Metofluthrin: Novel pyrethroid insecticide and innovative mosquito control agent

Metofluthrin (SumiOnesup(R), Eminencesup(R)) is an exciting novel pyrethroid discovered by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. It was registered in Japan in January 2005 and is under worldwide development for environmental health use. Metofluthrin has extremely high knockdown activity against various insect pests, especially mosquitoes, as well as high volatility and low mammalian toxicity. This is applicable to not only existing mosquito-controlling devices such as mosquito mats and coils, but also various new formulations and devices such as paper emanators, fan-driven devices, and resin formulations. Metofluthrin is more than 40 times as active as d-allethrin against southern house mosquitoes when used in mosquito coils. This paper describes the story behind the discovery of metofluthrin and its efficacy against mosquitoes in various formulations.