The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) was formed in 1984 and works as a specialist technical group of the industry association CropLife to be able to provide a coordinated industry response to prevent or delay the development of insecticide resistance in insect, mite and nematode pests. IRAC strives to facilitate communication and education on insecticide and traits resistance as well as to promote the development and facilitate the implementation of insecticide resistance management strategies.
IRAC is recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations as an advisory body on matters pertaining to insecticide resistance.
Pesticideresistance.org is a database financed by IRAC, US Department of Agriculture, and others.
Sponsors
IRAC's sponsors are: ADAMA, BASF, Bayer CropScience, Corteva, FMC, Mitsui Chemicals, Nihon Nohyaku, Sumitomo Chemical, Syngenta and UPL.4
Mode of action classification
IRAC publishes an insecticide mode of action (MoA) classification that lists most common insecticides and acaricides and recommends that "successive generations of a pest should not be treated with compounds from the same MoA Group".56 IRAC assigns a mode of action (MoA) to an insecticide, based on sufficient scientific data.7 They then update the mode of action (MoA) classification.8 Several insecticides and classes of insecticide may act through the same mode of action.9
Classes of Insecticide
If an insecticide is successful, follow-on insecticides, based on the chemical structure of the first in class (prototype) insecticide, may be developed either by the original company or by competitors. Sought after are insecticides which have improved properties or which kill different orders or species of insect. The resulting classes of insecticides are named by IRAC after common usage has been established, although alternative names may be found in the scientific literature.
Table of modes of action and classes of insecticide
In the table the number of insecticides listed in each class is given, and an example of each class. The number of insecticides in the IRAC class listing as of 2024[update] is given in column Nr (A). The number in the Compendium of Pesticide Common Names10 (insecticide + acaricide) is given in column Nr (B), although the name given there to the class historically is often different to the IRAC class name.
| IRACcode | Mode of action | Class | Nr (A) | Nr (B) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 A | Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors | Carbamates | 26 | 52 | Carbofuran |
| 1 B | Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors | Organophosphates | 66 | 171 | Chlorpyrifos |
| 2 A | GABA-gated chloride channel blockers | Cyclodiene organochlorines | 2 | 17 | Endosulfan |
| 2 B | GABA-gated chloride channel blockers | Phenylpyrazoles (Fiproles) | 2 | 7 | Fipronil |
| 3 A | Sodium channel modulators | Pyrethroids, Pyrethrins | 43 | 84 | Permethrin |
| 3 B | Sodium channel modulators | DDT, Methoxychlor | 2 | 20 | DDT |
| 4 A | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Neonicotinoids | 7 | 11 | Imidacloprid |
| 4 B | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Nicotine | 1 | 1 | Nicotine |
| 4 C | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Sulfoximines | 1 | 1 | Sulfoxaflor |
| 4 D | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Butenolides | 1 | 1 | Flupyradifurone |
| 4 E | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Mesoionics | 3 | 3 | Triflumezopyrim |
| 4 F | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators | Pyridylidenes | 1 | 1 | Flupyrimin |
| 5 | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators - Site I | Spinosyns | 2 | 2 | Spinosad |
| 6 | Glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) allosteric modulators | Avermectins, Milbemycins | 4 | 10 | Abamectin |
| 7 A | Juvenile hormone receptor modulators | Juvenile hormone analogues | 3 | 7 | Methoprene |
| 7 B | Juvenile hormone receptor modulators | Fenoxycarb | 1 | 1 | Fenoxycarb |
| 7 C | Juvenile hormone receptor modulators | Pyriproxyfen | 1 | 1 | Pyriproxyfen |
| 8 A | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Alkyl halides | > 3 | 10 | 1,3-dichloropropene |
