Flubendiamide’s effect on invasive destructive worms like armyworms, bollworms, borers, and loopers with low impact on beneficial insects makes it a “silver bullet” insecticide. However, many adaptable pests like diamondback moth have been seen to develop resistance against Flubendiamide in just 18 months of application. Many cases of such resistant pests were also registered in the 2010s in Asia and America.
Additionally, the aquatic risks associated with Flubendiamide led to its ban in the United States in 2016. So, the eroding field performance and mounting regulatory pressure have pushed farmers to seek effective and non-toxic alternatives. In this blog, we will explore those options with their advantages and side effects.
Alternative products for Flubendiamide
The following alternatives are additional tools for farmers to manage pests on their farms, as Flubendiamide faces restrictions and pest resistance. While none of these alternatives are perfect, farmers can rotate their usage to delay resistance and maintain effective pest control.
1. Chlorantraniliprole
Chlorantraniliprole was launched in 2008 and is currently used in over 100 countries. Like Flubendiamide, it is a Ryanodine receptor activator that affects muscle contraction and mobility in target pests. Its primary targets include Lepidoptera (armyworms, borers, and caterpillars) and also some beetles and leafminers.
Pros
- Extremely effective at low doses with long residual action
- Used to control a wide range of pests and insects (apart from caterpillars)
- Mostly safe for mammals, being an environmentally sensitive approach to pest control
Cons
- Heavy usage can cause pest resistance
- It can result in Flubendiamide resistance due to similar mode of action
- Relatively expensive when compared to insecticides
Explore buying and manufacturing options for chlorantraniliprole
2. Cyantraniliprole
Cyantraniliprole is a group 28 diamide and was first introduced in the mid-2010s. It targets lepidopteran larvae and certain sucking pests like aphids, whiteflies, and leafminers. While the insecticide has a similar mode of action to Flubendiamide, where it activates ryanodine receptors of insects, it targets a much broader range of pests.
Pros
- It can control both caterpillars and sap-feeding insects, reducing the need for multiple sprays
- Flexibility of use in different crops
- It can be used as soil drench or foliar because of its systemic and translaminar properties
Cons
- Being a group 28 diamide means it can cause pests resistant to flubendiamide or chlorantraniliprole
- It can be harmful to pollinators
- EPA showed that cyantraniliprole is likely to adversely affect about 41% of endangered or threatened species
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3. Spinosad
Spinosad can be particularly effective against caterpillars, thrips, and leaf miners while also suppressing some beetles and flies. As a Group 5 Spinosyn, it activates neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to overstimulation and paralysis of the insect nervous system. Spinosad is widely used in vegetables, fruits, and organic farming.
Pros
- Naturally derived insecticide with high effectiveness
- Relatively favorable environmental profile with dry residues having little to no effect on bees or beneficial insects
- It is considered IPM-friendly and is approved for organic use
Cons
- Resistance can develop in certain pests if overused – for example, thrips have developed spinosad resistance
- Highly toxic to bees when wet, so spraying must be timed
- Larger larvae or pests in protected spots may not get a lethal dose because it needs to be
Explore more about spinosad and its manufacturers
4. Indoxacarb
Indoxacarb was first registered around the 2000s as a reduced-risk” OP replacement. It acts as a blocker for voltage-dependent sodium channels in insects and prevents the generation and propagation of action potentials, which are crucial for nerve and muscle function. Indoxacarb primarily targets lepidopteran larvae such as beet armyworm, cotton bollworm, cabbage looper, and some non-lepidopteran pests.
Pros
- Effective against many caterpillars that plague field and vegetable crops
- Causes pests to stop feeding quickly and control populations that are resistant to older insecticides
- Its mode of activity results in low impact on predators and parasitoids
Cons
- After contact/ingestion of the poison, it may take 1-2 days for insects to die
- Pests like Spodoptera and Helicoverpa have been found to develop resistance due to excessive use
- It is moderately toxic to some non-target beneficial wasps and can also be harsh on aquatic life
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5. Emamectin Benzoate
Emamectin Benzoate is derived from a fermentation product (avermectin) and causes paralysis in target pests by activating glutamate-gated chloride channels. This makes it quite effective on difficult caterpillars like diamondback moth, codling moth, armyworms, fruit borers, etc.
