10 October 2022
The formulation of MOSQUITON has been developed to achieve the controlled release of the active ingredient, novaluron (0.12%) over a long period of time. The Mosquiton tablet contains inert material that helps to disperse the active novaluron in water as an emulsion form and eventually it helps to float the active ingredients uniformly on the water surface. The larvicide is released at a slower and steadier rate in areas of standing water (small or large) that can control around 95-98% of Culex and other mosquito larvae in all the aquatic stages of mosquito development to inhibit adult development. The tablet lasts in the field for a period of 90-150 days depending on the conditions of the water surface.
Development background
Novaluron is an insecticide of the class diflubenzoylureas. The compound shows the killing effect against various larvae of genus Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera. Novaluron has been registered as an insecticide for food crops in many countries, including South Africa, Argentina, and Australia. The United States authorities approved the compound’s registration as a pest control product for floriculture in September 2001. The acute toxicity of novaluron tested on rats through oral, dermal and inhalation administrations show LD50 of novaluron is determined as >5000 mg/kg body weight (bw) for oral dose acute toxicity to male and female rats, >2000 mg/mg bw for dermal treatment acute toxicity to male and female rats, and >5150 mg/m3 for inhalation acute toxicity to male and female rats.
Regarding environmental concerns, novaluron at a dosage of 10 mg ai/m2 had no impact on fishes and aquatic plants in treated areas during and after the experiment. A similar safety profile for novaluron with non-target fauna in riverine pools was also found for guppies (Poecilia reticulata), a native fish species of Sri Lanka (Rosbora daniconis) and aquatic beetles, when applied at concentrations of 0.01-2.5 mg ai/l (Yapabandra, unpublished report to the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme, 2004).
WHO has assessed novaluron for use as a mosquito larvicide in drinking-water in containers, particularly to control dengue fever. The recommended dosage of novaluron in potable water in containers should not exceed 0.05 mg/litre under the WHO Pesticides Evaluation Scheme. In view of the absence of a carcinogenic potential in rodents and the lack of genotoxic potential in vitro and in vivo, the JMPR (Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues) concluded that novaluron is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans. JMPR also concluded that novaluron is not a developmental toxicant (World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, 3rd edition including 1st and 2nd addenda, 2008).
How Mosquiton works?
MOSQUITON 0.12P Novaluron larvicide affects the development of immature stages by disrupting the moulting process. It is an effective means for preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes from water bodies. Consequently, beneficial species are not affected. The use of Mosquiton eliminates the risk of people getting infected by mosquito borne diseases.
How Mosquiton is used?
Apply 1 Tablet (1 gm) per 10 litres of water, the dose will be double if content of organic matter is too high in the water body. In case of a large water body, apply a 10 gm tablet for every metre distance. It can control all kinds of mosquito transmitted diseases including dengue, chikungunya, malaria and Zika.
The formulation is effective for up to 3 months and in a year-round for sub-tropical and tropical locations mosquito control can be achieved with 2-3 applications. MOSQUITON 0.12P Novaluron Insecticide can be used in governmental mosquito control programmes by professional pest control operators or homeowners.
Russell Bio Solutions has been conducted trial in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Thailand to evaluate the efficacy of Mosquiton tablets. In all trial locations, a single treatment of Mosquiton at a dose of 1g (1.2 mg ai novaluron) / m2 provided excellent control of 95-98% of immature larval mortality. The Bangladesh lab trial conducted by Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) against female mosquito larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus at 28 degrees Celsius and 76% humidity.