| 8 B | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Chloropicrin | 1 | 1 | Chloropicrin |
| 8 C | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Fluorides | 2 | 5 | Sulfuryl fluoride |
| 8 D | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Borates | 5 | 2 | Boric acid |
| 8 E | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Tartar emetic | 1 | 0 | Tartar emetic |
| 8 F | Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors | Methyl isothiocyanate generators | 3 | 2 | Dazomet |
| 9 B | Chordotonal Organ TRPV Channel Modulators | pyridine azomethine derivatives | 2 | 2 | Pymetrozine |
| 9 D | Chordotonal Organ TRPV Channel Modulators | Pyropenes | 1 | 1 | Afidopyropen |
| 10 A | Mite growth inhibitors affecting CHS1 | Clofentezine, Diflovidazin, Hexythiazox | 3 | 5 | Clofentezine |
| 10 B | Mite growth inhibitors affecting CHS1 | Etoxazole | 1 | 1 | Etoxazole |
| 11 A | Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes | Bacillus thuringiensis and the insecticidal proteins they produce | 4 | n.a. | n.a. |
| 11 B | Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes | Bacillus sphaericus | 1 | n.a. | n.a. |
| 12 A | Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase | Diafenthiuron | 1 | 1 | Diafenthiuron |
| 12 B | Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase | Organotin miticides | 3 | 8 | Cyhexatin |
| 12 C | Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase | Propargite | 1 | 4 | Propargite |
| 12 D | Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase | Tetradifon | 1 | 2 | Tetradifon |
| 13 | Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation via disruption of the proton gradient | Pyrroles, Dinitrophenols, Sulfluramid | 3 | 8 | Chlorfenapyr |
| 14 | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers | Nereistoxin analogues | 4 | 5 | Thiocyclam |
| 15 | Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis affecting CHS1 | Benzoylureas | 11 | 15 | Lufenuron |
| 16 | Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1 | Buprofezin | 1 | 1 | Buprofezin |
| 17 | Moulting disruptor, Dipteran | Cyromazine | 1 | 1 | Cyromazine |
| 18 | Ecdysone receptor agonists | Diacylhydrazines | 4 | 6 | Tebufenozide |
| 19 | Octopamine receptor agonists | Amitraz | 1 | 7 | Amitraz |
| 20 A | Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors – Qo site | Hydramethylnon | 1 | 1 | Hydramethylnon |
| 20 B | Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors – Qo site | Acequinocyl | 1 | 1 | Acequinocyl |
| 20 C | Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors – Qo site | Fluacrypyrim | 1 | 4 | Fluacrypyrim |
| 20 D | Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors – Qo site | Bifenazate | 1 | 1 | Bifenazate |
| 21 A | Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors | METI acaricides and insecticides | 6 | 9 | Tebufenpyrad |
| 21 B | Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors | Rotenone | 1 | 1 | Rotenone |
| 22 A | Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers | Oxadiazines | 1 | 1 | Indoxacarb |
| 22 B | Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers | Semicarbazones | 1 | 1 | Metaflumizone |
| 23 | Inhibitors of acetyl-CoA carboxylase | Tetronic and Tetramic acid derivatives | 5 | 6 | Spirotetramat |
| 24 A | Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors | Phosphides | 4 | 3 | Phosphine |
| 24 B | Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors | Cyanides | 3 | 3 | Sodium cyanide |
| 25 A | Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors | Beta-ketonitrile derivatives | 2 | 6 | Cyenopyrafen |
| 25 B | Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors | Carboxanilides | 1 | 1 | Pyflubumide |
| 28 | Ryanodine receptor modulators | Diamides | 5 | 19 | Chlorantraniliprole |
| 29 | Chordotonal organ nicotinamidase inhibitors | Flonicamid | 1 | 2 | Flonicamid |
| 30 | GABA-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators | Meta-diamides, Isoxazolines | 3 | 15 | Broflanilide |
| 31 | Baculoviruses | Granuloviruses (GVs), Nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPVs) | 4 | n.a. | Cydia pomonella GV |
| 32 | Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (nAChR) Allosteric Modulators - Site II | GS-omega/kappa HXTX-Hv1a peptide | 1 | n.a. | GS-omega/kappa HXTX-Hv1a peptide |
