CLASS 15 INHIBITORS OF CHITIN BIOSYNTHESIS TYPE 0

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It is is Frank the pest geek and we’re going to be discussing class 15 inhibitors of biosynthesis on this edition of the pest geek podcast. Now, what is chitin inhibition? Well, it is what we use a product what is known as a chitin inhibitor which is an insect growth regulator also known as an IGR.

Now what is chitin.

Well Chitin is actually an amino sugar that is used by insects as an element for building that exoskeleton. It’s basically a cellulose sugar product that they make is that crunchy exoskeleton that they have in different colors. And what happens is it’s produces what is through what is known as bio synthesis. It is the coming together or mixing of different elements to create a product.

And that’s what happens with the exoskeleton it is a hormonal product that happens in their body to create those exoskeleton so they’re born sometimes without an actual skeleton sometimes they go through a molting process and they change exoskeletons but if they don’t have bones so they have to create this product.

And what the IGR does is it inhibits the ability for them to make an exoskeleton so a product like Novaluron on aids in that inhibition and what it also does is it causes the damage in the larval stage when they’re young but it also causes damage in the egg stage and especially like in roaches or mosquitoes where it damages the larvae.

[00:01:52] Now chitin metabolism and insect through a product like the Novaluron works mostly by ingestion it does have some contact capabilities but mostly it is through inject and ingestion, so using a class 15 Chitin inhibitor will aid in pest control because it is part of a long-term strategy and every IPM program. So what it does is it could damage the wings of the insect. It could damage part of the antenna. It could damage an eye in the molting process and then they don’t grow up to be reproductive adults so usually it dies in infancy.

The advantage of using an IGR it it is considered a low risk low impact product because it is a synthetic hormone that mimics the one they would naturally lose and it keeps it active in the area. Other IGRS in the class Bistrifluron, Chlorfluazuron, Diflubenzuron, Flucycloxuron, Flufenoxuron, Hexaflumuron, Lufenuron, Novaluron, Noviflumuron, Teflubenzuron, Triflumuron

Remember that insects have to lose hormone in order to grow by keeping it present. It constantly is in the area and therefore it controls usually all stages of growth in an insect.