucycloxuron, Flufenoxuron, Hexaflumuron, Lufenuron, Novaluron, Noviflumuron, Teflubenzuron, Triflumuron. Many older BPUs are no longer in use.[1][5]
3-(Iodoacetamido)-benzoylurea (3-IAABU) is one of several benzoylurea compounds which have been investigated as potential anticancer agents.[8]
BPUs have a good mammalian tox profile. Diflubenzuron is considered to be of very low acute toxicity, and is approved by the WHO for treatment of drinking water as a mosquito larvicide.[9]
BPUs have low acute toxicity against bees, low to moderate toxicity to fish, but high toxicity to aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans.[1]
BPUs have various rates of degradation in the environment. Some older BPUs have high persistance and are no longer sold.[1] Flufenoxuron was shown to bioaccumulate and was banned in the EU in 2011.[10]
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