| 33 | Calcium‐activated potassium channel (KCa2) modulators | Acynonapyr | 1 | 1 | Acynonapyr |
| 34 | Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors – Qi site | Flometoquin | 1 | 1 | Flometoquin |
| 35 | RNA Interference mediated target suppressors | Ledprona | 1 | 2 | Ledprona |
| 36 | Chordotonal organ modulators – undefined target site | Pyridazine pyrazolecarboxamides | 1 | 1 | Dimpropyridaz |
| 37 | Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) inhibitor | Oxazosulfyl | 1 | 1 | Oxazosulfyl |
| UN | Compounds of unknown or uncertain MoA | many various classes | 10 | 83 | Benzoximate |
| UNB | Bacterial agents (non-Bt) of unknown or uncertain MoA | class not defined | 2 | n.a. | Wolbachie pipientis (Zap) |
| UNE | Botanical essence including synthetic, extracts and unrefined oils with unknown or uncertain MoA | class not defined | 5 | n.a. | neem oil |
| UNF | Fungal agents of unknown or uncertain MoA | class not defined | 6 | n.a. | Beauveria bassiana strains |
| UNM | Non-specific mechanical and physical disruptors | class not defined | 3 | n.a. | Mineral Oil |
| UNP | Peptides of unknown or uncertain MoA | no examples | none | n.a. | no examples |
| UNV | Viral agents (non-baculovirus) of unknown or uncertain MoA | no examples | none | n.a. | no examples |
See also
Further reading
- Casida, John E. (2012). "The Greening of Pesticide–Environment Interactions: Some Personal Observations". Environmental Health Perspectives. 120 (4): 487–493. doi:10.1289/ehp.1104405. ISSN 0091-6765. PMC 3339468. PMID 22472325.
External links
- IRAC website home page
- Ralf Nauen, PhD IRAC Chairman (September 2012). "Activities of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC)" (PDF). EPPO Resistance Panel Meeting, Paris.
- Insecticide Resistance Management from IRAC on YouTube
References
Sparks, Thomas C; Storer, Nicholas; Porter, Alan; Slater, Russell; Nauen, Ralf (2021). "Insecticide resistance management and industry: the origins and evolution of the I nsecticide R esistance A ction C ommittee (IRAC) and the mode of action classification scheme". Pest Management Science. 77 (6): 2609–2619. doi:10.1002/ps.6254. ISSN 1526-498X. PMC 8248193. PMID 33421293. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8248193 ↩
Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (April 2007). "Resistance Management for Sustainable Agriculture and Improved Public Health" (PDF). Croplife. https://croplife.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf_files/IRAC-Resistant-Management-for-Sustainable-Agriculture-and-Improved-Public-Health.pdf ↩
"Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database". Michigan State University. Retrieved 2024-12-10. https://www.pesticideresistance.org/ ↩
"IRAC / Our sponsors". IRAC. Retrieved 4 December 2024. http://www.irac-online.org/about/our-sponsors/ ↩
"Interactive MoA Classification". Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2021-04-01. http://irac-online.org/modes-of-action/ ↩
Sparks, Thomas C.; Nauen, Ralf (2015). "IRAC: Mode of action classification and insecticide resistance management". Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology. 121. Elsevier BV: 122–128. doi:10.1016/j.pestbp.2014.11.014. ISSN 0048-3575. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.pestbp.2014.11.014 ↩
"Mode of Action Team". Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. Retrieved 5 December 2024. https://irac-online.org/teams/mode-of-action/ ↩
"Interactive MoA Classification". Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2021-04-01. http://irac-online.org/modes-of-action/ ↩
Sparks, Thomas C.; Crossthwaite, Andrew J.; Nauen, Ralf; Banba, Shinichi; et al. (2020). "Insecticides, biologics and nematicides: Updates to IRAC's mode of action classification - a tool for resistance management". Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology. 167: 104587. doi:10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104587. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.pestbp.2020.104587 ↩
"Classification of Pesticides". BCPC: Compendium of Pesticide Common Names. Retrieved 5 December 2024. http://www.bcpcpesticidecompendium.org/class_pesticides.html ↩