Chemical Class and Axonal Sodium Channel Mode of Action
Cypermethrin belongs to the Type II synthetic pyrethroid chemical class containing an alpha-cyano group (IRAC Group 3A).
It prolongs the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels along insect nerve axons, generating repetitive sensory discharges, rapid tremors, total paralysis, and rapid mortality.
- Chemical Class: Type II synthetic pyrethroid with high insecticidal potency per gram
- Rapid Knockdown: Pests exhibit immediate behavioral disorientation and paralysis within minutes of spray contact
- Broad Spectrum: Effective against diverse lepidopteran caterpillars, coleopteran beetles, and dipteran pests
- Rainfast Surface Residue: Strong adherence to leaf cuticles providing dependable rain resistance once spray deposits dry
Target Crops and Destructive Pest Complexes
Cypermethrin 25% EC is registered across commercial field crops, vegetables, and plantation agriculture facing heavy caterpillar defoliation.
In cotton and vegetables, it provides rapid knockdown of bollworms and fruit borers before they bore into fruiting structures.
- Cotton: American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), spotted bollworm, and pink bollworm
- Vegetables (Tomato, Brinjal, Okra): Fruit borer, shoot and fruit borer, and diamondback moth
- Oilseeds (Mustard, Castor): Sawfly larvae, semiloopers, and pod borers
- Cole Crops: Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and cabbage looper caterpillars
Application Precautions and Operator Safety
Because synthetic pyrethroids can induce secondary pest flare-ups (like red spider mites) if used indiscriminately, spray only at economic threshold levels.
Never spray near aquatic water bodies or fish ponds, and avoid spraying during active honeybee foraging hours.
- Water Protection: Keep a minimum 15-meter buffer from open ponds, canals, and streams to protect fish
- Protective Equipment: Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and respiratory masks during preparation
- Resistance Rotation: Alternate with diamide or spinosyn chemistries to preserve pyrethroid susceptibility
Official source
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Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What is cypermethrin 25% EC used for in agriculture?
It is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used to control caterpillars, bollworms, fruit borers, and shoot borers across cotton, vegetables, and pulses.
How fast does cypermethrin act on caterpillars?
It causes rapid paralysis and knockdown within minutes of contact or ingestion of treated plant foliage.
Can frequent pyrethroid spraying cause mite outbreaks?
Yes, repeated use of synthetic pyrethroids can eliminate beneficial predatory mites, occasionally triggering spider mite flare-ups.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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