Why Isoclast™ active is a new generation of insecticide
Dow AgroSciences developed Isoclast™ active (ISO common name sulfoxaflor) as an innovative insecticide to help farmers control pests in vegetables, fruits, cereals and other important crops. It is a new kind of insecticide that targets the pests that attack crops, while leaving useful insects like bees unharmed when used according to label directions.
How does it do it?
Isoclast acts as agonist at the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the central nervous system resulting in paralysis and death of the targeted pests.
Isoclast belongs to a new and unique class of chemistry, known as the sulfoximines, whose distinct structure is recognised by the body responsible for insecticide classifications, Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC), and backed by extensive scientific literature.
IRAC classified sulfoxaflor, the only commercialised member of the sulfoximines family to date, as an IRAC Group 4C insecticide, distinct from the other Group 4 insecticides such as neonicotinoids (IRAC Group 4A), butenolides (IRAC Group 4D) and mesoionics (IRAC group 4E).
The main difference between the subgroups is their chemical structure: for example, neonicotinoids have at least one amine nitrogen while Isoclast lacks the amine nitrogen.
Sulfoximines do not suffer from the same major insecticide resistance problems as neonicotinoids. Most cases of resistance to neonicotinoids in whiteflies, aphids and brown planthopper are linked to enzymes known as monooxygenases. However, Isoclast is not metabolised by monooxygenase CYP6G1, so there is no metabolic cross-resistance in green peach aphid and whitefly, which are resistant to some other insecticides. The novel chemistry of Isoclast and its robust lack of cross-resistance give it a unique and highly effective mode of action against many crop destroying insects.
Additionally, Isoclast has a low impact on the environment. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) did a thorough evaluation of Isoclast in Europe and confirmed that Isoclast meets the approval criteria relative to efficacy and human and environmental safety protection goals. Isoclast is classified as non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic and non-reprotoxic under the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) classification. It is non-volatile and is rapidly absorbed in crop leaves. It also degrades within a few days in the soil, does not persist in water, and does not transfer to groundwater. Its rapid dissipation associated to absence of residual toxicity makes Isoclast a good partner in IPM programs.
Efficient, targeted and environmentally friendly, Isoclast represents a new generation of insecticide that will help European farmers stay productive and competitive.