Summary of Toxicological Studies on Acequinocyl


J. Pestic. Sci. 26, 433-438 (2001)

Acequinocyl, active ingredient of Acequinocyl 15% SC, is a novel naphthoquinone derivative which was synthesized in the 1970s for use in control of plant parasitic mites in the agricultural field. This novel chemical has a unique mode of action in mite species, namely inhibition of the electron transfer system by binding hydroxy Acequinocyl with the Qo center at complex III in mitochondria after hydrolysis in mite body (Y. Koura et al., 1997), and has excellent miticidal activity against a wide range of plant mite species at all development stages including the egg stage without any cross resistance towards other commercial miticides. After expending many years in developing formulation which would ensure optimum biological activity, official efficacy trials were initiated in a wide range of crops in co-operation with the Japan Plant Protection Association. Acequinocyl 15% SC is used widely in Japan to control plant mite species incorporated into IPM program since it was first registered here in 1999, and maintains excellent efficacy without any sign of developing miticide resistance. This product is also registered in Korea and Taiwan, and many field trials are being conducted with this product in the US and European countries for the purpose of registration in these countries.