Pros
- Highly potent even against pests that have developed resistance to other classes.
- Selective control over a broad spectrum of lepidopteran pests
- Prevents crop damage by stopping pests very quickly
Cons
- It is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms and bees if directly exposed
- It lacks systemic movement (foliar only), so timing and coverage are critical
Explore more about Emamectin Benzoate and its manufacturers
6. Methoxyfenozide
Methoxyfenozide is a Group 18 Diacylhydrazine that affects the ecdysone receptor in caterpillars by mimicking the molting hormone and causing a lethal premature molt. It exclusively targets the Lepidopteran larvae like budworms, armyworms, and leafrollers while protecting almonds, apples and multiple vegetables.
Pros
- Highly selective IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) that targets caterpillars while being gentle on non-targets
- The molting mode of action stops feeding immediately
- Provides consistent control with several days of protection
Cons
- Only effective on moth larvae; not affecting other pests like aphids and beetles
- Might not affect larger larvae or those nearing pupation
- It’s most effective when caterpillar pressure is low to moderate and in combination with other measures
7. Bacillus thuringiensis
Bacillus thuringiensis is a group 11A microbial that targets the caterpillar larvae of various moths/butterflies by destroying their midgut cells when ingested. It is extremely safe to use as it is harmless to plants, mammals, birds, and most beneficial insects.
Pros
- It can be applied close to harvest with no residue concerns
- Not harmful to predators like ladybugs or parasitoid wasps
Cons
- It needs to be ingested by pests, so timing and coverage are crucial
- Works slowly—larvae stop feeding soon after ingestion but may take days to die
- It down quickly in sunlight, so frequent reapplication is needed during heavy infestations
8. Azadirachtin
Azadirachtin is derived from the neem tree and is the principal active in many neem oil-based bio-insecticides. It targets a wide range of pests like aphids, whiteflies, leaf miners, caterpillars, thrips, etc, but doesn’t usually kill them outright, instead deterring feeding and growth.
Pros
- It is natural and eco-friendly with low toxicity to beneficial organisms
- Repels a wide range of insects, reducing crop damage in a gentle way
Cons
- Low residual power requiring more frequent application
- It isn’t effective against heavy infestations
- Neem formulations vary in azadirachtin content, and efficacy can be inconsistent
Explore more about Azadirachtin and its manufacturers
9. Pyrethroid Insecticides
Pyrethroid is a group 3a insecticide that is effective against most insect pests, including caterpillars, beetles, bugs, flies, and even mites (to some extent). It affects the sodium channel modulators in nerve cells, causing repeated firing leading to paralysis.
Pros
- Fast-acting and cost-effective
- Its broad-spectrum means a single spray can suppress multiple pest types at once
- Relatively longer residuals on foliage requiring less frequent application
Cons
- Non-selective and prone to causing pest resurgence
- They often wipe out beneficial predators and parasitoids, which can lead to secondary pest outbreaks
- Quite toxic to aquatic life and pollinators like bees
10. Chlorfenapyr
Chlorfenapyr is a group 13 Pyrrole that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in insect mitochondria, leading to energy production failure. It is often used in vegetable and cotton farming to control hard-to-kill pests like Helicoverpa and Spodoptera. Some field studies in Asia found chlorfenapyr to be highly effective on diamondback moth, fruit borers, and other vegetable pests.
Pros
- Novel mode of action that works even on pests resistant to neurotoxins.
- It is considered to have low toxicity to many natural enemies
- More effective against certain pests compared to spinosad and flubendiamide
Cons
- Its broad-spectrum can harm some beneficials, especially parasitoids
- It is toxic to bees (caution category II for bee safety) and should not be applied during bloom
- Degrades slower than some products, leading to residues affecting non-target insects
