Targeted Delivery of Emamectin Benzoate
Ian Shirley
Syngenta.
Crop consuming Lepidoptera species have been specifically targeted using emamectin benzoate in a triggered release microcapsule where base sensitive ester cleavable weak links are incorporated into the wall. There is minimal release of the insecticide when the microcapsule is sprayed on foliage thereby protecting beneficial insects from exposure to the insecticide. However the alkaline nature of Lepidoptera guts triggers release if the capsules are consumed. The chemistry of the capsules and the biology will be discussed together with methods (via University collaborations) to analyse the composition of the capsule wall and to measure the release rate of the insecticide from individual capsules.
